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{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type      = suburb
| name      = Ourimbah
| city      = [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]]
| state     = nsw
| image     = Ourimbah Township.jpg
| caption   = Aerial shot of Ourimbah in April 2019
| local_map = yes
| zoom      = 11
| lga       = {{NSWcity|Central Coast Council|b1=on}}
| postcode  = 2258
| pop       = 3951
| pop_year  = {{CensusAU|2016}}
| pop_footnotes =<ref name=census>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC13103|name=Ourimbah (State Suburb)|accessdate=1 January 2020|quick=on|map=yes}}</ref>
| elevation = 37
| area      =
| est       =
| parish    = Ourimbah
| coordinates = {{coord|33|21|54|S|151|22|5|E|display=inline,title}}
| relief    = 1
| stategov  = [[Electoral district of The Entrance|The Entrance]]
| stategov2 = [[Electoral district of Wyong|Wyong]]
| fedgov    = [[Division of Dobell|Dobell]]
| dist1     = 77
| dir1      = S
| location1 = [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
| dist2     = 11  
| dir2      = SSW 
| location2 = [[Wyong]]
| dist3     = 12  
| dir3      = NNE 
| location3 = [[Gosford]]
| dist4     = 78   
| dir4      = N 
| location4 = Sydney
| dist5     = 17
| dir5      = W
| location5 = [[The Entrance, New South Wales|The Entrance]]
| near-nw   = [[Palmdale, New South Wales|Palmdale]]
| near-n    = [[Palmdale, New South Wales|Palmdale]] 
| near-ne   = [[Kangy Angy]]
| near-e    = [[Fountaindale]]
| near-se   = [[Glenning Valley]]
| near-s    = [[Lisarow]]
| near-sw   = [[Somersby, New South Wales|Somersby]] 
| near-w    = [[Palm Grove]]}}

'''Ourimbah''' ({{IPAc-en|ɔː|r|I|m|b|ɑː}}) is a small township in the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]] region of [[New South Wales]], Australia, located about {{convert|78|km|mi|0}} north of the state capital [[Sydney]]. Ourimbah is located approximately halfway between [[Sydney]] and [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]. The township today consists of small scattered local shops and businesses along the [[Pacific Highway, Australia|Pacific Highway]], as well as the Central Coast campus of the [[University of Newcastle, Australia|University of Newcastle]]. Ourimbah had a population of 3,951 at the {{CensusAU|2016}}.<ref name=census/>

== History ==
The [[Indigenous Australian|Aboriginal]] word "Oorin" meaning "Belt of manhood"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/placenames.html |title=Placenames — Gosford City Council |access-date=21 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829110258/http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/placenames.html |archive-date=29 August 2007  }}</ref> in which a stone axe was carried on hunting expeditions, and "Oorinbah" which is the bora ring or ceremonial ground in which the initiation ceremony of conferring the "belt of manhood" was carried out is where the name for Ourimbah originates from.{{cn|date=May 2024}} Ourimbah was also known as 'Blue Gum Flats' which is what the school was called. The name of Ourimbah was universally adopted for the School, Post Office, Railway and Township in the late 19th century, as well as for [[Ourimbah Creek]] that skirts the north of the town.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

There are many sites around Ourimbah which provide evidence of Aboriginal occupation. These include axe grinding grooves, archaeological deposits of campfires and food scraps, cave art, as well as many stone implements which have been purloined by museums and privateers.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Blue Gum Flat Public School (Ourimbah Public School) was built in 1863 on the site of the present railway station. In 1886 the school was moved to the opposite side of the road and a wooden building constructed. [[Ourimbah railway station]] was built in the same year and opened on 15 August 1887 and was the only station other than [[Narara railway station|Narara]] between [[Gosford railway station|Gosford]] and [[Wyong railway station|Wyong]] at this time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=2021-06-11|title=Life and Times of the University Of Newcastle's Central Coast Campus|url=https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2021/06/11/lifetimes-of-uoncc/|access-date=2021-09-03|website=Hunter Living Histories|language=en-US}}</ref>

The relocation of the school and construction of the railway provided the opportunity for the subdivision of land into "town-size" allotments and the creation at Ourimbah of a townscape at first dubbed "Beckford". An area had previously been earmarked for a township to the north of this planned subdivision.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

The town of Ourimbah, with its blue gums, blackbutts, round leaved gum, spotted gum and white mahogany trees, was an ideal place for the milling of timber to support a Sydney building boom between 1840 and 1870. The 1840s saw a major growth of population in the Ourimbah area.{{cn|date=May 2024}} Attracted by the availability of work cutting timber, a great number of young couples moved all through the Central Coast, gradually forming settlements at which many began to put down roots.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

While the timber supply thinned out, other means such as Citrus fruit and dairy farming restored the fortunes of Ourimbah. Later, in the 1950s it was realised that the dairy industry could not survive. The citrus farmers found themselves in a similar bind, unable to match the economies of scale available to producers elsewhere.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

On the [[Australia Day]] long weekend in January 1970, Ourimbah was the venue for Australia's first major rock festival, the "Pilgrimage For Pop", which drew 11,000 fans.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/01/26/archives/weekend-rock-festival-in-australia-ends-quietly.html | work=[[New York Times]]| title=Weekend Rock Festival in Australia Ends Quietly | date=26 January 1970 | access-date=20 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2002/01/26/Today-In-Music-A-look-back-at-pop-music/UPI-29361012024800/ |title=Today in Music: A look back at pop music |publisher=UPI.com |date=26 January 2002 |access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/industry-salutes-the-godfather-of-aussie-rock/story-e6frg6nf-1111112155627 | first1=Iain | last1=Shedden | first2=Dan | last2=Box | title=Industry salutes the godfather of Aussie rock | date=17 August 2006 | work=The Australian}}</ref>

The early 1970s land boom, which saw much land redeveloped into smaller holdings, was the end of any serious potential for farming as a means of supporting a family in Ourimbah.{{cn|date=May 2024}} Land use once again changed, with pockets of urban development amongst the acreages, themselves now valuable for the leisure opportunities they offered rather than as agricultural holdings.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

In recent years{{which|date=May 2024}}, Ourimbah has grown from a rural town into a suburban commuter township.

== Education ==
[[File:Central Coast Campus-Entrance toward library.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|Entrance of the [[University of Newcastle, Australia|University of Newcastle]], Central Coast Campus.]]
Ourimbah Public School is the oldest school on the Central Coast, opening in 1863 as Blue Gum Flat School.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourimbah-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/documents/2573097/2579271/1317966347621_19eb9eec26e2ca27012702ba259a1167.pdf |title=Front Side |access-date=22 August 2018 |archive-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412204709/http://www.ourimbah-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/documents/2573097/2579271/1317966347621_19eb9eec26e2ca27012702ba259a1167.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
It continues to grow and change from its once small stable rural environment to its present rapidly expanding urban environment.

The [[University of Newcastle, Australia|University of Newcastle]] has a campus at Ourimbah through a multi-sector co-located partnership of the University and TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute. The Ourimbah campus offers University, TAFE and Community College programmes and courses on one site so that students can take advantage of pathways between levels and sectors of education and training. Affiliates are the Central Coast Community College and the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music. The University of Newcastle commenced teaching at the Ourimbah Campus, also known as the Central Coast Campus, in 1989.

Campus Central is the Ourimbah Campus student association. Campus Central has been operating as an independent student organisation at the Ourimbah Campus since 1994. Campus Central has retained autonomy through the VSU ([[Voluntary Student Unionism]]) legislation changes, and continues to provide services to students, members and the Campus community.

== Historical sites and heritage listed buildings ==
* Sawmill (R. Brownlee & Co.)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brownlee.com.au/Pages/Brownlee%20Sawmill.html |title=R Brownlee & Co Sawmill in Ourimbah |publisher=Brownlee.com.au |access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref> – Brownlee Street
* Utility Structure – No. 1A Jaques Street
* Dwelling – No. 23 Chittaway Road
* Dwelling (Former Post Office) – Ourimbah Creek Road
* Primary School – No. 121 Pacific Highway
* [[Ourimbah railway station|Railway Station]] – Pacific Highway
* Shop – No. 21 Pacific Highway
* World War 1 Monument – Pacific Highway
* Post Office and Residence – Station Street
* Dwelling – No. 100 Shirley Street

More information and photos can be found at wyongsc.nsw.gov.au<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.wyongsc.nsw.gov.au/environment/heritage_inventory.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031229221841/http://www.wyongsc.nsw.gov.au/environment/heritage_inventory.html| archive-date = 2003-12-29| title = Wyong Shire Council}} </ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.wyongsc.nsw.gov.au/wyongshire/historical_sites.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20011222115727/http://www.wyongsc.nsw.gov.au/wyongshire/historical_sites.html| archive-date = 2001-12-22| title = Wyong Shire Council}} </ref>

==Transport==
[[Ourimbah railway station]] is situated on the [[Main Northern railway line]]. The [[Pacific Highway, Australia|Pacific Highway]] runs through its centre. It is part of the [[Central Coast Council (New South Wales)|Central Coast Council]] [[Local government areas of New South Wales|local government area]].

Major upgrades to the Pacific Highway occurred in 2007 by [[Roads & Maritime Services]].
* Stage 1 – Lisarow to Ourimbah
Upgrading the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Dog Trap Road at Ourimbah:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/constructionmaintenance/majorconstructionprojectsregional/centralcoast/dog-trap-road.html |title={title} |access-date=2 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831183240/http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/constructionmaintenance/majorconstructionprojectsregional/centralcoast/dog-trap-road.html |archive-date=31 August 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
* Stage 2 – Lisarow to Ourimbah
Upgrading the Pacific Highway between Glen Road and Burns Road:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/constructionmaintenance/majorconstructionprojectsregional/centralcoast/lisarow_ourimbah.html |title={title} |access-date=2 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817081938/http://rta.nsw.gov.au/constructionmaintenance/majorconstructionprojectsregional/centralcoast/lisarow_ourimbah.html |archive-date=17 August 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
* Stage 3 – Lisarow to Ourimbah

== Symbol of Ourimbah ==
The [[Australian magpie|magpie]] is commonly used as a symbol for Ourimbah. The black and white bird is featured in the logo of Ourimbah Public School. The school song references the magpie in its first verse, "Here lies Ourimbah nestled in a valley,/ Home of the magpie and blue gum tree" and in its repeating chorus, "home of the magpie colours black and white," referring to the school uniform colours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourimbah-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/ops-information/school-song-school-creed |title=School Song & School Creed – Ourimbah Public School |publisher=Ourimbah-p.schools.nsw.edu.au |access-date=22 August 2018 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822214024/http://www.ourimbah-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/ops-information/school-song-school-creed |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The magpie symbol is used for many local sports teams: Ourimbah Rugby League Football Club,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-2366-21393-0-0&sID=21763 |title=History – Ourimbah Wyoming & Districts RLFC Inc. – SportsTG |publisher=Websites.sportstg.com |access-date=22 August 2018 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822213750/http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-2366-21393-0-0&sID=21763 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lisarow Ourimbah Cricket Club,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lisarowourimbahcc.nsw.cricket.com.au/ |title=Lisarow-Ourimbah Senior Cricket Club |publisher=Lisarowourimbahcc.nsw.cricket.com.au |access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref> Ourimbah Netball Club,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourimbahnetball.com/ |title=Ourimbah Netball |publisher=Ourimbah Netball |access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref> and Ourimbah Lisarow RSL Bowling Club.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bowlscentralcoast.org.au/customdata/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_main&ItemID=68656&OrgID=16421 |title={title} |access-date=27 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031500/http://www.bowlscentralcoast.org.au/customdata/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_main&ItemID=68656&OrgID=16421 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

== Historical images ==
* [http://www.users.bigpond.com/narrabeen/ourimbah/images/K_Town.JPG Looking South at Ourimbah, 1910] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107192528/http://www.users.bigpond.com/narrabeen/ourimbah/images/K_Town.JPG |date=7 January 2007 }}
* [http://www.users.bigpond.com/narrabeen/ourimbah/images/K_School.JPG Ourimbah Public School, 1910] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107191921/http://www.users.bigpond.com/narrabeen/ourimbah/images/K_School.JPG |date=7 January 2007 }}
* [http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/images/atrium30.jpg Peach Orchard Road, Ourimbah, 1912] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829194229/http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/images/atrium30.jpg |date=29 August 2007 }}
* [http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/images/atrium29a.jpg Ourimbah Sawmill, 1902] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829193448/http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/images/atrium29a.jpg |date=29 August 2007 }}
* [http://image.sl.nsw.gov.au/Ebind/pxa635/a106_129-131/a106130r.jpg Ourimbah Public School, 1910] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908054029/http://image.sl.nsw.gov.au/Ebind/pxa635/a106_129-131/a106130r.jpg |date=8 September 2007 }}
* [http://www.photosau.com.au/gosfordPhotosLib/jpeg/000/000119.jpg Burns Store, 1915] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160513/http://www.photosau.com.au/gosfordPhotosLib/jpeg/000/000119.jpg |date=5 November 2018 }}
* [http://www.users.bigpond.com/narrabeen/ourimbah/images/Ourimbah%20c1920.jpg Illustration of formed roads in and about Ourimbah, 1920] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929143631/http://www.users.bigpond.com/narrabeen/ourimbah/images/Ourimbah%20c1920.jpg |date=29 September 2007 }}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* 'Ourimbah Recollections' Historical anecdotes of Ourimbah 1829 to 1994. {{ISBN|0-646-21049-1}} Published by Ourimbah Public School

== External links ==
* [http://www.milesago.com/Festivals/ourimbah.htm An account of the Ourimbah "Pilgrimage For Pop"]
* [http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/subdivision/ourimbah.html Old subdivision maps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829154456/http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/subdivision/ourimbah.html |date=29 August 2007 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110305160453/http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/documents/brisbane-water-history-mural-the-atrium-food-court-erina-fair Brisbane Water History Mural]

{{Suburbs of Central Coast (New South Wales)|state=collapsed}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Suburbs of the Central Coast (New South Wales)]]
[[Category:Towns in New South Wales]]