Wentworth, New South Wales
Template:For Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox Australian place Wentworth is a small border town in the far southwest of the state of New South Wales, Australia. It lies at the confluence of Australia's two most important rivers, the Darling and the Murray, the latter forming the border with the state of Victoria to the south. The border with the state of South Australia lies approximately Template:Convert to the west. The town of Wentworth is in the local government area of the same name.
History
Named after the famous explorer and politician William Charles Wentworth in 1859,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the town is Template:Convert to the west (via the Calder Highway) of the Victorian regional city of Mildura. The famous mining city of Broken Hill is Template:Convert to the north along the Silver City Highway.
Moorna Post Office opened on 22 February 1855 and was renamed Wentworth in 1860.<ref name = "PostOffice">Template:Citation</ref>
In 1876, Wentworth township was described in the following terms:
- Wentworth is situated on the Darling, about half a mile from the junction, and is plainly visible from the Murray. The township is built on rising ground, and, save in very exceptional seasons, is quite out of reach of flood waters. The population is between 400 and 500. The place appears prosperous and progressive. The trade up the Darling River, and the supply of stores to the stations in the vicinity, form the life-blood of its prosperity. Wentworth possesses a custom-house – a hideous little building resembling a watch-house, and as great an eyesore as the cause of its establishment is an inconvenience and annoyance to trade. The other public buildings are a post and telegraph office, for Wentworth is on the main telegraph line to Adelaide, and a court-house and offices, which are also used for land offices. There is a resident police magistrate, Mr. Richardson ... The two churches in Wentworth are buildings creditable to the town. The Roman Catholic Church is a brick structure, the Protestant Church an edifice of brick and stone... There are three or four stores of considerable size, and several hotels. The Australian Joint Stock Bank has a branch here. The river, which, opposite the town is about the width of the Murray at Echuca, is crossed by a punt.<ref>'The Riverine Trade (No. V): Down the Murray', The Argus (newspaper), 12 February 1876, p. 9.</ref>
Template:Historical populations
Heritage listings
Wentworth has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- 112 Beverley Street: Wentworth Gaol<ref name=nswshr-1982>Template:Cite NSW SHR</ref>
- 30 Cadell Street: Saint Ignatius School, Wentworth<ref name=nswshr-1507>Template:Cite NSW SHR</ref>
- Darling Street: St John's Anglican Church, Wentworth<ref name=nswshr-661>Template:Cite NSW SHR</ref>
- 1122a Low Darling Road: Avoca Homestead Complex<ref name=nswshr-1971>Template:Cite NSW SHR</ref>
Railways
During the late 1800s Wentworth was an important river port; however, like many such towns, its significance faded with the development of the railways. In 1902, the people of Wentworth were lobbying for a railway from Mildura to be built, including a bridge over the Murray River.
The town is nowadays served by NSW TrainLink coach services, connecting it to Broken Hill, from which trains operate to Sydney, and Mildura.<ref>Template:Cite New South Wales transport timetables</ref>
Floods
The town has been flooded many times by the two rivers. The most significant was in 1956, when both rivers flooded simultaneously. Local farmers, supplemented by the army and navy, worked for months to build levee banks to hold the water out of the town.<ref name="1956floodwentworth">The 1956 flood of Wentworth, Mildura Tourism Inc, Accessed September 16, 2007</ref>
Visitor attractions
Wentworth is now an important tourist outback destination and provides a welcome break for those travelling to or from Broken Hill. In addition to its authentic outback charm, the town offers some interesting attractions:
- PS Ruby – a restored 1907 side-wheel paddlesteamer
- The 5 yearly Great Wentworth Tractor Rally
- The Wentworth Gaol
- The Perry Sandhills
The Great Wentworth Tractor Rally is a commemoration of the grey Fergie tractors that were used to maintain the levee banks and save the town from the 1956 Murray River flood.<ref name="1956floodwentworth"/>
Wentworth was a popular destination for 'pokie tour' bus rides from Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, prior to the legalisation of poker (gambling) machines in that state.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Sport
The town has an Australian rules football team competing in the Sunraysia Football League.<ref name = "footy">Template:Citation</ref>
And the Wentworth District Rowing Club has regular regattas and attendance at national and international events. http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/story/4598820/gold-edge-to-regatta/
Notable people
- Jarrod Brander, Australian rules footballer
- Leal Douglas, actress, lived in Wentworth in the 1930s.
- Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Australian rules footballer
- Jamie Lawson, Australian rules footballer
- Brian Winton, Australian rules footballer
Climate
Wentworth has a Semi-arid climate (BSh) with hot summers and mild winters. Historical maxima and minima are 48.1 °C and −2.8 °C, respectively.
Gallery
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Confluence of the Darling with the Murray River -
Roadside sculpture, Wentworth, NSW, Australia -
Semi-arid countryside; roadside rest stop 20 km north of Wentworth
