Balaklava, South Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Balaklava
state = sa


caption =
lga = Wakefield Regional Council
postcode = 5461
pop = 1,626 "(2006 Census)" Census 2006 AUS
id=UCL401600
name=Balaklava (Urban Centre/Locality)
accessdate=2008-06-01
quick=on]
est = 1869
region = Mid North
mayor = James Maitland
elevation=
maxtemp =
mintemp =
rainfall =
stategov = Goyder
fedgov = Wakefield
dist1 = 92
dir1 = north
location1= Adelaide
dist2 = 35
dir2 = west
location2= Auburn

The town of Balaklava (coord|34|08|S|138|25|E|type:city(1365)_region:AU-SA, population 1626, postcode 5461) is located in South Australia, 92 kilometres north of Adelaide in the Mid North region. It is on the banks of the Wakefield River, 25 kilometres east of Port Wakefield.

History

The first European settlers in the area were James and Mary Dunn who opened a hotel in 1847. The town was laid out by Charles Fisher in 1869 and named it after the Battle of Balaklava. He built large grain stores on the tramway from Hoyleton to the port at Port Wakefield, intending to encourage farmers to settle near the town.

Balaklava used to be on the railway line from Adelaide to Gladstone, with a junction to Port Wakefield. The line north from Hamley Bridge (connecting to Adelaide) opened in 1878 as a narrow (1,067 mm) gauge line. It was converted to broad gauge (1600mm) in 1927 and still exists as far as Balaklava. ["Horse and Steam, Wheat and Copper" Callaghan, W.H. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, January;February, 2002 pp9-27;46-63]

The town today

The local newspaper is the "Plains Producer". [ [http://www.plainsproducer.com.au/ "The Plains Producer" website] ]

Balaklava hosts the annual Balaklava Cup horse racing carnival each August. This was attended in 2006 by famous Australian astronaut Dr. Andy Thomas and Jenny (Elle) Price. It also has an agricultural show in September each year. This major event showcases the regions many achievements, in agriculture, horse riding, baking, art and the local schools achievements as well as many fun things for the family to enjoy. Balaklava holds its own music Eisteddfod every year in early August. It has been running since 1997 and is a very major event for the township.

Balaklava has many sporting facilities and clubs, such as the local basketball competitions and tennis in summer, the football and netball in winter and the squash courts open all year. The basketball, netball and tennis courts are all centralised onto the one ground with the football oval 20 metres away. Balaklava also has its own pool, open in November through to April.

The township of Balaklava has four education institutions - the Balaklava Community Kindegarten, Balaklava Primary School, Balaklava High School, and the Balaklava Horizon Christian School.

Geography

Neighbouring towns include:
*Clare
*Halbury
*Owen
*Port Wakefield
*Snowtown

Government

Balaklava is the administrative centre for local government seat of Wakefield Regional Council. Balaklava lies in the state electoral district of Goyder and the federal electoral division of Wakefield.

References

* [http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/manning/pn/b/balaklav.htm Manning index of South Australian History]
* [http://www.walkabout.com.au/fairfax/locations/SABalaklava.shtml Walkabout]
* [http://australian.lifetips.com/TipSearch.asp?question=balaklava LifeTips]