Wombat, New South Wales

Wombat is a town in South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the Olympic Highway, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south-west of the regional centre of Young. It is in the local government area of Hilltops Council.

Wombat New South Wales
Wombat Hotel, trading continuously since 1877
Wombat
Coordinates	34°25′30″S 148°14′31″E
Population	225 (2016 census)[1]
Established	1865
Postcode(s)	2587
Location	362 km (225 mi) SW of Sydney 14 km (9 mi) S of Young 16 km (10 mi) N of Wallendbeen
LGA(s)	Hilltops Council
State electorate(s)	Cootamundra
Federal division(s)	Hume

History

The area was occupied by the indigenous Wiradjuri people for thousands of years.^{[citation needed]}

• 1860 – Gold discovered at nearby Young. 20,000 miners converge on surrounding areas. Wombat Post Office opened on 16 July 1862.^[2]
• 1865 – The village of Wombat was established. Many Chinese miners moved to the area taking plots of land.^{[citation needed]}
• 1867 – Wombat Public School was founded in a bark hut^{[citation needed]}
• 1873 – foundation stone of St Matthew's Church of England laid^[3]
• 1875 – Roman Catholic Church built^[4]
• 1877 – Wombat Hotel began trading^{[citation needed]}
• 1880 – Carlo Lazzarini, (1880–1952), NSW politician and trade unionist was born in Wombat^[5]
• 1895 – Mechanics Institute opened^[6]
• 1903 – Wombat Hotel's current building constructed^{[citation needed]}
• 1910 – Roman Catholic convent opened^[7]
• 1921 – shop and post office destroyed by fire^[8]
• 1923 – Wombat Soldiers' Memorial hall officially opened^[9]
• 1924 – the old hall was destroyed by fire^[10]
• 1950s & 1960s – The Olympic Way highway was built through^{[citation needed]}

At the 2016 census, Wombat had a population of 225.^[1]

Attractions

• "The Wombat Hotel", which has had a continuous liquor licence since 1877, making it the longest in New South Wales.
• "Allambie Orchard", A cherry orchard that allows people to pick their own fruit in season
• "Wombat Heights", a farm on a hill which produces jam, fruit wine and liqueurs from traditional recipes. Visitors are invited to do-it-themselves.
• "Wilkies Cottage Restaurant/Café".
• "The Old Convent Geranium Nursery", Hope St, offers many colours & varieties of miniatures of variegated, climbing and scented Pelargonium geraniums.

The highway into Wombat is graced with a statue of a wombat, made of local material, which was unveiled in 2002.

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Wombat (state suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
2. Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
3. "Church Jubilee". The Young Witness. New South Wales, Australia. 21 July 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "Consecration of the Wombat Roman Catholic Church". Burrangong Argus. New South Wales, Australia. 2 June 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
5. Nairn, Bede, "Lazzarini, Carlo Camillo (1880–1952)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 24 May 2022
6. "Peculiar Railway Incident". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 17, 926. New South Wales, Australia. 31 August 1895. p. 9. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "Advertising". The Burrangong Argus. New South Wales, Australia. 5 January 1910. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
8. "The Wombat Fire". The Young Witness. New South Wales, Australia. 7 July 1921. p. 1 (Latest Edition). Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "Wombat Soldiers' Memorial". The Young Witness. New South Wales, Australia. 26 July 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "Wombat". The Young Chronicle. Vol. 50, no. 62. New South Wales, Australia. 12 August 1924. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.

External links

Media related to Wombat, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons

• Wombat Public School Website
• Wombat Progress Association History page
• Harden Shire Council Wombat Public School Web Page
• Wombat Early Settlement History