Yatte_Yattah

Yatte Yattah

Yatte Yattah

Suburb of City of Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia

Yatte Yattah (pronounced 'Yadda Yadda') is a historically significant suburb on the South Coast of New South Wales. It is located on the Princes Highway about 4 km north of Milton and 2 km south of Conjola Lake. At the 2021 Census, the population was 189.[2]

Quick Facts Yatte Yattah New South Wales, Coordinates ...

Settled in 1827, Yatte Yattah was a pioneer town in the decades preceding the establishment of nearby Milton and Ulladulla. Selected at the time for its highly fertile soils and lucrative red cedar,[3] the first settlers in Yatte Yattah used convicts to procure timber, build roads and dig extensive drains along Narrawallee Creek.[4] In 1827 a local aboriginal man helped Thomas Kendall cut a track from his land grant in Yatte Yattah to a natural bay in the south. Kendall turned the bay into a boat harbour so he could ship cedar and produce from Yatte Yattah to Sydney and Illawarra. Eventually this makeshift port would become known as Ulladulla Harbour. During this boom period Yatte Yattah had a functioning school, church and post office.[5]

Today, Yatte Yattah is characterised by picturesque farming estates and private rural retreats. There are views of Pigeon House Mountain and the Budawang Ranges. There are many surfing beaches near Yatte Yattah[6] and with increasing popularity the highway is known to become congested during peak holiday season.[7]

History

Yatte Yattah was the first area settled by Europeans in the Milton-Ulladulla district.[3] The first land grant of 1,280 acres (5.2 km2) in the region was issued in 1827 to Reverend Thomas Kendall (1778-1832).[3] The land he settled upon would later be named Yatte Yattah, words derived from local aboriginal language thought by some to mean 'waterfall'.[8] On this land he built his residence ‘Kendall Dale’. There he ran cattle and felled timber including Australian red cedar, utilising ticket-of-leave men for labour. Kendall travelled often from Ulladulla to Sydney but was drowned when his cargo ship, the Brisbane, was wrecked off Jervis Bay.[9]

Yatte Yattah was designated as the site for a new and prosperous township on the South Coast. A schoolhouse, post office and church were erected near current day Tierney Road above Currowar Creek.[5][10][11]

Decades later when the private township of Milton was incorporated by timbergetters 4 km to the south, plans to develop Yatte Yattah into a fully fledged town were abandoned.[12][13]

Agriculture

The stretch of land between Yatte Yattah and Milton has been described as having some of the finest pastoral land in the state.[14]

Yatte Yattah was recognised by early colonial settlers for its highly productive farmland, particularly in Boolgatta Flat where James Warden used ticket-of-leave convict labour to build an extensive network of drains along the freshwater portion of Narrawallee Creek, to make better use of the alluvial soils.[15][16][17]

Crops of oat and corn were grown in the 19th and early 20th century. Beef and dairy cattle grazing now make up the majority of farms in Yatte Yattah. The number of dairy farms in the area has been declining over the past few decades, with beef taking its place.[16][18]

Corn planter at work on Boolgatta Flat, 1908

Biodiversity

Although large swathes of rainforest were cleared by early settlers, Yatte Yattah remains rich in biodiversity and is surrounded by numerous nature reserves. Morton National Park and Little Forest Plateau are nearby to the west, Conjola National Park and Yatteyattah Nature Reserve are in the north and Narrawallee Nature Reserve is to the east. Yatte Yattah has a diverse range of habitats including remnant Milton Rainforest, several freshwater creeks and tidal mangrove flats to the east. Yatte Yattah is part of the Budawang Atlas of Life Project which seeks to document biodiversity in the region.[19]

A waterfall in Yatteyattah Nature Reserve

Geography

Yatte Yattah is located in a fertile stretch of hills and valleys between the Pacific Ocean to the East and the steep escarpment of Little Forest Plateau to the west. Lake Conjola is to the North and Milton, Mollymook and Ulladlla are to the South. The Princes Highway runs north to south through Yatte Yattah. The Milton Ulladulla Bypass has been planned for completion in Late 2029.[20]

Creeks

Yatte Yattah sits within two water catchments with the vast majority flowing into Narrawallee Inlet. The area north of Lake Conjola Entrance Road flows into Lake Conjola.[21]

There are four named creeks running through Yatte Yattah.

  • Currowar Creek[22]
  • Yackungarrah Creek[22]
  • Narrawallee Creek[22]
  • Myrtle Gully[23]

Geology

Yatte Yattah is primarily composed of Milton Monzonite and Permian sediments formed in the Early Triassic period.[24][25] The flat stretch of land along Boolgatta Flat featuring deep alluvial soils was formed from ancient glacial infilling during the last ice age.[15][16]

Notable people

Reverend Thomas Kendall (1778-1832).

From his large estate in Yatte Yattah, Thomas Kendall played a pivotal role in the early development of the Milton-Ulladulla area.[3] He died at sea when his merchant ship carrying red cedar sank off Jervis Bay.[20][9][3][4]

Henry Kendall

Acclaimed Australian poet Henry Kendall and grandson of Thomas Kendall[4] was born in a shack on the banks of Yackungarrah Creek.[12][8] He wrote poems inspired by the scenery of Yatte Yattah.[8]

James Warden

Labelled as a 'South Coast Pioneer',[26] James Warden was a shipwright, Australian politician in the NSW Legislative Assembly and purchaser of Boolgatta Estate, Yatte Yattah.[17][16][26] Warden Head, the location of Ulladulla Lighthouse is named after Warden and his rival brother.[27]

Max Atkins

Max Atkins was Shoalhaven mayor from 1987 to 1999[28] and an award-winning breeder of stud French Limousin beef cattle at former Willowbank Estate, Yatte Yattah.[29][30] Atkins' historic house was destroyed in the Currowan fire.[31]

Historic buildings

Yatte Yattah has several heritage listed homes dating from early settlement in the 1830s.

Kendall Dale

One of the oldest residences on the South Coast. A heritage listed Victorian Georgian house constructed from rendered rubble. It was built by convicts in 1848 after the original homestead burned down.[32] It is located on the Princes Highway.

Boolgatta House

Boolgatta is one of the finest homesteads in the Shoalhaven. The Victorian Georgian Mansion was constructed by James Poole for pioneer James Warden. Warden designed the house to rival the prestige of Airlie House owned by his brother and bitter rival, David Warden. It is located on the Princes Highway.[32]

Boolgatta Homestead

Kirmington

Kirmington is a Victorian Georgian residence listed on the Register of the National Estate for its historical significance. It is located on the Kendall Dale estate on the Princes Highway.[32]

Whoppindally House

Whoppindally is a heritage listed farmhouse constructed in 1867 for Thomas Robert and Margaret Kendall. It is located on the Princes Highway.[32]

Yatte Yattah Cheese Factory

The Yatte Yattah Cheese Factory was built by the Yatteyattah Co-operative Dairy Company in 1907 with the objective to produce butter. The location for the building was chosen for its proximity to the 'rich loamy soils' of Boolgatta Flat which produced high quality dairy.[33] As of 2023 the building has been repurposed but remains highly visible at E380 Princes Highway.[34]

Former Yatte Yattah Public School and schoolmaster's residence

In the 19th century and before the establishment of Milton just to the north, Yatte Yattah had been the designated site for a new town. A school and post office were built.[5] Both heritage listed buildings were destroyed in the Currowan fire.[11] The location was at 8A Tierney Road.[34] Images of the formerly heritage listed buildings are scarce.[13]

Cemeteries

  • "Hillview" private cemetery located at 8B Tierney Road, Princes Highway (Lot 6, DP 32380)[34]
  • Roman Catholic Church and cemetery located at Princes Highway (Lot 138, DP 755923)[34]
  • The Sheaffe Family Cemetery located at Pointer Road (Lot 17, DP 847482)[34]

Public transport

There is a bus stop at the Lake Conjola turn off in Yatte Yattah. Premier Motor Service operate two daily services in each direction between Sydney and Eden as well as two services from Bomaderry railway station that connect with NSW TrainLink services.[33]

Black Summer

Parts of Yatte Yattah were impacted by the large Currowan fire during the 2019-20 Black Summer fire season. A number of businesses, properties and homes were destroyed on New Year's Eve including the Eagleview Farm Piggery and the Yatte Yattah Nursery.[35] Two bodies were located inside burned out vehicles near the Princes Highway the following day.[36][37] The Currowan fire predominantly impacted the elevated topography of Yatte Yattah with the low-lying alluvial flats mostly unaffected. The cleared grazing land at Boolgatta Flat acted as a protective buffer.[38]

Scar map of the 2019/2020 Currowan Fire at Yatte Yattah (South)

Localities

  • Boolgatta Flat[39][40][26]
  • Big Hole - A historical landmark and freshwater swimming hole at the junction of Currowar and Yackungarrah Creeks. It was a culturally significant meeting place for the local indigenous people prior to european settlement.[22]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Yatte Yattah (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. [2]
  3. [3]
    Davidson, J. W., "Kendall, Thomas (1778–1832)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 25 January 2023
  4. [4]
    "Thomas Kendall 1778–1832 – Australian Royalty: Genealogy of the colony of New South Wales". australianroyalty.net.au. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
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    "School house map".
  6. [6]
    "100 Beach Challenge". Shoalhaven - South Coast NSW. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
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    Lemon, Harriet Alexander, James (27 December 2022). "Heavy traffic out of Sydney for great summer exodus". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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    "Yatta Yatta Dreaming, Yatteyattah". 9 February 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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    "ULLADULLA POLICE STATION | Australian Police". 5 September 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
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    "MUHS - Historic homesteads of Milton-Ulladulla".
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    "Yatte Yattah nursery owner unsure if he'll ever restart". Milton Ulladulla Times. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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    "Henry Kendall Birthplace Cairn 1913 | Ulladulla.Info". ulladulla.info. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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    "Members Meeting 12th February 2020 | Milton Ulladulla Family History Society Inc". Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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    "THE FARMER". Australian Town and Country Journal. 22 January 1908. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  15. [15]
    "Yatteyattah Nature Reserve Plan of Management 2002" (PDF).
  16. [16]
    "Farming in Ulladulla district | Ulladulla.Info". ulladulla.info. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  17. [17]
    "Mr James WARDEN (1820 - 1904)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  18. [18]
    "THE FARMER". Australian Town and Country Journal. 29 January 1908. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  19. [19]
    "Budawang Coast Atlas of Life". iNaturalist. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  20. [20]
    Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities. "Project Details". Infrastructure and Regional Development. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  21. [21]
    "Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve". NSW National Parks. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  22. [22]
    McAndrew, Alex (1995). The Narrawallee Story Retold. Epping, NSW: A. McAndrew, 1995. ISBN 9780646186481.
  23. [23]
    "Conjola National Park Plan of Management April 2009" (PDF).
  24. [24]
    Dunlop, D. J.; Schmidt, P. W.; Özdemir, Ö.; Clark, D. A. (10 December 1997). "Paleomagnetism and paleothermometry of the Sydney Basin 1. Thermoviscous and chemical overprinting of the Milton Monzonite". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 102 (B12): 27271–27283. Bibcode:1997JGR...10227271D. doi:10.1029/97JB02479.
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    "Australian Stratigraphic Units Database, Geoscience Australia". asud.ga.gov.au. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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    "A South Coast Pioneer". Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser. 9 November 1904. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  27. [27]
    "Place Names | Ulladulla.Info". ulladulla.info. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  28. [28]
    Condie, Katrina (30 September 2012). "Atkins family to sell Limousin herd". South Coast Register. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  29. [29]
    "Get to know your local faces". Milton Ulladulla Times. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  30. [30]
    "Max and Val Atkins toast 60 years of marriage". Milton Ulladulla Times. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  31. [31]
    "Roses achieve blooming success after burning 'right to the ground' in bushfires". ABC News. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  32. [32]
    "Historic homesteads » Milton Ulladulla Historical Society". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  33. [33]
    "Timetables Archive - Premier Transport". www.premierms.com.au. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  34. [34]
    "Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014".
  35. [35]
    "Yatte Yattah nursery owner unsure if he'll ever restart". Milton Ulladulla Times. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  36. [36]
    Lucy Bladen (1 January 2020). "South Coast fires: Seven found amid reports of hundreds of homes lost". Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  37. [37]
    Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop; John Stewart (9 June 2020). "The water stopped. But the fire kept coming". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  38. [38]
    "Currowan Fire Scar Mapping 2019-2020". www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  39. [39]
    "Midnight Smash". Nowra Leader. 7 June 1929. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  40. [40]
    "A Survey and Some Opinions". Sydney Mail. 23 March 1938. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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