Woolgoolga, New South Wales

Woolgoolga is a town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Pacific Highway, approximately 550 km north of Sydney and 365 km south of Brisbane. The closest city to Woolgoolga is Coffs Harbour, which lies 25.8 km to the south. Woolgoolga has two beaches on the Pacific Ocean. The area has long been a centre of banana growing in New South Wales, but this industry has declined in the face of competition from Queensland. Recent times have seen many banana plantations replaced by blueberries after banana sales slumped in the late 1990s. Timbergetting and sawmilling was established in 1883. A government jetty was constructed in 1892 upon which tramways were laid. These tramways led to sawmills in the town which in turn were connected by light railway to the Jesse Simpson Range forest areas. The jetty was demolished over a prolonged period from 1952 to 1956.[2]

Woolgoolga
New South Wales
Looking down to Woolgoolga from the headland
Woolgoolga
Coordinates30°07′S 153°12′E
Population5,290 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2456
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10)
 • Summer (DST)AEDT (UTC+11)
Location
LGA(s)City of Coffs Harbour
CountyFitzroy
State electorate(s)Coffs Harbour
Federal Division(s)Page

Demographics

Woolgoolga had a population of 5,290 people in 2016, including 229 indigenous persons and 3,662 Australian-born persons. The median age of all persons is 45 years. Notably, from the Census data, 804 persons (15%) speak Punjabi at home, 661 persons practise Sikhism and 666 persons (13%) were of Indian descent.[1]

History

Permanent European settlement occurred in the 1870s when the Hofmeier family moved to the area to make their selections. Prior to this, the area was inhabited by the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people. The name of the town derives from the word "Wiilgulga", which was used by the local Aboriginal people to describe the area, and the Black Apple trees that grew there.[3] The name "Woogoolga" was gazetted in 1888, and changed to the current name of Woolgoolga in 1966.[4]

Woolgoolga was an early centre of Sikh migration to Australia. Sikhs had migrated to New South Wales and Queensland prior to the imposition of the prohibition of non-European migration under the White Australia Policy in 1901 and many of them then led a marginalised life on the north coast of New South Wales and in southeastern Queensland. Some Sikhs began to settle in Woolgoolga during World War II, because war-time labour shortages led to a relaxation of the previous prohibition of non-European labour in the banana industry. After the war they were able to acquire leasehold and freehold banana plantations. Woolgoolga has the largest regional Sikh/Punjabi population in Australia,[5] and they are now said to own 90% of the banana farms and are also diversifying into blueberries.[6][7]

Tourism
Woolgoolga's main beach

Woolgoolga's coastal location and temperate climate make it a popular tourist destination. The town is bypassed by the Pacific Highway and many travellers break their journey in Woolgoolga.

The Sydney 2000 Olympics torch relay passed through Woolgoolga, as did the 2006 Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay.

In 2011, the area hosted Rally Australia, the 10th round of the World Rally Championship. It hosted stages 22 and 25 at Plum Pudding.

Temples

Woolgoolga has two complete Gurdwaras (temples):[6]

  • The First Sikh Temple Woolgoolga (the first purpose built Gurdwara in Australia)[8]
  • Guru Nanak Sikh Temple / Gurdwara[9] ('The Temple on the Hill')

As well as those there is another being constructed next to the First Sikh Temple.

Curryfest

Curryfest is the largest single gathering for the Woolgoolga community.[10] It is an annual celebration of Woolgoolga’s Punjabi heritage.[11] Inaugurated in 2006 (with the help of local celebrity Jack Thompson[12] and the Woolgoolga and Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce,[13] it is a celebration of the culture of the local Sikh community and is sponsored by the Regional Australian Bank.[14] In 2009 it became incorporated into its own identity. It still uses the name and backing of the Chamber of Commerce but now partially pays for the event itself, including through the introduction of a two dollar entry fee in 2009.[15] Approximately 180 stalls are set up with around 16,000 attendants.[16]

Background

Woolgolga is home to Australia’s largest Sikh/Punjabi population and has two Gurdwaras (temples).[17] The festival seeks to promote culture and business interests from this demographic in Australia. It was used as a case study for how event management has changed in the 21st century.[18]

Events

Events include: cooking (in 2019 the celebrity chef was Justine Schofield)[19] dancing, a kids’ entertainment area, mindfulness/meditation[20] space and a large stage for musical entertainment.[21] Prior to the actual event there is an assortment of activities which encourage out-of-towners to make a vacation out of the festival.[22]

The scheduled September 26, 2020 festivity was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and restricted 20-person outdoor gatherings.[23] For the September 25, 2021 event, the plan is to offer the Bollywood Express which travels from Sydney through New South Wales East Coast and ends up in Woolgoolga, Coffs Coast.[24] En route, travelers will be able to enjoy a Dholi drummer performance[25] while sitting in Indian-garland decorated carriages.[26]

Food and wine

Woolgoolga has a pub and a number of cafes and restaurants. These include: The Seaview Tavern (corner of Clarence and River Streets), also known as The Fountain on the Mountain, which is the only pub.[27] There is usually live music on Friday and Saturday nights and a function room upstairs where larger gigs take place. then there is Bluebottles Brasserie (corner of Beach Street and Lake Road) cafe which serves as a more upmarket establishment for lunch and dinner.[28] Thursday night is jazz night with live jazz music played throughout the evening. Other cafes are: Taffys, Audrey G's, Ground Earth, and The Beach House. Restaurants include: The Spice Rack, Thai Chai Yo Thai, Singhan Da Dhaba Indian and The Box Factory Burgers. There are two pizzerias: Woolgoolga Pizza Place and Riptide Pizzeria. Woolgoolga also has a Woolworths supermarket which is located right on Solitary Islands Way which was previously the Old Pacific Highway.[29]

Sporting clubs
  • Woolgoolga White Pointers, a Rugby Union club whose home ground is Centennial Oval.
  • Woolgoolga Seahorses (The Mighty Seahorses), a Rugby league club whose home ground is situated at the local high school's fields. They play in Group 2 Rugby League.
  • Woolgoolga United Football Club, a Soccer club situated at High Street.
  • Woolgoolga Australian Football Club (The Blues), an Australian Rules Football club who team up with the Grafton Tigers to contest the North Coast Australian Football League competition. The junior competition sides have changed their name to Northern Beaches. The Northern Beaches play at Centennial Oval while the Blues play a minority of their games in Woolgoolga, the majority are played at Ellem Oval in Grafton.
  • Woolgoolga District Netball Association, formed in 2006 for ages 5+. WDNA has a local competition as well as representative participation in the Netball NSW State Age Championships. The clubhouse and courts are located on the corner of Nightingale and Scarborough Streets.
  • WASP (Woolgoolga Area Surfing Posse), a local boardriders club that holds annual competitions around the area.
  • Woolgoolga Surf Life Saving Club, as the name states, a Surf Lifesaving club that has been around since the 1930s, which patrols Woolgoolga Beach. It caters from ages 5–14 in Nippers, and can take part in carnivals held around the area. Ages 15+ can patrol the main beach, if they have a Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion.
  • Northern Beaches Hockey Club, a hockey club that plays in Coffs Harbour near the BCU International Stadium.
  • Woolgoolga Athletics Club, a club that trains and competes in track and field, at the local high school oval across the summer months.

Notable current and former residents
  • Air Marshal Sir Charles Read (1919-2014) former RAAF Chief of the Air Staff[30] retired in Woolgoolga.
  • Actor Jack Thompson. Thompson has played a vital role in the organisation and running of community events both in Woolgoolga and surrounding regions.[31]
  • Emma Moffatt, two-time women's triathlon world champion, attended Woolgoolga High School
  • Former Professional Surfer Shaun Cansdell attended Woolgoolga High School.
  • Jane Richards, 2014 Hong Kong half-marathon champion, human rights campaigner and notable Ironman participant.
  • Augusta Supple, theatre director/producer attended Woolgoolga High School.[32]
  • Trade diplomat and current Victorian government Commissioner to India, Michelle Wade grew up in Woolgoolga and attended the local public schools[33]
  • CEO of Choice Magazine, Alan Kirkland attended Woolgoolga High School.[34]
  • Technology entrepreneur Claes Loberg grew up in Woolgoolga and attended the local public schools.
  • Robin Barker, Australia’s best selling baby book author, grew up in Woolgoolga.[35]
  • Brisbane Architect, Craig Gralton attended Woolgoolga High School.
  • Leading Digital Media Strategist, Hamish Lane has frequently holidayed at Woolgoolga since he was a child

Education
Woolgoolga High School

Woolgoolga has three schools:

Library and cultural facilities

Library

  • Coffs Harbour City Library and Information Service - Woolgoolga branch

Museums

  • Woolgoolga RSL Sub-branch Museum

Local media
  • Woopi News - Community magazine, hard copy, free
  • The Coffs Coast Advocate, digital subscription only
  • Fresh FM - Woolgoolga's Own Radio 87.6 fm Low powered radio; streaming option

Transport

Bus and coaches

Taxis

Woolgoolga Taxi Service services the local area.

Train

The nearest station is Coffs Harbour railway station.

Air travel

The nearest airport is Coffs Harbour Regional Airport.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Woolgoolga (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  2. Longworth, Jim. "The Jetty and Sawmill Tramways of Woolgoolga", Australian Railway History, February 2007, pp.58-76
  3. "Woolgoolga". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  4. Hayes, Matt. "Woolgoolga-Local History". Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  5. "Woolgoolga Curryfest-Sikh Indians-Celebrate the Cultural Diversity". Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  6. More, Dr A; Singh, Mon. "Sikh Community at Woolgoolga". Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  7. Kohn, Rachael. "The Sikhs in Australia". The Ark. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  8. "Woolgoolga". Destination NSW. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  9. "Guru Nanak Sikh Temple (Gurudwara)". Woolgoolga Heritage Walk. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  10. "Woolgoolga Curryfest".
  11. "Curry Festival". Woolgoolga By The Sea. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  12. "A weekend in Woolgoolga on the Coffs Coast". Coastbeat. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  13. "CurryFest - Woolgoolga". Arts Mid North Coast. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  14. "Page 5 - Financial news and articles for regional Australians | The Inside Story by Regional Australia Bank". Regional Australia Bank. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  15. Star FM 105.5 interview 9 April 2009
  16. "Curryfest: Saturday, 25th September 2021". www.accorvacationclub.com.au.
  17. "Woolgoolga's Annual Curryfest Comes to Town". Coastbeat. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  18. Kumar, Anuj; Agarwal, Parul (2017). "How Event Management Has Changed in 21st Century: Analysis of Woolgoolga Curryfest Festival". Rochester, NY. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. "4 of the Most Popular Spicy Recipes from Curryfest | ETC". ETC Employment & Training. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  20. "Woolgoolga | Light of Love - Sahaja Yoga Meditation Newsletter". www.sahajayoga.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  21. "Curryfest". Coffs Coast. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  22. "Curryfest". New South Wales. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  23. Media -, News Of The Area-Modern (29 July 2020). "Woolgoolga Curryfest postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19". News Of The Area. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  24. "Bollywood Express". bollywoodexpress.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  25. "Bollywood Dhol Drummers for Hire | Giardino Strings | UK". Giardino Strings. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  26. McCarthy, Rory. "HE SIKH DIASPORA IN AUSTRALIA: MIGRATION, MULTICULTURALISM AND THE IMAGINING OF HOME" (PDF). Pittsburgh University.
  27. "Seaview Tavern Woolgoolga". Seaview Tavern. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  28. "Home". Bluebottles Brasserie. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  29. "Woolworths Supermarket - Buy Groceries Online". www.woolworths.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  30. Vuillermin, David (ed.) (2007–2008). Who's Who in Australia 2008. North Melbourne: Crown Content. p. 1766. ISBN 978-1-74095-160-9.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  31. http://www.nma.gov.au/shared/libraries/attachments/review/review_submissions/mr_thompson/files/271/Mr_Thompson.pdf
  32. "BLAST FROM THE PAST: (BITTER) SWEET SIXTEEN (or Nirvana in the Bananas) | Augusta Supple".
  33. "Michelle Wade: Forging closer ties between Victoria and South Asia". Advance.
  34. Dapin, Mark (3 May 2013). "Making the big choices simpler". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  35. "Robin Baker, Baby Care Guru, Moves On". The Australian. 20 April 2019.
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