Waikerie, South Australia


Waikerie is a rural town in the Riverland region of South Australia on the south bank of the Murray River. At the, 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.

Background

The Ngawait people have inhabited the area for millennia. The river and surrounding land provided everything they could possibly need - fish, shellfish, birds, kangaroos, and native fruits.
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. 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 from the ground among the river red gums after heavy rain.
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. The historic former Irrigation Pumping Station Chimney in Scenic Lookout Reserve is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.

Media

The main newspaper of the region is The River News, first published in July 1956 and founded as a direct result of the 1956 Murray River floods.

Waikerie Airport

is near Waikerie. It is home to the Waikerie Gliding Club. It has two runways 08/26 and 02/20. The flat dry terrain provides good thermals for gliding. Waikerie hosted the 14th World Gliding Championships in 1974.

Sport

Waikerie is home to the Waikerie Football Club, who currently play in the Riverland Football League. Former Adelaide Crows captain Mark Ricciuto is from Waikerie and played junior football with the club.
Waikerie is also home to the Sunline Speedway. The speedway has been home to Super Sedan drivers Wally Francombe, Robert Gwynne, Noel Reichstein and twice 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: