Singleton, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Singleton
state = nsw


caption = Location of Singleton in New South Wales (red)
lga = Singleton Shire Council
postcode = 2330
est =
pop = 13,665
elevation= 40
maxtemp = 24.7
mintemp = 11.1
rainfall = 645.4
stategov = Upper Hunter
fedgov = Hunter
dist1 = 197
dir1 = N
location1= Sydney
dist2 = 80
dir2 = NW
location2= Newcastle
dist3 = 47
dir3 = SE
location3= Muswellbrook

Singleton is a town on the banks of the Hunter River in New South Wales, Australia. Singleton lies approximately 2.5 hours (183 km) northwest of Sydney, and around an hour (79 km) northwest of Newcastle. [Robinson's Road Atlas of Australia, Lansdowne Press, 1983] At the 2006 census, Singleton had a population of 13,665 with 21,937 including the surrounding rural district.Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL169400|name=Singleton (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=2007-06-30|quick=on]

Singleton's main urban area includes the town centre, Singleton Heights, Dunolly, Darlington, The Retreat and Hunterview. Surrounding rural villages include Broke, Camberwell, Jerry's Plains and Belford.

The town is located at the junction of the New England Highway and Putty Road. The Golden Highway bypasses the town to the south. Singleton is also served by Cityrail and Countrylink rail services. Singleton Railway Station is located at the southern end of the town centre. There are also bus services, both intercity and local.

History

Singleton was established in the 1820s by Benjamin Singleton. In its early years it was also called St Patricks' Plains. The Main North Railway line reached Singleton in 1863 and was the end of the line until 1869. The town retains many historic buildings, including the original courthouse built in 1841, various large churches and many traditional Australian pubs. The countryside surrounding Singleton contains an unusual number of fine old mansions, reflecting the aristocratic nature of land grants when the area was settled. They include 'Neotsfield' (1828), the elaborate 'Baroona' (1829), 'Abbey Green' (1865) and stunning 'Minimbah' (1877).

Singleton was subject to the major flooding of the Hunter River in 1955, causing excessive damage to the town. When the area was being settled, the government originally attempted to create a town at Whittingham in a flood-free area, but the town grew by the river nonetheless. An embankment was constructed following the 1955 floods to help protect the town against any future flooding.

In 1999, the town's army barracks became a temporary home to a large number of Kosovar refugees.

Industry & Commerce

Major industries near Singleton include coal mining, energy generation, light industry, vineyards, horse breeding and cattle production. Dairying was once a mainstay in the area, but has declined.

There is a large army barracks to the south of the town at Whittingham. The barracks has its own airfield.

Being the largest town in the Upper Hunter, Singleton is an important commercial centre. The town centre boasts three small shopping centres, a cinema complex, homemaker centre as well as a traditional 'main street'. Major stores include Woolworths, Big W, Franklins, IGA and most conventional high street stores. People also will often travel to nearby Maitland and Newcastle for large regional shopping centres.

Singleton residents have a higher than average median income due to the nearby coal mines. At the 2006 census, the median individual income was $62,036.

Tourism

* Sundial. Singleton is home to one of the world's largest sundials, presented by a local coal mine for the 1988 Bicentennial Celebrations.
* Wineries. The town is close to the famous Pokolbin wine region (southeast). There are also many wineries in the shire, especially around Broke.
* Boating. Lake St Clair is an artificial lake located to the north of the town, with facilities for boating and camping.
* National Parks. Wollemi and Yengo National Parks are located south of the town via the Putty Road. Barrington Tops National Park borders the north of the shire.
* Town Walk. In the older parts of Singleton, there is a posted walk that passes by many of the towns historic buildings.
* Museums. Singleton has three main museums, the Singleton Historic Society Museum in Burdekin Park, the Royal Australian Infantry Corps Museum at the nearby barracks and the Mercy Convent Museum 'Sacred Spaces' within the grounds of the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy (Singleton).

National Estate

Singleton Shire contains a number of buildings and other sites that are on the Register of the National Estate [The Heritage of Australia, Macmillan Company, 1981]

* Anglican Church of St James, Jerrys Plains

* "Strowan", Denman Road, Jerrys Plains

* Singleton Railway Station

* All Saints Church, Singleton, including Rectory, Dangars Mausoleum and All Saints Sunday School

* Court House, Elizabeth Street, Singleton

* Ewbank and outbuildings, George Street, Singleton

* Club House Hotel, John Street, Singleton

* "Minimbah House" (formerly "Dulcamah"), Whittingham, near Singleton

* Appletree Aboriginal Area, 75 kilometres north-west of Newcastle

* Baiame Cave (popular name), Aboriginal paintings, Milbrodale area

Education

Singleton is home at a number of educational facilities. These include public and denominational schools at both primary and secondary levels, as well as a TAFE campus and a number of pre-schools.

Primary schools within the shire include the Broke Public School, Jerrys Plains Public School, King Street Public School, Milbrodale Public School, Mount Pleasant Public School, Singleton Heights Public School, Singleton Public School and the denominational St Catherine's Catholic College.

Secondary schools in the area include the public Singleton High School, the denominational St Catherine's Catholic College, and Singleton Christian College.

Hunter Institute of TAFE maintains a campus in Singleton. It provides training and further education as well as collaborating with secondary schools for students completing senior years.

Notable locals

*While obviously not born in Singleton, the township's founder Benjamin Singleton is buried in a local graveyard.
*Some famous sportspeople include rugby league players Steve Simpson, Luke Price (Brisbane Broncos), Leigh McWilliams, Riley Brown and Rugby Union players Steve Merrick and Joshua Valentine.
*Former New South Wales Premier, Sir Charles Wade was born in Singleton, serving as premier from 1907-1910.
*Though not born in Singleton, Joe Governor (an infamous bushranger) is buried outside the local Anglican cemetery. The book and film 'The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith' is based on the activities of him and his brother.

Sister city

* Takahata, Japan

References

External links

* [http://www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/ Official Singleton Shire Council Page]
* [http://walkabout.com.au/locations/NSWSingleton.shtml Tourism information from Walkabout]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=singleton,+australia&ie=UTF8&ll=-32.567648,151.207581&spn=0.140908,0.335426&t=h&om=1 Google Maps satellite image of Singleton]