Faulconbridge, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Faulconbridge is a village located in the Blue Mountains 77 km west of Sydney
, New South Wales
and is 450 metres above sea level. At the 2006 census
, Faulconbridge had a population of 4,014 people.
, Wentworth
and Lawson in May 1813 while they were camped at Springwood
and looking for the ridge which would take them over the mountains. It was settled in the 1870s after the railway line had opened up the whole of the mountains.
One of the earliest residents was the "Father of Federation", Sir Henry Parkes
, who moved to the area in 1877 and purchased 600 acres (2.4 km²). It is said that the original railway platform at Faulconbridge was specifically built to serve his residence which was known as Faulconbridge House. The town was named after Parkes's home. Faulconbridge was the maiden name of Sir Henry Parkes' mother, while a small waterfall in the area—Clarinda Falls—was named after his first wife. Parkes is buried in Faulconbridge Cemetery, alongside the grave of his first wife. The railing surrounding his grave bears a plaque which describes his role in Australian history:
On Sir Henry's Parade (which runs between Springwood and Faulconbridge on the southern side of both the railway line and the highway) is Jackson Park, which is home to the Prime Ministers' Corridor of Oaks
. Joseph Jackson
, a NSW Member of Parliament, gave the park to the local council in 1933 with the explicit intention of having every Prime Minister of Australia
, or a nearest surviving relative, plant an oak tree. Jackson was a huge admirer of Henry Parkes and believed that his Corridor of Oaks was a suitable monument to the man most responsible for the federation of Australian states. It is worth noting that every Prime Minister since Gough Whitlam
has had their tree destroyed soon after planting, and the trees representing these Prime Ministers were re-planted later.
Faulconbridge is well known for having been the home of artist Norman Lindsay
. Some streets have been given names from some of the characters out of Lindsay's famous children's book The Magic Pudding
. These include "Bill Barnacle Avenue", "Watkin Wombat Way" and more. The house Norman Lindsay used to live in is at the end of Chapman Parade and has been turned into a gallery and the grounds have been preserved perfectly.
A number of Aboriginal carvings are also to be found on the rock shelves in the area.
The most prominent landmark in the area is the ruined house called Eurama, two kilometres west of Faulconbridge station. This substantial stone house with Tudor chimneys was built in 1881 by the stonemason Paddy Ryan, for one Mr McCullock. At first it was called Weemala, but the name was changed to Eurama by later owners. It was unused for some time until being restored by a new owner, but it was then destroyed by bushfires in 1968.
For logophiles it may be observed that Faulconbridge uses half of the alphabet, including all five vowels, and does not use any individual letter twice.
restaurant, vet, takeaway, pharmacy and liquor store while the other has a butchery, petrol station, hairdresser, hi-fi store and a large kindergarten
. The second is close to the train station
.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, 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...
and is 450 metres above sea level. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Faulconbridge had a population of 4,014 people.
History and Description
The area around Faulconbridge was first explored by BlaxlandGregory Blaxland
Gregory Blaxland was a pioneer farmer and explorer in Australia.- Early life :Gregory Blaxland was born 17 June 1778 at Fordwich, Kent, England, the fourth son of John Blaxland, mayor from 1767 to 1774, whose family had owned estates nearby for generations, and Mary, daughter of Captain Parker,...
, Wentworth
William Wentworth
William Charles Wentworth was an Australian poet, explorer, journalist and politician, and one of the leading figures of early colonial New South Wales...
and Lawson in May 1813 while they were camped at Springwood
Springwood, New South Wales
Springwood is a town in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia. Springwood is located 72 kilometres west of Sydney in the local government area of the City of Blue Mountains. At the 2006 census, Springwood had a population of 8,210 people. It is largely Anglo-Celtic.Springwood is near the...
and looking for the ridge which would take them over the mountains. It was settled in the 1870s after the railway line had opened up the whole of the mountains.
One of the earliest residents was the "Father of Federation", Sir Henry Parkes
Henry Parkes
Sir Henry Parkes, GCMG was an Australian statesman, the "Father of Federation." As the earliest advocate of a Federal Council of the colonies of Australia, a precursor to the Federation of Australia, he was the most prominent of the Australian Founding Fathers.Parkes was described during his...
, who moved to the area in 1877 and purchased 600 acres (2.4 km²). It is said that the original railway platform at Faulconbridge was specifically built to serve his residence which was known as Faulconbridge House. The town was named after Parkes's home. Faulconbridge was the maiden name of Sir Henry Parkes' mother, while a small waterfall in the area—Clarinda Falls—was named after his first wife. Parkes is buried in Faulconbridge Cemetery, alongside the grave of his first wife. The railing surrounding his grave bears a plaque which describes his role in Australian history:
- "Sir Henry Parkes, Father of Australian Federation, five times Prime Minister of New South Wales, arrived in Australia 25 July 1839, he worked as station-hand, Customs Officer and bone and ivory turner. In 1850 became proprietor of Empire Newspaper. Member of New South Wales Parliament from 1854-1894, Sir Henry Parkes is especially remembered for his efforts to develop New South Wales Education and Railways and his work for Federation earned him his title Father of Federation."
On Sir Henry's Parade (which runs between Springwood and Faulconbridge on the southern side of both the railway line and the highway) is Jackson Park, which is home to the Prime Ministers' Corridor of Oaks
Prime Ministers' Corridor of Oaks
The Prime Ministers' Corridor of Oaks is located at Faulconbridge, New South Wales, 75 km from Sydney and 20 minutes from Katoomba. It is near the Great Western Highway and Main Western railway line. It is also near the grave of Sir Henry Parkes...
. Joseph Jackson
Joseph Jackson (Australian politician)
Joseph Jackson was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1922 until 1956...
, a NSW Member of Parliament, gave the park to the local council in 1933 with the explicit intention of having every Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
, or a nearest surviving relative, plant an oak tree. Jackson was a huge admirer of Henry Parkes and believed that his Corridor of Oaks was a suitable monument to the man most responsible for the federation of Australian states. It is worth noting that every Prime Minister since Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
has had their tree destroyed soon after planting, and the trees representing these Prime Ministers were re-planted later.
Faulconbridge is well known for having been the home of artist Norman Lindsay
Norman Lindsay
Norman Alfred William Lindsay was an Australian artist, sculptor, writer, editorial cartoonist, scale modeler, and boxer. He was born in Creswick, Victoria....
. Some streets have been given names from some of the characters out of Lindsay's famous children's book The Magic Pudding
The Magic Pudding
The Magic Pudding: Being The Adventures of Bunyip Bluegum and his friends Bill Barnacle and Sam Sawnoff is an Australian children's book written and illustrated by Norman Lindsay. It is a comic fantasy, and a classic of Australian children's literature....
. These include "Bill Barnacle Avenue", "Watkin Wombat Way" and more. The house Norman Lindsay used to live in is at the end of Chapman Parade and has been turned into a gallery and the grounds have been preserved perfectly.
A number of Aboriginal carvings are also to be found on the rock shelves in the area.
The most prominent landmark in the area is the ruined house called Eurama, two kilometres west of Faulconbridge station. This substantial stone house with Tudor chimneys was built in 1881 by the stonemason Paddy Ryan, for one Mr McCullock. At first it was called Weemala, but the name was changed to Eurama by later owners. It was unused for some time until being restored by a new owner, but it was then destroyed by bushfires in 1968.
For logophiles it may be observed that Faulconbridge uses half of the alphabet, including all five vowels, and does not use any individual letter twice.
Commercial Areas
There are 2 commercial areas in Faulconbridge. One known as Coomassie shops contains a petrol station, ChineseChinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine is any of several styles originating in the regions of China, some of which have become highly popular in other parts of the world – from Asia to the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa...
restaurant, vet, takeaway, pharmacy and liquor store while the other has a butchery, petrol station, hairdresser, hi-fi store and a large kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
. The second is close to the train station
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
.
External links
- Faulconbridge Blue Mountains Australia