Jugiong

Coordinates: 34°49′23″S 148°19′29″E / 34.82306°S 148.32472°E / -34.82306; 148.32472
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Jugiong
New South Wales
Entering Jugiong at the old Hume Highway
Jugiong is located in New South Wales
Jugiong
Jugiong
Coordinates34°49′23″S 148°19′29″E / 34.82306°S 148.32472°E / -34.82306; 148.32472
Population303 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2726
Elevation303 m (994 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Hilltops Council
State electorate(s)Cootamundra
Federal division(s)Hume

Jugiong is a small village on the bank of the Murrumbidgee River in New South Wales, Australia. It is 344 km south west of Sydney on the Hume Highway. The first people to live in the area were indigenous Australians, the Wiradjuri people. The first Europeans were the explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell on their trip in 1824.[2] Henry O'Brien, an Irishman, started farming sheep in 1825. His farm, called the Jugiong Run, was 125,000 acres.[2] Explorer Charles Sturt reached the Murrumbidgee at Jugiong in 1829 at the start of his travels down the river.

Tavern[change | change source]

Sir George Tavern at Jugiong

In 1845 another Irishman named John Philip Sheahan (1816–December 9, 1877)[3] built the Sir George Tavern (an hotel) which made Jugiong an important resting place on the new road, the Great Southern Road, to Melbourne. The building was destroyed in a flood in 1852. The flood also destroyed the buildings at the town of Gundagai. Sheahan rebuilt the hotel with walls up to 500 mm thick and it is still in use; remaining in the family throughout the preceding years. It is the oldest family owned hotel in Australia.[4]

The Village[change | change source]

The first blocks of land at Jugiong were sold at auction in 1853. Three years later a post office was opened. In 1858 a police station was built, and work started on a catholic church, St.John the Evangelist. About 120 people were living at Jugiong by 1862.[2] An Anglican church was started in 1872. The Jugiong Public [1] school opened in 1883 with 56 students.[2] Australian cricket player Richie Benaud started his schooling at Jugiong in 1935.[5]

Bushrangers[change | change source]

On 15 November 1864 bushrangers (thieves) stopped all traffic including the mail stagecoach (a cart pulled by horses) 5 km south of Jugiong. Over 60 people were stopped by the bushrangers. They wanted to steal (take with force) gold, money and other valuables. The bushrangers were Ben Hall, John Gilbert and John Dunn. In the attack one policeman, Sergeant Edmund Parry was shot dead by John Gilbert.

Song[change | change source]

A song called The Road to Jugiong [6] with words by Robert John Cassidy (1880–1948) and music by James A.Steele was published by Allans, Melbourne, in 1940.

Bypass[change | change source]

In 1995, the new Hume Freeway, went around the village. In 1996 a new rest and picnic area was built to help travelers take a break on their journey. Facilities at Jugiong include:

References[change | change source]

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Jugiong (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 April 2015. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Unknown (1996), A Brief History of Jugiong, Jugiong Village and Development Committee
  3. "Jugiong Cemetery". members.iinet.net.au.
  4. "Jugiong". The Age. 8 February 2004.
  5. "Jugiong". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-11-26.[permanent dead link]
  6. "The road to Jugiong [music] : song". nla.gov.au.