Wallalong, New South Wales

Last updated

Wallalong
New South Wales
Australia New South Wales location map blank.svg
Red pog.svg
Wallalong
Coordinates 32°41′54″S151°39′04″E / 32.69833°S 151.65111°E / -32.69833; 151.65111 Coordinates: 32°41′54″S151°39′04″E / 32.69833°S 151.65111°E / -32.69833; 151.65111
Population938 (2011 census) [1] [Note 1]
 • Density86.9/km2 (224.9/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 2320
Elevation6 m (20 ft) [Note 2]
Area10.8 km2 (4.2 sq mi) [Note 3]
Time zone AEST (UTC+10)
 • Summer (DST) AEDT (UTC+11)
Location
LGA(s) Port Stephens Council [3]
Region Hunter [3]
County Durham [4]
Parish Butterwick [4]
State electorate(s) Port Stephens [5]
Federal Division(s) Paterson [6]
Mean max temp [7] Mean min temp [7] Annual rainfall [7]
29.6 °C
85 °F		6.1 °C
43 °F		925.2 mm
36.4 in
Suburbs around Wallalong:
Woodville Woodville Seaham
Woodville, Largs Wallalong Seaham
Largs Phoenix Park, Hinton Hinton

Wallalong is a rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. [3] [4] The suburb is bisected by High Street, along which a small residential zone of 938 people exists. To the east and west of this area the suburb is almost exclusively rural. [2]

Contents

First inhabitants

On the occasion of nearby Seaham's centenary in 1938, Walter John Enright wrote of the district's traditional owners:

"When the first settlers arrived in Seaham, the land was occupied by the Garewagal, a clan or sept of the Worimi. The territory of the Worimi was bounded by the Hawkesbury and Manning Rivers respectively on the south and north, the ocean on the east, and extended as far west as the junction of Glendon Brook and the Hunter River. The language was called Kattang. It was not as complex as that of the people further north on the coast. The name of the sept is derived from 'gal' or 'kal' meaning a division or clan, and 'Garewa,' the sea. The Hunter was the southern boundary, Port Stephens the north, the ocean the east, and they roamed inland as far as Glendon Junction.They were food gatherers, that is to say, they did not cultivate but gathered whatever was found in a state of nature, whether of vegetable or animal life, except such as were poisonous and in the latter class they did not consider snakes... Totemism was one of the most important features of his (sic) life. Each individual had a totem and there was also a totem for the female clan and another for the male clan, and the Karaji had also a totem. No individul would kill or gather what was his totem...For carrying food, bags of excellent quality were made of native twine as was also the scoop net used for fishing. Water was carried in a hollowed piece of wood or bark. Fishing hooks were made of shell." [8]

On the impacts of colonisation in the Wallalong and Seaham districts, Enright says:

"Within the space of this article it is only possible to touch, and that lightly, on certain aspects of the native life. The newcomers who dispossessed the native of his hunting grounds without compensating him did not understand his language nor did they know his culture. The native was cowed by the power and culture of the white. He was crushed and humiliated when he saw the grounds that were sacred to him profaned and his people despised." [8]

On the subject of massacres of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people by settlers following colonisation, Enright writes:

"History does not tell us of any direct violence offered to the whites in the district of Seaham. It is, fortunately, free of records of those brutal and cowardly massacres, not only of men, but women and children, that are such frightful blots on the history of other parts of our State. Notwithstanding that, not a single full-blooded native of the Williams River is now existing." [8]

Wallalong, however, may not have been entirely without such "frightful blots" on its history. In 1877, a massacre at Wallalong was recounted in correspondance published by the Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser :

"[Traditional owners] suffered a good deal of injustice at the hands of some of the first settlers, and there is now living a man who was present, as he admits, when a party had formed for the purpose of punishing the blacks for pulling the cobs of maize in the field, and carrying it off in their nets to their camps. Observing some smoke rising from the midst of the Wallalong bush, they armed themselves with muskets, and reached unobserved the camp, where a considerable number of men, women, and children were. They fired at once upon them, killing some and wounding others. The rest fled through the bush, pursued by the whites, and the whole of the natives took to the water intervening between the brush and the high land, towards which it gradually deepened, and some of the poor creatures were drowned. My informant, now a very old man, while expressing regret as to occurrence, said the worst part of the whole affray was, they afterwards discovered, that not one of those who were "wanted" was among them. [9] "

Reflecting on the massacre, the correspondant goes on to remark that:

"The haymakers in the Wallalong fields have little suspected the occurrence of these tragical scenes on the exact spots where they have stood when engaged in their peaceful occupation. [9] "

While the exact location of the massacre is not provided, an account of floods in 1857 describes how "the first breach it made was at Wallalong, whence the water gradually found its way over a considerable portion of Bowthorne, Hopewell, Barty's Swamps (sic), and all the low lands in that direction". [10] To the east, Wallalong is separated from the "high land" of Brandy Hill, previously known as Ahalton and Warren's Station Paddock, by Barties Swamp. It is possible that the shootings and drownings described as occurring "between the brush and the high land" took place on or about Barties Swamp, between Wallalong and present-day Brandy Hill.

Bowthrone Butter Factory

Opened by John Lavis trading under the name Bowthrone Creamery and Refrigeration Works. [11] The factory was located on 62 High Street. [11] It was reported that factory was 35 feet long, 25 feet wide and 15 feet high with 8 horse power engine which could produced 350 gallons of milk an hour. [11] In December 1906 a cooperative was formed renamed in Bowthrone Co-operative Butter Factory LTD. [11] The cooperative purchased the factory for £3,934 in January 1907 but Lavis stayed on as manager. [11] The same cooperative purchased the Duckenfield Park Butter Factory at Morpeth. [11] In 1910 the Morpeth became the new headquarters. [11]

Notes

  1. ↑ ABS QuickStats data for Wallalong only covers only the residential section of the suburb. [1] [2] Data for the remainder of the suburb is included in the ABS QuickStats for other suburbs including Nelsons Plains and Woodville.
  2. ↑ Average elevation of the suburb as shown on 1:100000 map 9232 NEWCASTLE.
  3. ↑ Area calculation is based on 1:100000 map 9232 NEWCASTLE.

Related Research Articles

Hexham, New South Wales Suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Hexham is a suburb of the city of Newcastle, about 15 km (9 mi) inland from the Newcastle CBD in New South Wales, Australia on the bank of the Hunter River.

Wonnarua

The Wonnarua people, otherwise written Wanarruwa, are a group of Aboriginal Australian people united by strong ties of kinship, and who survived in family groups or clans scattered along the inland area of what is now known as the Upper Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. Their creation spirit is Baiami, also known as Koin, the creator of all things and the Keeper of the Valley.

Stockton, New South Wales Suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Stockton is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located 600 m (0.4 mi) from Newcastle's central business district. It is the only residential suburb of the City of Newcastle that lies north of the Hunter River.

Waratah, New South Wales Suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Waratah is a north-western residential suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from Newcastle's central business district and bounded to the north by the Main North railway line. Waratah station was opened in 1858 and is served by NSW TrainLink's Hunter line.

Morpeth, New South Wales Suburb of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

Morpeth is a suburb of the city of Maitland in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the southern banks of the Hunter River at the border between the City of Maitland and Port Stephens Council LGAs. The major population centre, where almost all residents of the suburb reside, is the historical town of Morpeth which takes its name from Morpeth, Northumberland, near Newcastle upon Tyne, in England.

Awabakal

The Awabakal people, are those Aboriginal Australians who identify with or are descended from the Awabakal tribe and its clans, Indigenous to the coastal area of what is now known as the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales. Their traditional territory spread from Wollombi in the south, to the Lower Hunter River near Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in the north.

Seaham, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Seaham is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the Williams River which flows into the Hunter River 14.6 km (9.1 mi) downstream from Seaham village at Raymond Terrace.

Brandy Hill, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Brandy Hill is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It was originally farmland but was subdivided in the 1980s and now supports a population of almost 700 people living on large, primarily residential, blocks. It overlooks working farmland and offers superb views of the greater Morpeth area, with visibility extending to Maitland.

Woodville, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Woodville is a rural suburb in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia that is shared between the Port Stephens and Maitland local government areas (LGA). Most of the suburb lies to the east of the Paterson River in the Port Stephens LGA while a small area of approximately 1.3 square kilometres (0.5 sq mi), to the west of the Paterson, is within the boundaries of the Maitland LGA.

The Worimi people are Aboriginal Australians from the eastern Port Stephens and Great Lakes regions of coastal New South Wales, Australia. Before contact with settlers, their people extended from Port Stephens in the south to Forster/Tuncurry in the north and as far west as Gloucester. British colonists had a perception that Worimi people were taller and stouter than those living around Sydney and were more prone to laughter than tears.

Bobs Farm, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Bobs Farm is a sparsely populated rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the main road between Newcastle and Nelson Bay and is home to a number of small, boutique style vineyards and wineries and a thriving aquaculture industry. Bobs Farm Public School is located on 764 Marsh Road, Bobs Farm is a co -ed government primary which was established in 1918.

Williamtown, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Williamtown is a rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the main road between Newcastle and Nelson Bay.

One Mile, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

One Mile is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The Worimi people are the traditional owners of the Port Stephens area. The suburb is semi-rural with a small urban settlement, several eco-resorts and back-packer accommodation to the west of Gan Gan Road. On the beach side there is a residential land-lease community and three tourist parks. The parks, two of which have licensed restaurants, are positioned to provide quick access to the suburb's two beaches. Since late 2017 Port Stephens Koala Hospital has been operating in the grounds of Treescape resort and is currently undergoing a major expansion.

Hinton, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Hinton is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Primarily rural, the largest population centre is the township of Hinton, which is situated on the Paterson River, near to the confluence of the Hunter and Paterson rivers. In 1835 the post office requested a name for the town and the surveyor general suggested Hinton prior to this it was known as the second arm of the hunter river. The first European settlers were 12 ex convicts in 1818.

Osterley, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Osterley is a small rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Most of the small population lives in the elevated part of the suburb along Hinton Road, east of Barties Creek which is a tributary of the Hunter River. The area to the west of Barties creek is low-lying and subject to periodic flooding. .In 2016 117 people live there with a median age of 46.

Nelsons Plains, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Nelsons Plains is a primarily rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on Seaham Road between the Hunter and Williams rivers. At the 2016 census the suburb had a population of 362.

East Seaham, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

East Seaham is a primarily rural suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the east bank of the Williams River, opposite Glen Oak and Seaham. At the 2011 census, the population of East Seaham and the adjacent suburb of Balickera was 359, with the two suburbs having an average population density of 5.5/km2 (14/sq mi).

Heatherbrae, New South Wales Suburb of Port Stephens Council, New South Wales, Australia

Heatherbrae is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The suburb lies to the east of the Hunter River and to the south of the town of Raymond Terrace. It is bisected by the Pacific Highway. At the 2011 census it had a population of 492. Most of the population lives to the west of the Pacific Highway in a housing subdivision while some residents live to the east of the highway in a semi-industrial area. Remaining residents live in rural and semi-rural areas adjacent to the highway and throughout the rest of the suburb. The Worimi people are the traditional owners of the Port Stephens area. In 2016 there were 512 people there with the median age of 54. 80% of were born in Australia, 2.6% New Zealand, 2.2% Pakistan, 2.0% England, 1% Germany and 0.8% China. 26.1% were Anglican, 21.4% No Religion, 19.0% Catholic, 12.0% Not Stated and 4.5% Uniting Church. 2.2% speak Urdu, 0.8% Tagalog, 0.6% Italian, 0.6% Serbo-Croatian/Yugoslavian and 0.6% Bengali.

Walter John Enright was an Australian solicitor and amateur anthropologist whose notes on the aborigines of New South Wales made an important contribution to the conservation of their traditions. His friendship with, and unstinting assistance to, the new generation of professional anthropologists working on tribes in New South Wales is still remembered.

Duckenfield, New South Wales Town in New South Wales, Australia

Duckenfield is a locality in the City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the south bank of the Hunter River. The first European settler in the locality was John Eales who had two estates Berry Park and Duckenfield House both along Duckenfield Road. The area is known from breeding race horses. At the 2016 census, it had a population of 108.

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Wallalong (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 October 2012. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. ↑ "Wallalong". Land and Property Management Authority - Spatial Information eXchange. New South Wales Land and Property Information . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 "Suburb Search - Local Council Boundaries - Hunter (HT) - Port Stephens". New South Wales Division of Local Government . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 "Wallalong". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales . Retrieved 10 September 2008. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  5. ↑ "Port Stephens". New South Wales Electoral Commission . Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  6. ↑ "Paterson". Australian Electoral Commission. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 "Paterson (Tocal AWS)". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 "THE LIFE AND HABITS OF NATIVES". The Maitland Daily Mercury (21, 054). New South Wales, Australia. 6 October 1938. p. 12. Retrieved 7 June 2021– via National Library of Australia.
  9. 1 2 "ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE". The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser . XXXIV (4571). New South Wales, Australia. 25 August 1877. p. 10. Retrieved 7 June 2021– via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "MORPETH, NARROWGUT, AND PHOENIX PARK". Empire (2, 053). New South Wales, Australia. 5 August 1857. p. 2. Retrieved 7 June 2021– via National Library of Australia.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Bowthorne Butter Factory". www.patersonriver.com.au. Retrieved 16 March 2021.


NSW in Australia map.png

This Port Stephens Council geography article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.