Dapto, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Dapto is a southern suburb of Wollongong
in the Illawarra
region of New South Wales
, Australia
, located on the western side of Lake Illawarra
and covering an area 7.15 square kilometres in size. According to the 2006 ABS Census, the suburb currently has a total population of 10,480.
on the Illawarra line, its traffic being double that of Wollongong .
near the station. At the station there is a mural depicting old and modern trains. Horsley is reached via a road from the station. A small area of the escarpment west of Dapto is protected as part of the Illawarra Escapment State Recreation Area
, though not accessible to the public. The escarpment west of Dapto includes Mount Bong Bong, the site of an aeroplane crash when the controllers mistook Lake Illawarra for Botany Bay
. A plaque commemorates this event in Dapto. Much of the land to the west is still used as farmland, though other ventures such as the shooting grounds exist. The land to the west is noticeably more hilly than the plain to the north of Wollongong.
The South Coast line electric rail service terminated in Dapto prior to electrification being extended to Kiama
in 2001. The area of Dapto west of this rail line, formerly pastoral land, has undergone significant expansion over the past 20 years. This area has become the fastest growing part of the greater Wollongong region and consists of a sprawling, medium-density suburbia known as Horsley
, now officially a suburb in its own right.
Perhaps the area's most famous attraction is the Dapto Greyhound Racing Club, colloquially and affectionately known as the 'Dapto Dogs'. Race meetings occur from 6pm to 11pm every Thursday evening. On the 1st of November WIN News
bulletin it was announced plans for a motel at the site were under way, as well as improvement of the track.
The Dapto rugby league team is known as 'The Canaries' and compete in the local Tooheys League
. One of the most famous grand finals was in 1968 when Lionel Simmons kicked the winning field goal within seconds on the full time bell. Lionel Simmons is now a local legend.
Dapto was once, during an episode of the ABC TV show The Aunty Jack Show
, part of a parody of the nearby city of Wollongong
. The lyrics of the Lucky Starr song I've Been Everywhere
were changed so that, instead of listing a wide range of Australian towns, the song said "I've been to Wollongong, Wollongong, Wollongong, Wollongong, Wollongong, Dapto, Wollongong, Wollongong (etc)".
, Woolworths
Store, Australia Post
Office, Amcal Chemist, Guest's Café, Paul the Shoeman, Angelos, Fantasy Donuts, Snowy River Meats. Dapto Mall is on Moombara Street in Dapto CBD.
, Stockland Shellharbour
, and Wollongong Central
.
The Dapto Uniting Church traces its roots right back to 1841 when Sunday services were first held in a Dapto schoolroom under the leadership of Presbyterian minister Rev. John Tait. With the establishment of the railway network in 1887, the Dapto area experienced a period of continued urban expansion over the ensuing decades. The current red brick building, St Andrews, was officially opened and dedicated on February 7, 1959. Construction work commenced in 1981 to attach new hall facilities to the existing church building. As they have now outgrown their current facilities, the congregation is hoping to relocate their church community to a brand new, more accessible site in the coming years.
For many years, the Dapto Uniting family has faithfully sought to serve the local community, through ministries such as theOp Shop, regular Market Days, Showground Market Stall, Family Fun Days and Carols on the Lawn.
population, and can be found in Jeramatta Street. Mass
times are: Saturday Vigil Mass - 6:00pm, and Sundays at 07:30, 09:30 and 6:00pm. On the last Sunday of the month, cups of tea may be had after the 9:30 mass. It also has a new Youth Group.
Wollongong, New South Wales
Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 82 kilometres south of Sydney...
in the Illawarra
Illawarra
Illawarra is a region in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It encompasses the cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and the town of Kiama. The central region contains Lake...
region of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, located on the western side of Lake Illawarra
Lake Illawarra
Lake Illawarra is a large coastal lagoon located in the city of Wollongong about 100 km south of Sydney, New South Wales.The lake receives runoff from the Illawarra escarpment through Macquarie Rivulet and Mullet Creek, and has a narrow tidal entrance to the sea at Windang...
and covering an area 7.15 square kilometres in size. According to the 2006 ABS Census, the suburb currently has a total population of 10,480.
History
The name Dapto is said to be an Aboriginal word either from Dabpeto meaning "water plenty", or from tap-toe which described the way a lame Aboriginal elder walked. The suburb was officially founded in 1834, when George Brown transferred the Ship Inn from Wollongong to Mullet Creek Farm, in an area now named in his honour as Brownsville. After an unsuccessful attempt at wheat growing in the 1850s, Dapto embraced the dairy industry. In 1887 the railway opened and a butter factory was established. This began a transformation of Dapto and the town centre shifted south to where the new station was located. The Australian Smelting Company's works were established on Kanahooka Road and employed over 500 men. A railway, operated by the Illawarra Harbour and Land Corporation Limited, connected the smelter with the Government railway at Dapto. By 1903 the Commissioner for Railways declared that Dapto was the most valuable stationDapto railway station, New South Wales
-Transport links:Premier Illawarra runs two routes to and from Dapto railway station:*32 - to Wollongong.*37 - Wollongong Loop.-Other information:...
on the Illawarra line, its traffic being double that of Wollongong .
Further information
On Koonawarra Point is Mount Brown, a hill protected by a nature reserve for its important habitat. The eastern side and summit is owned by the now closed power station. Dapto used to be home to a smelting industry but this has now closed. Most of the town is residential with several commercial areas, the main one, including Dapto Mall, is on the Princes HighwayPrinces Highway, Wollongong
The Princes Highway is the main coastal route connecting Sydney and Melbourne. It is both a secondary north-south route through Wollongong, New South Wales, and a major linking road for the Wollongong suburbs.- Route :...
near the station. At the station there is a mural depicting old and modern trains. Horsley is reached via a road from the station. A small area of the escarpment west of Dapto is protected as part of the Illawarra Escapment State Recreation Area
Illawarra escarpment
The Illawarra Escarpment is the fold created cliffs and plateau eroded outcrop mountain range west of the Illawarra coastal plain south of Sydney, Australia, enclosing the region known as the Illawarra which stretches from Stanwell Park in the north to Kiama, Gerringong and the Shoalhaven river in...
, though not accessible to the public. The escarpment west of Dapto includes Mount Bong Bong, the site of an aeroplane crash when the controllers mistook Lake Illawarra for Botany Bay
Botany Bay
Botany Bay is a bay in Sydney, New South Wales, a few kilometres south of the Sydney central business district. The Cooks River and the Georges River are the two major tributaries that flow into the bay...
. A plaque commemorates this event in Dapto. Much of the land to the west is still used as farmland, though other ventures such as the shooting grounds exist. The land to the west is noticeably more hilly than the plain to the north of Wollongong.
The South Coast line electric rail service terminated in Dapto prior to electrification being extended to Kiama
Kiama, New South Wales
-Transport:The town is served by Kiama Station on the South Coast Line. It is served by road in the form of the Princes Highway and the Kiama Bypass.-Attractions:...
in 2001. The area of Dapto west of this rail line, formerly pastoral land, has undergone significant expansion over the past 20 years. This area has become the fastest growing part of the greater Wollongong region and consists of a sprawling, medium-density suburbia known as Horsley
Horsley, New South Wales
Horsley is a suburb in Wollongong previously known as West Dapto. It is the location of the new Dapto Primary school and a community centre. This suburb has expanded since 1999 and contains many newly developed houses. As of the 2006 Census Night there were 6,798 persons counted in Horsley, 49.6%...
, now officially a suburb in its own right.
Perhaps the area's most famous attraction is the Dapto Greyhound Racing Club, colloquially and affectionately known as the 'Dapto Dogs'. Race meetings occur from 6pm to 11pm every Thursday evening. On the 1st of November WIN News
WIN News
WIN News is a local television news service in parts of regional Australia, produced by WIN Television. 20 regional bulletins are presented from studios in Wollongong, Canberra, Ballarat, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Mount Gambier, Hobart and Perth.-History:As well as its flagship nightly...
bulletin it was announced plans for a motel at the site were under way, as well as improvement of the track.
The Dapto rugby league team is known as 'The Canaries' and compete in the local Tooheys League
Illawarra Rugby League
The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs ....
. One of the most famous grand finals was in 1968 when Lionel Simmons kicked the winning field goal within seconds on the full time bell. Lionel Simmons is now a local legend.
Dapto was once, during an episode of the ABC TV show The Aunty Jack Show
The Aunty Jack Show
The Aunty Jack Show was a Logie Award–winning Australian television comedy series that ran from 1972 to 1973. Produced by and broadcast on ABC-TV, the series attained an instant cult status that persists to the present day....
, part of a parody of the nearby city of Wollongong
Wollongong, New South Wales
Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 82 kilometres south of Sydney...
. The lyrics of the Lucky Starr song I've Been Everywhere
I've Been Everywhere
The song "I've Been Everywhere" was written by Geoff Mack in 1959 and made popular by the singer Lucky Starr in 1962.The song listed Australian towns...
were changed so that, instead of listing a wide range of Australian towns, the song said "I've been to Wollongong, Wollongong, Wollongong, Wollongong, Wollongong, Dapto, Wollongong, Wollongong (etc)".
Dapto Mall
Dapto Mall is a shopping centre in the Dapto CBD. It has a vast range of stores including Coles SupermarketColes Supermarkets
Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741...
, Woolworths
Woolworths Limited
Woolworths Limited is a major Australian company with extensive retail interest throughout Australia and New Zealand. It is the:* largest retail company in Australia and New Zealand by market capitalisation and sales...
Store, Australia Post
Australia Post
Australia Post is the trading name of the Australian Government-owned Australian Postal Corporation .-History:...
Office, Amcal Chemist, Guest's Café, Paul the Shoeman, Angelos, Fantasy Donuts, Snowy River Meats. Dapto Mall is on Moombara Street in Dapto CBD.
Redevelopment
The Mall went through huge redevelopments in early 2007. Alongside the Mall, a large car park was been built and was opened to the public on the 12th of February 2007. Stage one of the redevelopments opened on the 6th September 2007; the opening was planned for the 30th of October 2007, but then got pushed to the 31st. The Mall now boasts a food-court, Big W, 80 new specialty shops such as EB Games, Dick Smith Electronics, Beach Street Surf Scene, and many more. The redevelopments upgraded the Mall's total retail floor space from 6,000m² to over 23,000m², making it the fourth-largest shopping centre in Wollongong, after competitors Westfield WarrawongWestfield Warrawong
Westfield Warrawong is a major shopping centre located in Warrawong, a suburb of Wollongong. With a retail floor area of , it is currently the largest shopping centre in the Illawarra region.-History and Development:...
, Stockland Shellharbour
Stockland Shellharbour
Stockland Shellharbour is one of the largest shopping centres in the Illawarra area, located on Lake Entrance Road at Shellharbour City Centre, approximately 20 km south of Wollongong. It is owned and managed by Stockland, a property developer...
, and Wollongong Central
Wollongong Central
Wollongong Central is a major shopping centre in the Illawarra region, located in the CBD of Wollongong, approximately 90 kilometres south of Sydney. It is operated and managed by Australian property investment company, General Property Trust . It is of local importance and is used by much of the...
.
Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
The centre was Dapto's new community centre after relocating in 2001, it is named so after the species of tree that is planted in front. The local library is located on topmost floor of Level 1.Dapto Anglican Church
The Dapto Anglican Church centre is situated adjacent to the Dapto Mall and the Dapto Grayhound Racing Club; it also has services running from three other sites including the St Aidens building, the hall of Dapto Primary School on a Sunday morning, and the St Lukes Brownsville building (which is historically listed and over 100 years old). There are six services held weekly, as well as children and youth activities on Friday nights, children's programs on a Sunday morning and during the weeks of the school holidays, 'Cafe Church' during the week, and many one-off activities.Dapto Uniting Church
Dapto Uniting Church is located in the heart of Dapto, next to the Dapto Medical Centre on the Princes Highway. Services are held at 9:30am every Sunday morning and incorporate both contemporary and tradition styles of worship. Children's programs are held during the Sunday service, Sunday's Cool, and mid-week on Wednesdays, Tiddlywinks playgroup. The Dapto Uniting congregation is a healthy community composed of people of all generations, cultures and backgrounds.The Dapto Uniting Church traces its roots right back to 1841 when Sunday services were first held in a Dapto schoolroom under the leadership of Presbyterian minister Rev. John Tait. With the establishment of the railway network in 1887, the Dapto area experienced a period of continued urban expansion over the ensuing decades. The current red brick building, St Andrews, was officially opened and dedicated on February 7, 1959. Construction work commenced in 1981 to attach new hall facilities to the existing church building. As they have now outgrown their current facilities, the congregation is hoping to relocate their church community to a brand new, more accessible site in the coming years.
For many years, the Dapto Uniting family has faithfully sought to serve the local community, through ministries such as theOp Shop, regular Market Days, Showground Market Stall, Family Fun Days and Carols on the Lawn.
St. John's Catholic Church
St. John's Church is the public worship centre of Dapto's CatholicCatholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
population, and can be found in Jeramatta Street. Mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
times are: Saturday Vigil Mass - 6:00pm, and Sundays at 07:30, 09:30 and 6:00pm. On the last Sunday of the month, cups of tea may be had after the 9:30 mass. It also has a new Youth Group.
See also
- Dapto High SchoolDapto High SchoolDapto High School is a high school located in Dapto, New South Wales, Australia. It was opened in 1958 and has around 935 students enrolled. The current principal is Mr Andrew FitzSimons....
- Dapto Railway StationDapto railway station, New South Wales-Transport links:Premier Illawarra runs two routes to and from Dapto railway station:*32 - to Wollongong.*37 - Wollongong Loop.-Other information:...