Population 765 (2011 census) Postal code 2484 | Postcode(s) 2484 Local time Friday 6:06 AM | |
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Location 8 km (5 mi) S of Murwillumbah Weather 21°C, Wind S at 34 km/h, 83% Humidity | ||
Uki (/ˈjuːkaɪ/ YEW-ky) is a village situated near Mount Warning in the Tweed Valley of far northern New South Wales, Australia in the Tweed Shire. At the 2006 census, Uki had a population of 203 people. The town's name may have derived from an aboriginal word for "small water plant (like a fern) with a yellow flower and edible root".
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Map of Uki NSW 2484, Australia
There are several stories, almost certainly apocryphal, associated with the origins of the name. One is that timber cutters, who were the first non-Aboriginal settlers in the area, marked the finest cedar for export to the United Kingdom with "UK1", this eventually becoming UKI, or Uki as it is known today.
There are three approaches to Uki village; from the North it is approximately 15 minutes by road south of the main township of Murwillumbah along the Kyogle Road and 4 km past the turnoff to the World Heritage listed Mount Warning National Park, from the South West along the Kyogle Road from Lismore, Kyogle and Nimbin and from the East along Smiths Creek Road linking Uki to the quaint village of Stokers Siding and the Tweed Valley Way to popular coastal towns including Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay. It is also possible to travel to Mullumbimby from Uki using gravel back roads and fire trails through the Mount Jerusalem National Park.
Clarrie Hall Dam is located 10 km from Uki, and the area is described as "one of New South Wales’ finest fishing destinations". While the main function of the Dam is to provide fresh water for the Tweed Shire, recreational activities include sailing, rowing, canoeing, bass fishing, picnicking, bush hiking and bird watching.
The last two decades have seen a significant shift in demographics. 'Tree-changers' relocating from cities on the eastern seaboard are bringing new money, business, investment and entrepreneurship to the area enhancing the 'established' families with both remaining attracted by the subtropical climate, close proximity to pretty beaches and coastal villages and of course the world class natural beauty of the area. Increasingly and importantly it is becoming known as a haven from the drought affected areas of the rest of the State and country. When 98% of the State of NSW was declared drought affected recently, Uki was in the 2% that was not drought affected.
Uki today
Prominent buildings in the village include the historical 'Old Butter Factory' and a primary school. There are several stores including a Post Office, General Store, Cafe, Bakery, Pharmacy, wheelchair-accessible Guesthouse and laundromat. The Mount Warning Hotel, which is a popular weekend lunch 'stop-over' for touring motorbikes and those out for a pleasant weekend drive, burnt down in late 2012. It has since been re-built and opened again for business in mid 2015. Uki is the town on which the village of Yurriki in Robert G. Barrett's book The Godson is based.
History
Early pioneers were either timber cutters (usually Australian Red Cedar) or dairy farmers. Photos of The Sisters and Mt Uki near Uki in the early 1900s show these cleared of nearly all vegetation.
Following a rationalisation of the dairy industry in the 1960s many dairies closed down with farmers turning to beef cattle, which remains a feature of the region today. Tropical fruits have also been grown in the area and cane farming is a prominent agricultural activity in the Tweed Valley itself. The last remaining sawmill is located on the Smith's Creek Road towards the north of the village.
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Uki recorded a population of 765 people, 50.5% female and 49.5% male.
The median age of the Uki population was 45 years, 8 years above the national median of 37.
73.4% of people living in Uki were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 6%, New Zealand 3.7%, United States of America 1.3%, Netherlands 0.7%, France 0.5%.
88.5% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.6% German, 0.5% Hebrew, 0.4% French, 0.4% Swedish, 0.4% Spanish.
Sport
There isn't much sport available in Uki. The Uki Pythons Soccer Club are located just out of Uki and most of the players are from the town. In 2015, Uki had 2 Senior Men's teams, 1 Senior Women's team, 5 Junior competitive teams (including 1 all girls team) and 6 Junior Miniroos Teams. The clubs colours are Dark Green with Yellow trim or Yellow Shirt with Green trim and Dark Green shorts and socks. Uki also offers communityTouch football through the summer months. All teams are local and all levels of ability are catered for. Ages range from 6 to 60.