Warialda, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Warialda is a town in the Northwest Slopes region of New South Wales
, Australia
, in Gwydir Shire
. Situated on the banks of the Warialda Creek, the town’s name means “Place of Wild Honey.” At the 2006 census
, Warialda had a population of 1,206.
runs through town and, along with Stephen Street, is considered one of the town’s two main streets.
Warialda is serviced by Countrylink
, with services to Sydney daily (except Tuesdays) and Grafton and Brisbane on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Warialda is the birthplace of Elizabeth Kenny
, world renowned pioneer in the treatment of poliomyelitis
. The baptismal font used for Sister Kenny's baptism is still in use and housed in the Church of England located in Stewart Avenue.
, sorghum
, barley
, sheep, beef cattle
. Some of the locals also earn a dollar or two hunting wild pigs, which are exported, mainly to Germany
, where there are demands for wild boar which are not present in the Australian market.
Warialda serves as an education precinct for local families with a strong base of excellent education facilities including preschools, public schools, catholic schools, TAFE outreach centres and vocational education programs.
Agriculture, health and education are the primary industries providing support for a small but thriving business sector. Some of the local businesses include a supermarket, hardware store, cafes, service stations, butcher, pubs and a golf & bowling club along with other small businesses providing a cross-section of goods & services.
Warialda is home to congregations of the Anglican
, Catholic
, Presbyterian
, and Uniting
Churches.
The Anglican and Catholic churches are located near the Gwydir Highway in the main part of town on the south bank of the Warialda Creek.
The Presbyterian Manse was built from convict-hewn sandstone which formed part of the original town gaol. A local landowner used this stone built a house for himself and donated the rest of the stone to the church. The Manse bears examples of gaol graffiti, such as “Hell is here” upside-down outside the office window, and “Lord, remember me” at the back of the building.
. It was established in 1851.
Warialda is also home to Warialda High School, Warialda High School has been named as a Centre for Excellence.
St Joseph's Catholic School provides education for K to 6.
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...
, in Gwydir Shire
Gwydir Shire
Gwydir Shire is a Local Government Area located in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia along the state's border with Queensland...
. Situated on the banks of the Warialda Creek, the town’s name means “Place of Wild Honey.” 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,...
, Warialda had a population of 1,206.
Transport
The Gwydir HighwayGwydir Highway
The Gwydir Highway is a 567 kilometre highway in northern New South Wales, Australia. It was named after the Gwydir River, which in turn was named for a locale in Wales....
runs through town and, along with Stephen Street, is considered one of the town’s two main streets.
Warialda is serviced by Countrylink
CountryLink
CountryLink is the operator of passenger rail services in country New South Wales, Australia and into Queensland and Victoria. It is an operating brand of the Rail Corporation New South Wales, a government-owned entity...
, with services to Sydney daily (except Tuesdays) and Grafton and Brisbane on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
History
Warialda was the first town gazetted in the Northwest Slopes region, probably in the 1830s, and was the headquarters of the Yallaroi Shire, until its merger with neighbouring Bingara Shire to form Gwydir Shire. Warialda Post Office opened on 1 January 1848.Warialda is the birthplace of Elizabeth Kenny
Elizabeth Kenny
Elizabeth Kenny was an unqualified Australian nurse who promoted a controversial new approach to the treatment of poliomyelitis in the era before mass vaccination eradicated the disease in most countries.-Youth:...
, world renowned pioneer in the treatment of poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
. The baptismal font used for Sister Kenny's baptism is still in use and housed in the Church of England located in Stewart Avenue.
Industry
Warialda is the service centre for the local agricultural sector. Farms around Warialda produce wheatWheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
, barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
, sheep, beef cattle
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
. Some of the locals also earn a dollar or two hunting wild pigs, which are exported, mainly to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where there are demands for wild boar which are not present in the Australian market.
Warialda serves as an education precinct for local families with a strong base of excellent education facilities including preschools, public schools, catholic schools, TAFE outreach centres and vocational education programs.
Agriculture, health and education are the primary industries providing support for a small but thriving business sector. Some of the local businesses include a supermarket, hardware store, cafes, service stations, butcher, pubs and a golf & bowling club along with other small businesses providing a cross-section of goods & services.
Religion
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
, Catholic
Roman Catholic Church in Australia
The Catholic Church in Australia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Pope.Australia is a majority Christian but pluralistic society with no established religion. There are approximately 5.1 million Australian Catholics . Catholicism...
, Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church of Australia
The Presbyterian Church of Australia is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Australia. .-Beginnings:...
, and Uniting
Uniting Church in Australia
The Uniting Church in Australia was formed on 22 June 1977 when many congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union....
Churches.
The Anglican and Catholic churches are located near the Gwydir Highway in the main part of town on the south bank of the Warialda Creek.
Presbyterian church
St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church is located on the corner of Stephen and Long Streets. The front of the church has three stained glass windows representing the The Good Shepherd, from John chapter 10, as an Australian scene.The Presbyterian Manse was built from convict-hewn sandstone which formed part of the original town gaol. A local landowner used this stone built a house for himself and donated the rest of the stone to the church. The Manse bears examples of gaol graffiti, such as “Hell is here” upside-down outside the office window, and “Lord, remember me” at the back of the building.
Education
Warialda Public School is one of the oldest public schools in New South WalesNew 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...
. It was established in 1851.
Warialda is also home to Warialda High School, Warialda High School has been named as a Centre for Excellence.
St Joseph's Catholic School provides education for K to 6.