Wellington

History

The area now known as Wellington lies on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. The 'Wambuul' (Macquarie River) was an important source of sustenance for this widespread Aboriginal group united by kinship and a common language. Surviving evidence in the Wellington area of the occupation by the Wiradjuri people prior to European contact includes rock shelters with archaeological deposits, a carved tree, scarred trees, open camp sites, grinding grooves sites and bora (ceremonial) grounds. The city still has a strong Aboriginal presence, largely as a result of early missionary settlements set up there, other Aboriginal campsites, such as the Wellington Common, and, from 1910, the Nanima Aboriginal Reserve, all of which kept local people residing in the area. In 2007, a group of Wiradjuri people won a Native Title claim, over the area known as the Wellington Common, where many Wiradjuri lived, and that land was returned to its traditional owners. The European discovery of the Wellington Valley occurred during the return journey of John Oxley's Lachlan River expedition in 1817. While crossing from the Bogan River to the Macquarie River in August 1817 Oxley and his party happened upon the Wellington Valley with the Bell River running through it. They followed the river to its junction with the Macquarie. Oxley was effusive about the valley, describing it as “beautifully picturesque” and “studded with fine trees upon a soil which may be equalled, but can never be excelled”. The Bell River was named “as a compliment to Brevet Major Bell of the 48th Regiment” and the Wellington Valley was named after the Duke of Wellington. In January 1823 Lieutenant Percy Simpson was appointed by the colonial government to establish a settlement at the junction of the Bell and…

Most-observed species

• Galah

  Eolophus roseicapilla (Vieillot, 1817) · Aves
  574
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  500
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  499
• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  495
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

  Cacatua galerita (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  488
• Eastern Rosella

  Platycercus eximius (Shaw, 1792) · Aves
  455
• Superb Fairywren

  Malurus cyaneus (Ellis, 1782) · Aves
  453
• Welcome Swallow

  Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842 · Aves
  390

Most recent

• M 3.7 — 2008-03-18
  32 km NE of Peak Hill, Australia
• M 2.8 — 2007-08-24
  12 km SSW of Dubbo, Australia