Maitland, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Maitland is a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales
, Australia
and the seat of Maitland City Council, situated on the Hunter River approximately 166 kilometres (103 mi) by road north of Sydney
and 35 km (22 mi) north-west of Newcastle
. It is on the New England Highway
about 17 km (11 mi) from its start at Hexham
.
It has approximately 61,431 inhabitants, spread over an area of 396 square kilometres (153 sq mi), although the main built-up area predominantly forms a strip along the New England Highway between the suburb
s of Rutherford and Metford respectively. The city centre is located on the southern bank of the Hunter River, protected by a levee
from potential flooding.
Surrounding areas include the cities of Cessnock
and Singleton
Local Government Areas.
veteran. Each town functioned as if they were separate municipalities.
The present city was proclaimed in 1945 with the amalgamation of the three local government areas. The city's boundaries have been increased by incorporating parts of other local government areas since then (most notably Kearsley Shire which from 1946 to 1949 was the only local government area in Australia's history to have a Communist
majority of councillors).
West Maitland was founded in 1820 close to the tidal reach of the Hunter River where vessels with a shallow draft
could navigate. Nearby Morpeth
served as the head of navigation for larger ships (later, steamships), and goods would be transhipped upriver to West Maitland on barges and smaller vessels. Originally the route river route between Morpeth and West Maitland was 26 kilometres (16.2 mi), today after various floods and river course changes this has reduced to just 9 kilometres (5.6 mi).
Maitland was therefore the point at which goods were unloaded for, and distributed to, the prosperous riverland of the Hunter Valley. Accordingly there were large warehouses (some of which still exist) built, which faced onto the main High Street and backed onto the Hunter River. For almost 20 years until the Victorian gold rush
, Maitland was the second largest town in Australia. The arrival of the railway from Newcastle in the 1850s, coupled with the increasing silting of the river and larger ships spelt the end of the traditional river traffic.
The first electricity connected in the area was to Maitland Town Hall in 1922, to the Hall's front light.
was opened in 1869 and named in honour of the then Governor of New South Wales
, the 4th Earl of Belmore. Although the bridge proved vital to the city's development, the floods of 1893, 1913 and 1930 began to heighten the need for a new bridge that could withstand periodic flooding. A second Belmore Bridge, designed to withstand the impact of debris during floods, was built adjacent to the 1869 bridge in 1964. The new bridge, which redirected traffic away from St. Andrews Street to a new intersection at the Maitland Court Couse, is one of the city's three main river crossings.
Maitland's proximity to the Hunter River
has resulted in a succession of floods since European settlement. Over 200 floods have occurred on the Hunter River since settlement, 13 of those higher than the river's normal peak limit of 10.7 metres (35.1 ft). Of these 13, all have had a direct effect on the city of Maitland.
Between 1830 and 1834 Maitland experienced five floods. The 1832 flood was severe with water reaching about 8.84 m (29 ft) and killing seven people. The 1834 flood water reached the same height. In the winter of 1857 the Hunter River rose again to record heights, reaching 9.2 m (30 ft). Flooding continued for the next 30 years with the floods of the 1890s being the most disastrous. Much of the riverbank collapsed and many people were left without homes or personal possessions.
However, the 1940s and 1950s saw an increase in rainfall and the river rose again and again. In February 1955, Maitland and the Hunter Valley experienced its most severe flood in recorded history. The 1955 Hunter Valley floods, also commonly known as "The Maitland Flood", was the first Australian natural disaster to be broadcast by the media on an international scale. This flood is considered to be one of Australia’s worst floods. The waters reached 12.5 m (41 ft) and caused catastrophic damage. The volume of flood water was approximately 3750000 millilitres (824.9 imp gal) and the cost of damage, in today’s currency, would have been over A$
2 billion. Seven thousand buildings and homes were damaged and the flood claimed the lives of 14 people.
In early June 2007 an intense low pressure system
which caused devastating storms to hit the city of Newcastle
and the Central Coast
also caused major flooding throughout the lower Hunter Region including the Maitland area. During the flooding on 11 June 2007 the Hunter River was expected to reach a peak of 11.3 m (37.1 ft) at Maitland's Belmore Bridge and break levee banks. Some 4000 residents of the suburb of Lorn
were evacuated before the floodwaters became stable at 10.7 m (35.1 ft) and did not invade central Matiland. Other areas did not escape with waters inundating homes in Branxton
, Louth Park and Raymond Terrace
. The flood has been compared to the devastating 1955 Hunter Valley floods.
, located on Church Street, was the place of worship for about 70 families between 1879 and 1898.
(East Maitland), (Centro Maitland Hunter Mall) High Street Mall (City Centre), Rutherford, Melbourne Street (East Maitland) and Lawes Street (East Maitland). Morpeth
, a suburb of Maitland, is also popular for its fashion boutiques, cafes and speciality shops.
, the industrial history of the Walka Water Works
, the historic river port town of Morpeth
and the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
lies on the Hunter line
and is the branch point for the Main North Line
and the North Coast Line
.
Other railway stations in Maitland include:
A passenger tram system
ran from East to West Maitland between 1909 and 1926 after which it was replaced by buses which continue to service the route today.
and The Newcastle Herald
are the foremost newspapers in the city. The Mercury, established in 1843, operates out of offices on High Street and is Australia's oldest regional newspaper. The Lower Hunter Star is an adjunct to the Mercury and is published every Thursday. With a circulation of almost 20,000, The Lower Hunter Star is delivered to most residents within the City of Maitland
.
is an annual festival celebrating the history of steam power. It was established in 1985 in response to the temporary closure of the extensive South Maitland Railway
network to Cessnock
.
. It is a celebration of beer, food and music.
A new technical college is being developed within the city.
Maitland has twenty primary schools and seven high schools. The high schools are:
There are also numerous pre-school and day care
facilities.
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and the seat of Maitland City Council, situated on the Hunter River approximately 166 kilometres (103 mi) by road north of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and 35 km (22 mi) north-west of Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
. It is on the New England Highway
New England Highway
The New England Highway is a highway in Australia running from Hexham near Newcastle at its southern end to Yarraman near Toowoomba at its northern end. At its southern end it connects to the Pacific Highway and at its northern end it connects to the D'Aguilar Highway. It traverses the Hunter...
about 17 km (11 mi) from its start at Hexham
Hexham, New South Wales
Hexham is a suburb of the city of Newcastle, about inland from Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia on the bank of the Hunter River.Settlement occurred at Hexham in the 1820s when the land was granted to Edward Sparke...
.
It has approximately 61,431 inhabitants, spread over an area of 396 square kilometres (153 sq mi), although the main built-up area predominantly forms a strip along the New England Highway between the suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s of Rutherford and Metford respectively. The city centre is located on the southern bank of the Hunter River, protected by a levee
Levee
A levee, levée, dike , embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels...
from potential flooding.
Surrounding areas include the cities of Cessnock
City of Cessnock
Cessnock City Council is a Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, located to the west of Newcastle. The largest population centre and council seat is the city of Cessnock, after which the LGA is named....
and Singleton
Singleton Shire Council
Singleton Council is a local government area in New South Wales, Australia. It is on the New England Highway and CityRail's Hunter line.- Main towns and villages :...
Local Government Areas.
History
Originally Maitland consisted of three separate towns which arose roughly all around the same time. West Maitland, now just Maitland, was a privately founded town which grew because of its proximity to the river and which today is the commercial centre of the city. The other areas were East Maitland, which was established by the colonial New South Wales government, and Morpeth, another private town founded by Lt Close, a Peninsular WarPeninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
veteran. Each town functioned as if they were separate municipalities.
The present city was proclaimed in 1945 with the amalgamation of the three local government areas. The city's boundaries have been increased by incorporating parts of other local government areas since then (most notably Kearsley Shire which from 1946 to 1949 was the only local government area in Australia's history to have a Communist
Communist Party of Australia
The Communist Party of Australia was founded in 1920 and dissolved in 1991; it was succeeded by the Socialist Party of Australia, which then renamed itself, becoming the current Communist Party of Australia. The CPA achieved its greatest political strength in the 1940s and faced an attempted...
majority of councillors).
West Maitland was founded in 1820 close to the tidal reach of the Hunter River where vessels with a shallow draft
Draft (hull)
The draft of a ship's hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull , with the thickness of the hull included; in the case of not being included the draft outline would be obtained...
could navigate. Nearby Morpeth
Morpeth, New South Wales
Morpeth is a suburb of the City of Maitland Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern banks of the Hunter River at the border between the City of Maitland and Port Stephens Council LGAs...
served as the head of navigation for larger ships (later, steamships), and goods would be transhipped upriver to West Maitland on barges and smaller vessels. Originally the route river route between Morpeth and West Maitland was 26 kilometres (16.2 mi), today after various floods and river course changes this has reduced to just 9 kilometres (5.6 mi).
Maitland was therefore the point at which goods were unloaded for, and distributed to, the prosperous riverland of the Hunter Valley. Accordingly there were large warehouses (some of which still exist) built, which faced onto the main High Street and backed onto the Hunter River. For almost 20 years until the Victorian gold rush
Victorian gold rush
The Victorian gold rush was a period in the history of Victoria, Australia approximately between 1851 and the late 1860s. In 10 years the Australian population nearly tripled.- Overview :During this era Victoria dominated the world's gold output...
, Maitland was the second largest town in Australia. The arrival of the railway from Newcastle in the 1850s, coupled with the increasing silting of the river and larger ships spelt the end of the traditional river traffic.
The first electricity connected in the area was to Maitland Town Hall in 1922, to the Hall's front light.
Belmore Bridge
The first bridge to link West Maitland with what is now the suburb of LornLorn, New South Wales
Lorn is a suburb of Maitland in New South Wales, Australia. It is located across the Hunter River from Maitland by the Belmore Bridge.-History:...
was opened in 1869 and named in honour of the then Governor of New South Wales
Somerset Lowry-Corry, 4th Earl Belmore
Somerset Richard Lowry-Corry, 4th Earl Belmore GCMG, PC , styled as Viscount Corry from 1841 to 1845, was an Irish nobleman and Conservative politician.-Background and education:...
, the 4th Earl of Belmore. Although the bridge proved vital to the city's development, the floods of 1893, 1913 and 1930 began to heighten the need for a new bridge that could withstand periodic flooding. A second Belmore Bridge, designed to withstand the impact of debris during floods, was built adjacent to the 1869 bridge in 1964. The new bridge, which redirected traffic away from St. Andrews Street to a new intersection at the Maitland Court Couse, is one of the city's three main river crossings.
Floods
| Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 1806 | Prior to settlement, but biggest on record. Reports of floodwaters being as high as 24.4 m (80 ft). |
| 1820 | Settlers report finding driftwood in trees 18.9 m (62 ft) above the normal river level. |
| 1832 | Seven killed, floodwaters peak at 8.9 m (29 ft). |
| 1834 | Floodwaters peak at 8.9 m (29 ft). |
| 1857 | Floodwaters peak at 9.2 m (30 ft). |
| 1893 | Extensive flooding destroys homes in Louth Park and Victoria Street. Nine killed. |
| 1913 | Floodwaters inundate central Maitland. Homes are lost on Mount Pleasant Street and in Horseshoe Bend. |
| 1930 | Floodwaters inundate Maitland. |
| 1931 | Floodwaters inundate Maitland. |
| 1949 | Floodwaters invade lower High Street, Maitland. |
| 1951 | Flooding in Maitland. |
| 1952 | Flooding in Maitland. |
| 1955 | Twenty five killed, 2,180 homes invaded by water. |
| 1971 | Biggest flood on record since 1955. |
| 1998 | Minor flooding in the Maitland district. |
| 2007 | Floodwaters invade suburbs of Maitland; central Maitland escapes flooding. |
Maitland's proximity to the Hunter River
Hunter River
The Hunter River is a major river in New South Wales, Australia. The Hunter River rises in the Liverpool Range and flows generally south and then east, reaching the Pacific Ocean at Newcastle, the second largest city in New South Wales and a major port....
has resulted in a succession of floods since European settlement. Over 200 floods have occurred on the Hunter River since settlement, 13 of those higher than the river's normal peak limit of 10.7 metres (35.1 ft). Of these 13, all have had a direct effect on the city of Maitland.
Between 1830 and 1834 Maitland experienced five floods. The 1832 flood was severe with water reaching about 8.84 m (29 ft) and killing seven people. The 1834 flood water reached the same height. In the winter of 1857 the Hunter River rose again to record heights, reaching 9.2 m (30 ft). Flooding continued for the next 30 years with the floods of the 1890s being the most disastrous. Much of the riverbank collapsed and many people were left without homes or personal possessions.
However, the 1940s and 1950s saw an increase in rainfall and the river rose again and again. In February 1955, Maitland and the Hunter Valley experienced its most severe flood in recorded history. The 1955 Hunter Valley floods, also commonly known as "The Maitland Flood", was the first Australian natural disaster to be broadcast by the media on an international scale. This flood is considered to be one of Australia’s worst floods. The waters reached 12.5 m (41 ft) and caused catastrophic damage. The volume of flood water was approximately 3750000 millilitres (824.9 imp gal) and the cost of damage, in today’s currency, would have been over A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
2 billion. Seven thousand buildings and homes were damaged and the flood claimed the lives of 14 people.
In early June 2007 an intense low pressure system
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
which caused devastating storms to hit the city of Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
and the Central Coast
Central Coast, New South Wales
The Central Coast is an urban region in the Australian state of New South Wales, located on the coast north of Sydney and south of Lake Macquarie....
also caused major flooding throughout the lower Hunter Region including the Maitland area. During the flooding on 11 June 2007 the Hunter River was expected to reach a peak of 11.3 m (37.1 ft) at Maitland's Belmore Bridge and break levee banks. Some 4000 residents of the suburb of Lorn
Lorn, New South Wales
Lorn is a suburb of Maitland in New South Wales, Australia. It is located across the Hunter River from Maitland by the Belmore Bridge.-History:...
were evacuated before the floodwaters became stable at 10.7 m (35.1 ft) and did not invade central Matiland. Other areas did not escape with waters inundating homes in Branxton
Branxton, New South Wales
Branxton is a town in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. Branxton is north of Sydney via the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway and New England Highway.Branxton is located mostly in Cessnock City Council, but part of it is in Singleton Shire...
, Louth Park and Raymond Terrace
Raymond Terrace, New South Wales
Raymond Terrace is a town in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about by road north of Newcastle on the Pacific Highway. Established in 1837 it is situated at the confluence of the Hunter and Williams rivers and has about 12,600 residents. It is the administrative centre of the Port...
. The flood has been compared to the devastating 1955 Hunter Valley floods.
Jewish Community
The Maitland Jewish Cemetery in Louth Park, one of only three provincial cemeteries in New South Wales, is testament to the Jewish community that was active in Maitland up until the 1930s. Between about 1846 and 1934, 44 Jews were buried in the low-lying cemetery. Periodic flooding prevented burials after this time, with the exception of Lea Abadee in 2010. The city's former synagogueSynagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
, located on Church Street, was the place of worship for about 70 families between 1879 and 1898.
Retail
Maitland has many shopping precincts including Stockland Green HillsStockland Green Hills
Stockland Green Hills is a major shopping Centre located in East Maitland, an eastern suburb of Maitland, New South Wales Australia.It is located on Molly Morgan Drive, East Maitland near the New England Highway, on a parcel of land, and primarily serves the Maitland, Lower Hunter and the Upper...
(East Maitland), (Centro Maitland Hunter Mall) High Street Mall (City Centre), Rutherford, Melbourne Street (East Maitland) and Lawes Street (East Maitland). Morpeth
Morpeth, New South Wales
Morpeth is a suburb of the City of Maitland Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern banks of the Hunter River at the border between the City of Maitland and Port Stephens Council LGAs...
, a suburb of Maitland, is also popular for its fashion boutiques, cafes and speciality shops.
Tourism
Tourism is also a significant local industry. Local attractions include the historic Maitland GaolMaitland Gaol
Maitland Gaol is an Australian gaol and prison located in East Maitland, New South Wales. Its construction was started in 1844 and prisoners first entered the gaol in 1848. By the time of its closure, on 31 January 1998, it had become the longest continually run gaol in Australia...
, the industrial history of the Walka Water Works
Walka Water Works
Walka Water Works is a 19th century pumping station located near Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Originally built in 1887 to supply water to Newcastle and the lower Hunter Valley, it has since been restored and preserved and is part of Maitland City Council's Walka Recreation and Wildlife...
, the historic river port town of Morpeth
Morpeth, New South Wales
Morpeth is a suburb of the City of Maitland Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern banks of the Hunter River at the border between the City of Maitland and Port Stephens Council LGAs...
and the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Transport
Maitland StationMaitland railway station, New South Wales
Maitland railway station is a station on the Hunter Line. It serves the town of Maitland, New South Wales. Maitland station is the branch point for the Main North railway line and the North Coast Line, with the Main North Line continuing to Scone, and beyond and the North Coast Line continuing to...
lies on the Hunter line
Hunter railway line, New South Wales
The Hunter railway line is a regional railway line which is part of Sydney's CityRail network. The line runs from the central business district of Newcastle, on the coast, northwest to Scone and Dungog in the Hunter Valley area....
and is the branch point for the Main North Line
Main North railway line, New South Wales
The Main North Line is a major railway in New South Wales, Australia. It runs through the Central Coast, Hunter and the New England regions. The line was the original main line between Sydney and Brisbane, however this required a change of gauge at Wallangarra...
and the North Coast Line
North Coast railway line, New South Wales
The North Coast Line is the primary rail route in the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions of New South Wales, and forms a major part of the Sydney-Brisbane rail corridor....
.
Other railway stations in Maitland include:
- East MaitlandEast Maitland railway station, New South Wales-Neighbouring stations:-References:...
- High StreetHigh Street railway station, New South WalesHigh Street is a railway station in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. It is part of CityRail's outer suburban network, on the Hunter Line.-Platforms and services:...
- MetfordMetford railway station, New South Wales-Transport links:Hunter Valley Buses runs one route via Metford railway station:*Route 181 - between Woodbury and Rutherford-Neighbouring stations:- References :...
- MindaribbaMindaribba railway station, New South Wales-Neighbouring stations:-External links:*...
- TelarahTelarah railway station, New South WalesTelarah is a railway station on the North Coast Line branch of CityRail's Hunter Line in New South Wales, Australia. It has been given the nickname of 'the Rah' by its locals, the name originated from indigenous language, or from the Welsh word for pit pony...
- Victoria StreetVictoria Street railway station, New South Wales-Transport links:Hunter Valley Buses runs four routes via Victoria Street railway station:*Route 181 - between Woodbury and Rutherford*Route 183 - between Regiment Road and Tenambit*Route 184 - between Maitland and Chambers Street...
- ThorntonThornton railway station, New South Wales-Transport links:Hunter Valley Buses runs one route to and from Thornton railway station:*Route 186 - to Greenhill Shops-Neighbouring stations:-References:...
A passenger tram system
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
ran from East to West Maitland between 1909 and 1926 after which it was replaced by buses which continue to service the route today.
Media
Maitland is serviced by a number of regional newspapers, radio stations and television stations. The Maitland MercuryMaitland Mercury
The Maitland Mercury is Australia's oldest regional newspaper. It was originally a weekly newspaper, with the first issue published on 7 January 1843. The Mercury is still in circulation serving the city of Maitland and the surrounding Lower Hunter Valley.Even when it was first published the...
and The Newcastle Herald
The Newcastle Herald
The Newcastle Herald is a local tabloid newspaper published daily, Monday to Saturday, in Newcastle, New South Wales, the largest non-capital city in Australia. It is the only local newspaper that serves the entire Hunter and Central Coast regions six days a week...
are the foremost newspapers in the city. The Mercury, established in 1843, operates out of offices on High Street and is Australia's oldest regional newspaper. The Lower Hunter Star is an adjunct to the Mercury and is published every Thursday. With a circulation of almost 20,000, The Lower Hunter Star is delivered to most residents within the City of Maitland
City of Maitland
The City of Maitland is a Local Government Area in the Lower Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the New England Highway and CityRail's Hunter line.-Demographics:...
.
Hunter Valley Steamfest
Hunter Valley SteamfestHunter Valley Steamfest
The Hunter Valley Steamfest is one of the major events in the New South Wales steam locomotive season and also one of the major events held in Maitland, in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia...
is an annual festival celebrating the history of steam power. It was established in 1985 in response to the temporary closure of the extensive South Maitland Railway
South Maitland Railway, New South Wales
The South Maitland Railway was once an extensive network of privately owned colliery and passenger railway lines which served the South Maitland coalfields in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia and were the second last system in Australia to use steam haulage, having used steam...
network to Cessnock
Cessnock, New South Wales
Cessnock is a city in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about by road west of Newcastle. It is the administrative centre of the Cessnock City Council LGA and was named after an 1826 grant of land called Cessnock Estate, which was owned by John Campbell...
.
Bitter & Twisted Beer Festival
Bitter & Twisted is an annual international boutique beer festival held at historic Maitland GaolMaitland Gaol
Maitland Gaol is an Australian gaol and prison located in East Maitland, New South Wales. Its construction was started in 1844 and prisoners first entered the gaol in 1848. By the time of its closure, on 31 January 1998, it had become the longest continually run gaol in Australia...
. It is a celebration of beer, food and music.
Morpeth Jazz Festival
The Morpeth Jazz Festival is an annual music festival held at the popular historic riverside port of Morpeth. It is a celebration of music, wine and food.Groovin' the Moo
Groovin' the Moo is an annual music festival held at the Maitland Showground.Education
Maitland has many training facilities including short course vocational training schools to international standard Phd studies. The Hunter Institute of Technology has a campus in Maitland, as does the privately owned Hunter Valley Training Company (Australia's largest group trainer). These facilities provide excellent training in all fields, especially building and construction, engineering, mining, tourism and business administration.A new technical college is being developed within the city.
Maitland has twenty primary schools and seven high schools. The high schools are:
- All Saints College, St Joseph's CampusAll Saints College, St Joseph's CampusAll Saints College. St. Joseph's Campus is a coeducational secondary day school catering for years 7 to 10, based in New South Wales, Australia. The school was created in 1990 by the amalgamation of Catholic secondary schools in the area, St. Joseph's, St. Peter's and St. Mary's in Maitland.St....
- All Saints College, St Mary's Campus
- All Saints College, St Peter's Campus
- Hunter Valley Grammar SchoolHunter Valley Grammar SchoolHunter Valley Grammar School is an independent, co-educational, non-denominational, day school, located in Ashtonfield, a suburb in the city of Maitland, in the lower Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia....
- Maitland Christian School
- Maitland Grossmann High SchoolMaitland Grossmann High SchoolMaitland Grossmann High School is situated in East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia on Cumberland St, adjacent to the old Maitland Gaol. The school was originally Maitland Girls High School, but collaborated with Maitland Boys High, and now both schools are co-educational...
- Maitland High SchoolMaitland High SchoolMaitland High School is situated in East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia on High Street. Established in 1884 and operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, the school currently caters for approximately 800 students from Years 7 to 12, and is situated near its sister...
- Rutherford Technology High SchoolRutherford Technology High SchoolRutherford Technology High School is a secondary school located in Rutherford, a suburb of the city of Maitland, New South Wales in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The current principal is Mr Michael Whiting , and the deputy principals are Simone Hughes and Greg Archbald. The...
- Francis Greenway High School
- St Johns The Baptist Primary School
There are also numerous pre-school and day care
Day care
Child care or day care is care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family...
facilities.
Notable people
- John Andronicus (1894–1973) Australian coffee merchant and businessman
- John BellJohn Bell (actor)John Anthony Bell, AO, OBE is an Australian actor and theatre director.Bell was born 1 November 1940 in the town of Maitland, New South Wales where he was educated at the Marist Brothers....
(1940 -) actor - David BertholdDavid BertholdDavid Berthold is a leading Australian theatre director. He has directed for most of Australia's major theatre companies, as well as internationally. Since November 2008, he has been Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of La Boite Theatre Company...
theatre director - Greg BirdGreg BirdGregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(1984-) professional rugby league player - Alexander Brown (1851–1926) merchant and politician
- Sydney James Christopher Lyon Butlin (1910–1977) economist and historian
- George Lyndon Carpenter (1872–1948) Salvation ArmySalvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
general - Garnet Hannell Carroll (1902–1964) theatrical entrepreneur
- Caroline ChisholmCaroline ChisholmCaroline Chisholm was a progressive 19th-century English humanitarian known mostly for her involvement with female immigrant welfare in Australia. She is commemorated on 16 May in the Calendar of saints of the Church of England...
(1808–1877) philanthropist, sheltered homeless immigrants in a cottage at Maitland - Percy Brereton ColquhounPercy ColquhounPercy Brereton Colquhoun was an Australian parliamentarian, lawyer and sportsman. -Early life:Colquhoun was born at Maitland, New South Wales, the third son of the New South Wales Crown Solicitor, George Colquhoun. He was privately tutored at home and then attended St Paul's School, Redfern...
(1866–1936) sportsman, lawyer and politician - Abbie CornishAbbie CornishAbbie Cornish is an Australian actress. She is well known in Australia for a number of film and television roles, particularly her award-winning lead performance in 2004's Somersault, and internationally for her role as Fanny Brawne in Bright Star and her appearance as Sweet Pea in Sucker Punch.-...
(1982 -) actress - Ruth CracknellRuth CracknellRuth Cracknell AM was an Australian theatre and television character actress who appeared in many comedy roles. She was known variously as "Crackers", "Dame Crackers" and "Dame Ruth" throughout a career spanning 56 years....
(1925–2002) actress - Les DarcyLes DarcyJames Leslie Darcy was an Australian boxer. He was a middleweight, but held the Australian Heavyweight Championship title at the same time....
(1895–1917) boxer and folk hero - Edward DavisEdward Davis (bushranger)Edward Davis was an Australia convict turned bushranger. His real name is not certain, but in April 1832 he was convicted under the name George Wilkinson for attempting to stead a wooden till and copper coins to the total value of 7 shillings. Sentenced to seven years transportation, he arrived in...
(1816–1841) "Teddy the Jewboy", Australian convict turned bushranger - Justin DooleyJustin DooleyJustin Dooley born 23 October 1970 in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia is a former rugby league player.Justin Dooley's position of choice was as a and he could also operate in the ....
(1970 -) rugby league player - Luke DornLuke DornLuke Dorn is an Australian rugby league footballer who currently plays for the London Broncos club of the English Super League...
(1982 -) professional rugby league player - Joseph Wilfrid Dwyer (1869–1939) Roman Catholic bishop
- Walter Edmunds (1856–1932) judge
- Adolphus Peter Elkin (1891–1979) Anglican clergyman and professor of anthropology
- Nick EnrightNick Enright-Life:He was drama captain of St Ignatius' College, Riverview in 1964, where, like Gerard Windsor and Justin Fleming, he was taught by Melvyn Morrow. At that school, he won the 1sts Debating Premiership in both 1966 and 1967....
(1950–2003) playwright - Walter John Enright (1874–1949) solicitor and scientist
- H. V. EvattH. V. EvattHerbert Vere Evatt, QC KStJ , was an Australian jurist, politician and writer. He was President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1948–49 and helped draft the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights...
(1894–1965) First President of the United Nations General Assembly, Justice of the High Court of Australia, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales - Clive EvattClive EvattClive Evatt QC was an Australian politician, barrister and raconteur. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1939 until 1959. At various times he sat as a member of the Industrial Labor Party, ALP and as an independent.-Early life:Evatt was born in Maitland and was the...
(1900–1984) Australian politician, barrister and raconteur - Robert Ewing (1871–1957) taxation commissioner
- Allen FairhallAllen FairhallSir Allen Fairhall KBE was an Australian politician and Member of the Parliament of Australia for the Division of Paterson from 1949 to 1969. During that period he held a number of ministerial portfolios, most notably Supply and Defence.Fairhall was born at Morpeth and attended East Maitland...
(1909–2006) politician and Member of the Parliament of Australia for the Division of Paterson - Brett FinchBrett FinchBrett Finch is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the Super League...
(1981 -) rugby league player - Lionel Bale Fletcher (1877–1954) Congregational minister and evangelist
- Michael Scott FletcherMichael Scott FletcherReverend Dr Michael Scott Fletcher was an Australian Methodist minister, foundation master of King's College, University of Queensland, foundation Master of Wesley College, University of Sydney and held the Chair of Philosophy at the University of Queensland...
(1868–1947) Methodist minister, foundation master of Wesley College, University of SydneyWesley College, University of SydneyWesley College is a Protestant co-residential college of over 230 students within the University of Sydney. The College occupies a site on the main campus of the University of Sydney and was built on a sub-grant of Crown Land.- Academic profile :... - William Calman Grahame (1863–1945) politician
- Ben Hall (1837–1865) bushranger
- Eleanor Mary Hinder (1893–1963) welfare officer and international public servant
- Harry HolgateHarry HolgateHarold Norman "Harry" Holgate AO was an Australian Labor Party politician and Premier of Tasmania from 11 November 1981 to 26 May 1982....
(1933–1997) politician and former Premier of Tasmania - Richard St John Honner (1897–1962) surgeon and athlete
- Matt JobsonMatt JobsonMatt Jobson is an Australian rugby league player. His position of choice is at prop-forward.-Early years:...
(1980 -) rugby league player - Ellis Lawrie (1907–1978) politician
- Frank LiddellFrank LiddellFrank Liddell was an Australian politician. Born in Maitland, New South Wales, he was educated at Sydney Grammar School and subsequently attended the University of Edinburgh. He returned as a doctor to Maitland, and was elected to West Maitland Council...
(1862–1939) politician - Edmund LonsdaleEdmund LonsdaleEdmund Lonsdale was an Australian politician. Born in Morpeth, New South Wales, he was schooled in Maitland before becoming a bricklayer, builder and contractor. He was also an alderman on Armidale Shire Council...
(1843–1913) politician - Charles MacartneyCharles MacartneyCharles George "Charlie" Macartney was an Australian cricketer who played in 35 Tests between 1907 and 1926...
(1886–1958) cricketer - Percy Joseph Marks (1867–1941) solicitor and historian
- Jack MarxJack MarxJackson Gregory Marx , known as Jack Marx, is an Australian journalist and author. He was born in Maitland, New South Wales and is the second youngest of four children.- Career :...
(1965 -) journalist and author - Charles Frederick Maynard (1879–1946) Aboriginal activist
- Charles Stuart Mein (1841–1890) barrister, politician and judge
- Jim MorganJim MorganJim Morgan was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 70s. He played at prop forward in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and later the Eastern Suburbs Roosters, and also represented Australia.Hailing from Maitland, Morgan first...
( -2005) rugby league player - Milton MorrisMilton MorrisMilton Arthur Morris AO is an Australian politician who represented the Electoral district of Maitland between 3 March 1956 and 29 August 1980 for the Liberal Party of Australia.-Early life:...
(1924 -) politician - Sir Arthur William Morrow (1903–1977) physician
- Ziggy NiszczotZiggy NiszczotZiggy Niszczot is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership. He was a powerful, hard running centre or wing three-quarter.-Playing career:...
(1955 -) rugby league player - Walter O'HearnWalter O'HearnWalter Finlay O’Hearn was an Australian politician, elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly....
(1890–1950) politician - Kathleen Clare O'Keeffe (1883–1949) public servant and campaigner for equal pay for women
- Noel PiddingNoel PiddingNoel Pidding is an Australian former rugby league player. He was a state and national representative, whose goal-kicking prowess enabled him to set a number of long-standing club and Australian point scoring records. His club career was with the St. George Dragons and he was a member of their 1949...
(1927 -) rugby league player - Charles Edward Pilcher (1844–1916) barrister and politician
- Mark Rowe (1943–2011) neuroscientist
- Baker RussellBaker RussellGeneral Sir Baker Creed Russell GCB KCMG was an Australian-born British Army officer who served with distinction in the Indian Mutiny, Anglo-Ashanti War, Anglo-Zulu War and Egyptian War.-Early life:...
(1837–1911) Australian-born British Army officer - Henry Chamberlain RussellHenry Chamberlain RussellHenry Chamberlain Russell, CMG, FRS, was an Australian astronomer and meteorologist.-Early life:Russell was born at West Maitland, New South Wales, the fourth son of the Hon. Bourn Russell and his wife Jane, née Mackreth...
(1836–1907) astronomer and meteorologist - Arthur Ernest Stonham (1900–1966) magistrate
- John Duncan Tipper (1886–1970) conservationist and electrical engineer
- David TrewhellaDavid TrewhellaDavid Trewhella is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. After playing junior football in Newcastle, he started his senior football career in Queensland, playing for Redcliffe. He was named their player of the year in 1984. In 1986 Trewhella moved to Sydney where he...
(1963 -) rugby league player - Edward George Young (Dan) Tyrrell (1871–1959) vigneron
- William Samuel VinerWilliam Samuel VinerWilliam Samuel Viner was an Australian chess master.He was the West Australian champion in 1900, 1901, 1903 and 1905, and won the Perth Chess Club's handicap tournament three times...
(1881–1933) Australian chess master - Walter Lawry WaterhouseWalter Lawry WaterhouseWalter Lawry Waterhouse MC was an Australian agricultural scientist, a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and Clarke Medallist.-Early life:...
(1887–1969) agricultural scientist - Alasdair WebsterAlasdair WebsterAlasdair Paine Webster, OAM is an Australian politician. Born in Maitland, New South Wales, he attended the University of New England before becoming a teacher and a superindendent at juvenile rehabilitation centres. He underwent military service in 1953...
(1934 -) politician - Ella Wilson (1870–1959) Sister of Charity
- Leonora WrayLeonora WrayLeonora Wray was an Australian golfer, often referred to as the "mother" of Australian golf. Wray was a national title holder in 1929 and helped establish the Tasman Cup competition with New Zealand.-References:...
(1886–1979) golfer - Peter WynnPeter WynnPeter Wynn is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the Parramatta Eels in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership competition. He is the younger brother of fellow rugby league player Graeme Wynn. His position of choice was in the second row...
(1957 -) rugby league player
Scenes of Maitland
See also
- Maitland GaolMaitland GaolMaitland Gaol is an Australian gaol and prison located in East Maitland, New South Wales. Its construction was started in 1844 and prisoners first entered the gaol in 1848. By the time of its closure, on 31 January 1998, it had become the longest continually run gaol in Australia...
- South Maitland coalfieldsSouth Maitland coalfieldsThe South Maitland coalfields was the most extensive coalfield in New South Wales until the great coal mining slump of the 1960s. It was discovered by Lieutenant-Colonel Paterson's party when they were engaged in an exploratory visit to the Hunter River Valley during July 1801.Mention has been made...
- Walka Water WorksWalka Water WorksWalka Water Works is a 19th century pumping station located near Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Originally built in 1887 to supply water to Newcastle and the lower Hunter Valley, it has since been restored and preserved and is part of Maitland City Council's Walka Recreation and Wildlife...