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Waikerie, South Australia facts for kids

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Waikerie
South Australia
WaikerieMainStreet.JPG
Mc Coy street, the main street of Waikerie
Waikerie is located in South Australia
Waikerie
Waikerie
Location in South Australia
Population 2,684 (2016 census)
Postcode(s) 5330
Location
LGA(s) District Council of Loxton Waikerie
State electorate(s) Chaffey
Federal Division(s) Barker

Waikerie ( waik-UH-ri) is a rural town in the Riverland region of South Australia on the south bank of the Murray River. At the 2016 census, Waikerie had a population of 2,684. 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. Waikerie is known for citrus growing, along with stone fruit and grapes.

Waikerie Airport

Waikerie Airport is near Waikerie. It is home to the Waikerie Gliding Club. It has two runways 08/26 and 02/20.

Gallery

Sport

Waikerie is home to the Waikerie Football Club, who currently play in the (Australian Rules) Riverland Football League. Former Adelaide Crows captain Mark Ricciuto is from Waikerie and played junior football with the club.

Waikerie Football Club Oval, March 2012
View of the football club oval from Peake Terrace

Waikerie is also home to the 360 metres (390 yd) Sunline Speedway. The speedway has been home to Super Sedan drivers Wally Francombe (supercharged EH Holden), Robert Gwynne (Chevrolet Camaro), Noel Reichstein (Chevrolet Corvette) and twice (and inaugural) Australian Street Stock Champion, Neil Hoffman and his Chrysler Centura. Other classes that race at the Speedway include Modified Sedans, Formula 500s, 360 Sprintcars, AMCA Nationals and Late Models.

Notable people from Waikerie

Notable people born, went to school or lived in Waikerie include:

  • Sir Donald (Don) George Anderson, CBE (1917-1975) – Director-General of Civil Aviation and later chairman of Qantas Airways Ltd.
  • John Neil (Neil) Andrew, AO, FTSE (1944- ) – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Federal Parliament of Australia. Chair, Murray–Darling Basin Authority
  • Meredith Arnold, AO – Awarded AO in 2013 for her involvement with the local historical society, the Waikerie District Community Committee and her volunteer work at the Waikerie High School and hospital.
  • Warwick (Rick) Maxwell Darling (1957- ) – Cricketer, played for South Australia and Australia
  • Anne Fulwood (1959- ) – Reporter, journalist and writer
  • Ken I'Anson – Motor cycle racer – Australian Sidecar Champion, Australian Pairs Champion, SA Champion, multiple Australian Track Champion, Australian speedway champion
  • John Percival Jennings, AO, ISM, RDA (1923-2003) – Senior Horticultural Adviser and fruit grower. John P Jennings Park in Waikerie named after him.
  • John T. Jennings, BSc(Hons), PhD (1950-) – Entomologist, The University of Adelaide. President of the Royal Society of South Australia (2008-2010). Editor Natural history of the Riverland and Murraylands, Occasional publications of the Royal Society of South Australia; no. 9 (2009).
  • Kym Vincent Lehmann (1946-) – Australian Rules Football player, North Adelaide Football Club,
  • Bruce Malcolm Light (1949-2018) – Australian Rules Football player, Port Adelaide Football Club
  • Geoffrey (Geoff) Haydon Manning (1926-2018) – Unionist, author and historian
  • Mark Ricciuto (1975-) – Australian Rules Football player, West Adelaide and Adelaide Crows football clubs. Joint winner 2003 Brownlow Medal
  • Brian Webber BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD – Australian Rules Football player, West Adelaide Football Club. Headmaster of Prince Alfred College, Adelaide (1988–1999)
  • Chris Western (1974–) Off Road Racer BAJA 1000 Ironman in 2014

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