Wingello, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WingelloNew South Wales |
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Wingello railway station
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 Wingello
Location in New South Wales
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| Postcode(s) | 2579 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 682 m (2,238 ft) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Wingecarribee Shire Goulburn Mulwaree Council |
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| Region | Southern Highlands | ||||||||||||||
| County | Camden | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Wingello | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Goulburn | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Hume | ||||||||||||||
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Wingello is a small village in the beautiful Southern Highlands area of New South Wales, Australia. It has its own train station on the NSW TrainLink line. The name 'Wingello' comes from an Aboriginal word meaning to burn.
Contents
Wingello's History
The first place called Wingello was actually a few kilometers west of where the village is today. This original site was on the old Main South Road. In 1824, someone named William Mannix mentioned a place called 'Wanglow', which might have been the first time the name was used.
Early Days and Convicts
Building the Main South Road started in 1834. Convicts in chains were used for this tough work. One of their main camps was at Wingello. It had wooden buildings that acted like a small prison. Soldiers were also stationed there to keep watch. Later, a police hut and a lock-up were built. By 1839, the road workers moved to another camp called Towrang Stockade.
First Families in Wingello
In 1830, Robert Mackay Campbell and his wife Ann Hassall moved to their new farm in Wingello. Their property grew to be very large, about 7,040 acres. Their home was an 11-room cottage with lovely gardens and an orchard. They also had stables, a coach-house, and homes for their servants.
Later, in 1844, a man named Thomas Brown bought the old convict camp site. He built a hotel there called the 'White Horse Inn'. This hotel became an important stop for travelers on the Main South Road. It had 21 rooms and was a place where coaches would stop to rest.
The Arrival of the Railway
A big change for Wingello happened in 1871 when the Wingello railway station opened. After the train station was built, the village started to grow around this new spot, moving away from the old Main South Road.
Recent Events
Bushfires in Wingello
Wingello has faced several serious bushfires over the years.
- 1965 Bushfire: In 1965, a huge fire called the Chatsbury/Bungonia Bushfire caused a lot of damage. It burned for many days. Sadly, 31 homes in Wingello were destroyed.
- 1998 Bushfire: Another fire hit the town in 1998. During this fire, a brave volunteer firefighter named David Quinlivan lost his life. He turned his water tanker to protect his team from the flames, saving their lives. For his heroic actions, he received the highest award from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. Seven other firefighters were also hurt.
- 2020 Bushfire: In January 2020, during the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, Wingello was affected by another bushfire. Several homes were destroyed.
Despite these challenges, Wingello has always recovered. Today, it's known for its peaceful atmosphere. The village is surrounded by beautiful pine and eucalyptus forests. It's about a 1.5-hour drive from both Sydney and Canberra. Many artists, especially writers, enjoy living here because the quiet environment helps them be creative.
What Wingello Offers
Wingello has several useful places for its residents. There's a general store where you can buy everyday items and a post office. It also has its own train station, a public school, and a Rural Fire Service station to help keep the community safe. You can also find a park with a playground for kids.
The village has a cricket oval named after the famous cricketer Bill O'Reilly, who spent some of his childhood in Wingello. There's also a village hall used for local community events.
Nearby, the Wingello State Forest is a popular spot for outdoor activities. People go there for bike rides, rock-climbing, orienteering (a type of navigation sport), and even sled-dog races!
How Many People Live Here?
In 2016, Wingello had a population of 573 people. By the 2021 census, the number of people living in Wingello had grown to 647.
Important Places
Wingello has some places that are listed for their historical importance. One of these is the Wingello railway station itself, which is part of the Main Southern railway line.
Famous People from Wingello
- Bill O'Reilly (cricketer) - A famous Australian cricketer.
