Waikerie, South Australia
| Waikerie South Australia | |
|---|---|
 Peake Tce, the main street of Waikerie | |
  Waikerie | |
| Coordinates | 34°10′0″S 139°59′0″E / 34.16667°S 139.98333°ECoordinates: 34°10′0″S 139°59′0″E / 34.16667°S 139.98333°E |
| Population | 1,744 (2006)[1] |
| Postcode(s) | 5330 |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | District Council of Loxton Waikerie |
| State electorate(s) | Chaffey |
| Federal Division(s) | Barker |
Waikerie is a rural town in the Riverland region of South Australia on the south bank of the Murray River. At the 2006 census, Waikerie had a population of 1,744.[1] The Sturt Highway passes to the south of the town at the top of the cliffs. There is a cable ferry crossing the river to provide vehicle access from the north side of the river.
The town of Waikerie derives its name from Weikari, which is claimed to mean 'the rising'. However some linguistic anthropologists argue that the name refers to the spider creator god from local creation myths.[2] The Waikerieness was said to fend off monthly centipede infestations by leaking seeds all over the area. This refers to the emergence of many ghost moths (especially Trictena argentata : Hepialidae) from the ground among the river red gums after heavy rain.
Waikerie is well known for citrus growing and gliding, as the flat dry terrain provides good thermals.
Waikerie is in the District Council of Loxton Waikerie, the South Australian House of Assembly electoral district of Chaffey and the Australian House of Representatives Division of Barker. Prior to the boundary adjustment for the 2004 election, Waikerie was in the Division of Wakefield.
Waikerie Airport
Waikerie Airport is near Waikerie. It is home to the Waikerie Gliding Club. It has two runways 08/26 and 02/20.
Sport
Waikerie is home to the Waikerie Magpies Football Club (Australian Rules), who currently play in the Riverland Football League. Former Adelaide Crows captain Mark Ricciuto is from Waikerie and played his junior football with the Magpies.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Waikerie (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
- ↑ Peter K. Austin The Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) Language, northern New South Wales — A Brief History of Research. James Cook University, 1988. http://www.hrelp.org/aboutus/staff/peter_austin/AustinGamil.pdf
External links
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