Braidwood Courthouse built 1901

Braidwood (postcode: 2622, 35°26′S 149°48′E) is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, in Palerang Shire. The population of Braidwood and its surrounds was about 2,800 at the time of the 2000 census. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 722 KB) Courthouse at Braidwood, New South Wales photographed May 2005. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 722 KB) Courthouse at Braidwood, New South Wales photographed May 2005. ... The Southern Tablelands is a geographic area of the State of New South Wales, Australia. ... Emblems: Floral - Waratah (Telopea speciosissima); Bird - Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas); Animal - Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus); Fish - Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Slogan or Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Const. ... The Palerang Council (), is a Local Government Area (LGA) in the Southern Tablelands Region of New South Wales, Australia. ...

Geography

Braidwood is located on the Kings Highway linking Canberra to Batemans Bay on the coast. It is about 200 kilometres south west of Sydney and about 60 kilometres inland from the coast. It is located in a highland area near the headwaters of the Shoalhaven River. This has become a source of discontent in Braidwood as Sydney appropriates a quantity of water from the Shoalhaven River. Kings Highway (formerly called Kings Way), National Route 52, links Canberrans to the coast Kings Highway connects Canberra and Batemans Bay. ... For other articles with similar names, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... Batemans Bay is a town on the South Coast of the State of New South Wales, Australia. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... The Shoalhaven River is a river on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. ...

History

European explorers reached the district in 1822 (Kearns, Marsh and Packer). The area was first settled by Europeans in the 1820s, and the town was surveyed in 1839. Gold was discovered in 1851, and for the next two decades the district's population grew to about 10,000. This article is about the continent. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1839 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

The town was named after Dr Thomas Braidwood Wilson. He had been a surgeon-superintendent of ships taking convicts to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land (now known as Tasmania). He was first granted land in Van Diemen's Land in 1824, which he exchanged for land near Lake George in 1825. In addition he was given 2560 acres (10 km²) which he selected in the 'new country' on two tributaries of the Shoalhaven, Monkittee and Flood creeks. In 1833 the western end of Wilson's grant was resumed and reserved for a future village and a similar area added to the eastern end in compensation. Wilson settled in the district in late 1836 with his wife and family. He became a community leader and amongst other things contracted to build the first courthouse in 1837-38. In 1840 Wilson petitioned the government to build a road from Braidwood to Huskisson to enable faster and cheaper shipping of the wool clip to Sydney and, with Col. John Mackenzie, supplied the materials and labour for the Braidwood to Nerriga section. In 1841 Braidwood Farm had 141 residents. Wilson was sent bankrupt due to a drought in the late 1830s and the subsequent depression. He died in November 1843. His land was sold to John Coghill for £2,000 who now owned all the land on the south, east and north of the town. However, before his death, Wilson had purchased the block immediately to the north of Braidwood. He was buried on this block, high on the hill overlooking the town. Thomas Braidwood Wilson (1792 - 1843). ... A surgeon-superintendent was the official on board a convict transport ship and ships transporting indentured labour, with overall authority in all non-nautical matters. ... Van Diemens Land was the original name used by Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. ... Emblems: Flora - Tasmanian Blue Gum Motto: Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Slogan or Nickname: The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Const. ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1825 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1833 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... October 2, Charles Darwin returns from his voyage around the world. ... | Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1837 - 1901) 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... | Jöns Jakob Berzelius, discoverer of protein 1838 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Huskisson is a town in New South Wales, Australia, on the shores of Jervis Bay. ... Nerriga is a small village in New South Wales, Australia, situated at the edge of Morton National Park, on the Braidwood-Nowra road. ... 1841 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1843 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

A memorial and large pine tree mark the site of Wilson's grave, from which there are views of the town. The path to the grave is open to the public and is through a series of paddocks intersected by gateway sculptures and installations by local artists.

As a former gold-rush town with prosperity lasting for several years bank and hotel buildings were substantial and the surviving heritage attracts visitors. The main rural activities in the region are sheep and cattle. There are also forestry operations.

Braidwood was formerly the seat of the Tallaganda local government area. However, following restructuring of local government areas by the New South Wales Government, it is now part of the Palerang council and the eastern office of the council is located in the town. The local paper is now called the Braidwood Times. Emblems: Floral - Waratah (Telopea speciosissima); Bird - Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas); Animal - Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus); Fish - Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Slogan or Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Const. ... The Palerang Council (), is a Local Government Area (LGA) in the Southern Tablelands Region of New South Wales, Australia. ...

Through much of the 20th century, Braidwood was essentially in rural recession. Amongst other consequences, very little building work was carried out, and as a result the town entered the 21st century with much of its original streetscape and architecture intact. On 30 March 2006 the town and its setting were listed on the NSW State Heritage Register, following a period of unpleasant dispute between those wishing to preserve the town's charm and those wishing to develop it.

The town has several times been used for film locations, including Ned Kelly (1970 film), The Year My Voice Broke (1987), On our Selection (1995), and Finding Joy (2003). Local legend has it that Mick Jagger wrote one of his major hits while on location to make Ned Kelly; but there is no agreement as to which one. Ned Kelly is the title of a 1970 movie. ... The Year My Voice Broke is a 1987 film by director John Duigan. ...

External links

• NSW Heritage listing for Braidwood
• Heritage information about various buildings in Braidwood
• Information about Braidwood
• Palerang council website (note as at April 2006 web address still incorporated Tallaganda in name)