Dareton, New South Wales

Dareton is a town in the far west of New South Wales, Australia. The town is located on the Silver City Highway, 1,025 kilometres west of the state capital, Sydney and 20 kilometres from the regional centre, Mildura, across the border in Victoria. Part of the Wentworth Shire local government area, at the 2011 census, Dareton had a population of 516.[1]

Dareton
New South Wales
Tapio Ave, the main street of Dareton
Dareton is located in New South Wales
Dareton
Dareton
Coordinates34°05′0″S 142°01′0″E
Population501 (2016 census)[1]
Established1922
Postcode(s)2717
Location
LGA(s)Wentworth Shire
State electorate(s)Murray
Federal division(s)Farrer

Located on the Murray River, the town is at the heart of the Coomealla Irrigation Area. Dareton was once home to an Aboriginal mission, which is now a residential area for Aboriginal people. Australian Test cricket captain Mark Taylor spent part of his early life in Dareton.[2]

History
Rushton 4cyl oil-diesel engine. This ran as an engine driving an irrigation pump to draw water from the Murray River for the Coomealla Irrigation Area. It is now an exhibit in a park in the town.

Dareton had its genesis in 1922 with the recommendation to establish irrigation in the area. Pioneering settlers moved to the district soon after, but it was not until after World War II and the establishment of soldier settler farms that Dareton began to prosper. Dareton is named for the then Water Conservation and Irrigation Commissioner Henry Dare, who was a strong advocate for the irrigation scheme.[3]

Today
The Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club, on the Silver City Highway in Dareton

Dareton today is a producer of grapes and dried fruit. It boasts a championship golf course and is a popular location for fishing and camping.

A major local entity is the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club. It operates a large gambling and social facility, plus various sporting facilities (including a golf course). The club was immensely popular with South Australians and Victorians looking for a pokies venue when they were unavailable in those states.

Schools include Dareton Public School, Coomealla High School and the Coomealla Campus of the Riverina Institute.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Dareton (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  2. Taylor, Mark (1999). Time to Declare. Sydney: Ironbark. p. 17. ISBN 0-330-36184-8.
  3. Wentworth Shire Council - Official website.

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