Yarrowitch, New South Wales
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Yarrowitch New South Wales |
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The church at Yarrowitch, NSW
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 Yarrowitch
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| Coordinates | 31°16′S 151°58′E / 31.267°S 151.967°ECoordinates: 31°16′S 151°58′E / 31.267°S 151.967°E |
| Population | 167 (2011 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2354 |
| Elevation | 940 m (3,084 ft) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Walcha Shire |
| County | Vernon |
| State electorate(s) | Tamworth |
| Federal Division(s) | New England |
Yarrowitch is a parish and a small rural locality on the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the picturesque Yarrowitch River Valley on the Oxley Highway 48 kilometres east of Walcha. The settlement is included in the Walcha Shire Local Government Area in the New England region. The locality is at an elevation of about 995 metres and the area is part of Vernon County. At the 2011 census, the Yarrowitch area had a population of 167.
John Oxley's expedition passed through Yarrowitch on 17 September 1818. They camped overnight on the eastern side of the River, before traversing the steep, rugged terrain and almost impenetrable scrub on their way to Port Macquarie.
The name, Yarrowitch, was probably derived from the English place name Yarrow, although there is an Aboriginal word 'Yarrawee', said to mean 'gum tree growing in water'.
John Allman and N. Powell occupied the area in c.1836. Shortly afterwards they were joined by Allman's brother, Francis. In about 1839 the Allmans were joined by Arthur Hodgson and by the end of that year the land had been divided into two sections. The following year, 1840, runs were acquired by Alexander Todd and Christopher Dawson Fenwicke. They were the first licensed lessees of Yarrowitch. Todd, licence 114, held east Yarrowitch containing 32,000 acres (130 km2), and Fenwicke, licence 53, held western Yarrowitch containing 30,400 acres (123 km2).
The Robertson Land Acts introduced in 1861 enabled small farmers to select blocks of Crown Land, and this further expanded the area. By 1900 the Yarrowitch district was fairly well established and an item from the Walcha Witness in 1898 gave an insight into life at Yarrowitch at the time ... "Yarrowitch News . . . Matters are looking up this way lately as regards selecting and new buildings. The new school building has been erected on a more sheltered situation and reflects credit on the contractor's workmanship. What with wheat and maize growing, pig farming and onion growing, some of the more recent selectors have now fairly lined pockets. The potato crop turned out fairly well but from appearances, wheat is going to be a general favourite with us". As well as these farming crops, cattle and sheep grazing and Australian Red Cedar cutting were the main sources of income.
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Wikipedia