Kangaroo Valley (Dharawal language: Parronrah) is a river valley along the Kangaroo River in the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, Australia, located west of the seaside in the City of Shoalhaven. It is also the name of the small suburb within it, formerly known as Osborne, with a population of 879 in the . and monthly markets at Kangaroo Valley Village Markets.

History

The first inhabitants of Kangaroo Valley were the Australian Aboriginal Wodi-Wodi people, who had reportedly occupied the land for around 20,000 years before the European settlement of Australia in 1788. An 1826 census indicated 79 Aborigines lived in the valley in five separate encampments. The first recorded European sighting of the valley was in April 1812, when surveyor-explorer George Evans passed through the area as he travelled north from his exploration of Jervis Bay. Evans reportedly claimed that the valley offered a view that "no painter could beautify."

The area was first settled in 1817 when Charles Throsby, an explorer and Captain Richard Brooks, a cattleman, opened the area for colonial settlement. The felling and exporting of Australian red cedar (Toona ciliata) trees quickly became the main industry in Kangaroo Valley. By the mid-1840s, a number of dairy farmers made the region their home, specialising in the production of butter as other dairy products such as milk could not be exported as they would often curdle long before they had completed the journey out of Kangaroo Valley to neighbouring settlements.

By the 1870s, activity had begun to concentrate in the area that is now the village, as other centres in Kangaroo Valley, such as Trendally, died with the dairy industry in the region. Both the Church of the Good Shepherd (built in 1870–72) and rectory (built in 1879 by John Tanner) were designed by John Horbury Hunt, and are listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate.

The local public school was built in 1884 of local sandstone. Further additions constructed of weatherboard and brick were made later. The local courthouse was built c.1910, also of local sandstone. The design is asymmetrical and features a sloping buttress and arch. The main buildings include a residence and lock-up as well as the courthouse itself. Alterations and extensions have taken place over the years. The local school and the courthouse are both listed on the Register of the National Estate.

Demographics

In the 2016 Census, there were 879 people in Kangaroo Valley. 69.7% of people were born in Australia and 88.5% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion in Kangaroo Valley were "no religion" 35.1%, Anglican 21.4% and Catholic 14.3%.

The annual Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival in October is presented by Shoalhaven Folk Club Inc with local, Australian and international performers.

The historic township of Kangaroo Valley shares its secrets with a visit to the Pioneer Farm Museum where this historical settlement depicting farm life in the second half of the 19th and early 20th century is brought to life. Invigorating bush walks are available at the back of the museum park including the Walker Suspension Bridge spanning 72 metres and leading to two marked bush walks on more than seven hectares of natural reserve.

Education

Kangaroo Valley Public School is a genuine country school with a close knit community and supportive P&C Association. A small school, providing a happy, nurturing and quality educational experience for all its students. For many years, it has achieved and maintained an excellent standard in academic, sporting, community and cultural endeavours.

In addition to a local public primary school, The Scots College Glengarry outdoor education campus for year-nine students is located in Kangaroo Valley, with five 20-bed dormitories, six classrooms, a gymnasium and a theatrette. The Scots College participates in several community events including the traffic stopping ANZAC Day March and Ceremony and the A&H Society Annual Show in February.

See also

  • Shoalhaven Scheme

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Kangaroo Valley, Hampton Bridge-1.jpg|Hampden Bridge, 2006

CountryTown0005.jpg|Pioneer Village Museum

Kangaroo Valley Roman Catholic Church.jpg|Catholic church

KangarooValley2.jpg|Church of the Good Shepherd

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References