Wilberforce, New South Wales

Last updated

Wilberforce
New South Wales
Australia New South Wales location map blank.svg
Red pog.svg
Wilberforce
Coordinates 33°33′34″S150°50′26″E / 33.55944°S 150.84056°E / -33.55944; 150.84056
Population2,957 (2021 census) [1]
Postcode(s) 2756
Elevation20 m (66 ft)
Location62 km (39 mi) from Sydney CBD
LGA(s) City of Hawkesbury
State electorate(s) Hawkesbury
Federal division(s) Macquarie
Suburbs around Wilberforce:
East Kurrajong East Kurrajong Ebenezer
Glossodia and Freemans Reach Wilberforce South Maroota
Freemans Reach Pitt Town Maraylya

Wilberforce is a small town in New South Wales, Australia, in the local government area of the City of Hawkesbury. It is just beyond the outer suburbs of north-west Sydney and lies on the western bank of the Hawkesbury River.

Contents

History

Wilberforce is one of the original settlements established as a township by Lachlan Macquarie, colonial governor of New South Wales 1810–21. It is known locally as "Macquarie Town", [2] a title given to townships established by Governor Macquarie on 6 December 1810 [3] in and around the Sydney metropolitan area. It was named after William Wilberforce (1759–1833), who was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.

Heritage listings

Wilberforce has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Key sites and points of interest

Macquarie Schoolhouse (1819) and St John's Church (1859)

The historic St John's Anglican Church was designed by Edmund Thomas Blacket [10] and built by J. Atkinson of Windsor. Construction was started in 1856 and the building was not completed until 1859 at a cost of £1500. The grounds of the church and contains the Old School House building (Built 1819), which was used as a school, a church, and a residence of the school master until the church was completed. The school house was replaced in 1880 by a Public School. [11] The original church building is still used for the church's 8 am service with the modern education centre used for later services.

Howorth Grave (1804, relocated 1960)

Relocated to a position in front of the schoolhouse, the grave marks the death of a child bitten by a snake on a nearby property. Grave moved on 5 December 1960 by the Hawkesbury Historical Society. [12]

Wilberforce un marked is on north side of River opposite Pitt Town Map of the Parish of Gidley, 1822 (3901869835).jpg
Wilberforce un marked is on north side of River opposite Pitt Town

Wilberforce Park (1810)

This is the original town square proclaimed by Macquarie, and still retains its original relationship with the schoolhouse, cemetery and townships. In the park itself is the War Memorial, erected by local residents in 1918. [13] In 1966, it was relocated within the park, and new plaques were added at this time. [14] [15]

Australiana Pioneer Village

Opened around 1970, the village contains a number of buildings from the surrounding area which were physically transported to the site. Among them is 'Rose Cottage'; the oldest timber slab cottage in Australia standing on its original site. [16] [17]

Wilberforce Cemetery (1815 onwards)

This cemetery sits on Old Sackville Road, near the intersection with Singleton Road (Putty Road). There are a number of graves of the area's pioneers; notably the somewhat unusual Table Slab Grave. [18]

Notable residents

Wilberforce is the birthplace of bushranger Captain Thunderbolt.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parramatta</span> City in New South Wales, Australia

Parramatta is a major CBD and a suburb in Greater Western Sydney, located in New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) west of Central Sydney, on the banks of the Parramatta River. Parramatta is the administrative seat of the local government area of the City of Parramatta and is often regarded as one of the city centres of the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area, alongside with Sydney, Penrith, Liverpool, etc. Parramatta also has a long history as a second administrative centre in the Sydney metropolitan region, playing host to a number of state government departments as well as state and federal courts. It is often colloquially referred to as "Parra".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond, New South Wales</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

Richmond is a town in New South Wales, in the local government area of the City of Hawkesbury. It is located 19 metres above sea level on the alluvial Hawkesbury River flats, at the foot of the Blue Mountains on the Cumberland Plain. It is about 65 km by road from Sydney and about 78 km by road from Lithgow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windsor, New South Wales</span> Suburb of City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia

Windsor is a historic town in north-west of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is the council seat of the Hawkesbury local government area. The town sits on the Hawkesbury River, enveloped by farmland and Australian bush. Many of the oldest surviving European buildings in Australia are located at Windsor. It is 46 km (29 mi) north-west of the Sydney CBD, on the fringes of urban sprawl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Greenway</span> Architect

Francis Howard Greenway was an English-born architect who was transported to Australia as a convict for the crime of forgery. In New South Wales he worked for the Governor, Lachlan Macquarie, as Australia's first government architect. He became widely known and admired for his work displayed in buildings such as St Matthew's Church, St James' Church and Hyde Park Barracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glebe, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Glebe is an inner-western suburb of Sydney in New South Wales. Glebe is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) southwest of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney, in the Inner West region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaucluse, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Vaucluse is an eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 8 kilometres (5 mi) east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government areas of Waverley Council and the Municipality of Woollahra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Blue Mountains</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

The City of Blue Mountains is a local government area of New South Wales, Australia, governed by the Blue Mountains City Council. The city is located in the Blue Mountains, on the Great Dividing Range at the far western fringe of the Greater Sydney area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Campbelltown (New South Wales)</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

The City of Campbelltown is a local government area in the Macarthur region of south-western Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia. The area is located about 55 kilometres (34 mi) south west of the Sydney central business district and comprises 312 square kilometres (120 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Municipality of Woollahra</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Woollahra Municipal Council is a local government area in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Woollahra is bounded by Sydney Harbour in the north, Waverley Council in the east, Randwick City in the south and the City of Sydney in the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castlereagh, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Castlereagh is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Castlereagh is 67 kilometres (42 mi) north-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Penrith and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ebenezer, New South Wales</span> Suburb of City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia

Ebenezer is a historic town in New South Wales, Australia, in the local government area of the City of Hawkesbury. Ebenezer is located 69 kilometres north-west of Sydney and about 5 kilometres from the larger centre of Wilberforce. It sits on the banks of the Hawkesbury River and like typical early 19th century villages in NSW, it straggles along the roads rather than compactly around a village centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's Square, Sydney</span> Public square in Sydney, Australia

Queen's Square is a public square in central Sydney, Australia. The square is located at the junction of King Street with Phillip Street and Macquarie Street. It is bounded on the south by St James Road and Prince Albert Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Cottage, Wilberforce</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Rose Cottage is a heritage-listed former cottage and now museum at Rose Street, Wilberforce, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1810 to 1820 by Thomas Rose. The property is owned by the Thomas and Jane Rose Family Society Inc. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilberforce Park</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Wilberforce Park is a heritage-listed public parkland at 47 George Road, Wilberforce, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. It was first established in 1810 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie and surveyed by James Meehan in 1811. It is also known as Great Square, Reserved Square and the Recreation Ground. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilberforce Cemetery</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Wilberforce Cemetery is a heritage-listed cemetery at Clergy Road, Wilberforce, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. It was laid out by surveyor James Meehan and established in 1811. It is also known as St John's Church of England Cemetery. It is owned by Hawkesbury City Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 August 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australiana Pioneer Village</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Australiana Pioneer Village is a heritage-listed open-air museum at Rose Street, Wilberforce, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1969 to 1970. The property is owned by Hawkesbury City Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 February 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windsor Uniting Church and Hall</span> Church in New South Wales, Australia

Windsor Uniting Church and Hall is a heritage-listed church precinct at Macquarie Street, Windsor, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. The church was built in 1875–76 following the destruction of the original church in a fire, while the Church Hall, which survived the fire, dates from 1861. Originally a Methodist church, it became part of the Uniting Church in Australia following the Methodist Church's amalgamation in 1977. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reverend Turner Cottage</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Reverend Turner Cottage is a heritage-listed clergy house at 360 George Street, Windsor, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as Rev. Peter Turner Cottage and Oxalis Cottage. The property is owned by Hawkesbury City Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">126 Windsor Street, Richmond</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

126 Windsor Street, Richmond is a heritage-listed residence at 126 Windsor Street, Richmond, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as the Home of John Town and Heritage Cottage. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St John's Anglican Church and Macquarie Schoolhouse</span> Church in New South Wales, Australia

St John's Anglican Church and Macquarie Schoolhouse is a heritage-listed Anglican church building and church hall located at 43-43a Macquarie Road, Wilberforce, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. The church was designed by Edmund Blacket and built from 1819 to 1859 by James Atkinson, senior; and the schoolhouse was built by John Brabyn. The church is also known as the St. John's (Blacket) Church, while the hall is also known as the Macquarie Schoolhouse/Chapel and the Wilberforce Schoolhouse. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 August 2010.

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Wilberforce (State Suburb)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 June 2023. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. The Macquarie towns | State Library of New South Wales
  3. Policies to Consider before Buying a Car
  4. "Wilberforce Cemetery". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01837. Retrieved 18 May 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  5. "Wilberforce Park". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01868. Retrieved 18 May 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  6. "Macquarie Schoolhouse/Chapel and St. John's (Blacket) Church". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01836. Retrieved 18 May 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  7. "Australiana Pioneer Village". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01683. Retrieved 18 May 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  8. "Rose Cottage". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H00358. Retrieved 18 May 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  9. "Stannix Park House, cattle tanks and site". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H00598. Retrieved 18 May 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  10. "St Johns - St Johns Wilberforce". wilberforce.anglican.asn.au. Archived from the original on 15 June 2010.
  11. Baker, Helen (1967). Historic Buildings. Windsor and Richmond (1st ed.). The State Planning Authority of New South Wales.
  12. Wilberforce, St Johns Churchyard (Howorth Grave)
  13. Wilberforce, Wilberforce Park War Memorial
  14. "WILBERFORCE PARK CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN" (PDF). Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  15. Hawkesbury Tourism – Other Hawkesbury Heritage Tours
  16. Rose Family Cottage
  17. The Australiana Pioneer Village History
  18. Wilberforce, Wilberforce Cemetery

Bibliography