Location
Yass is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia in Yass Valley Council. The name appears to have been derived from an Aboriginal word, “Yarrh” (or “Yharr”), said to mean ‘running water’.
Yass is located 280 km south-west of Sydney, on the Hume Highway. The Yass River, which is a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River, flows past the town. Yass is 59 km from Canberra.
Yass has an impressive and historic main street, with well-preserved 19th century verandah post pubs (mostly converted to other uses). It is popular with tourists, some from Canberra and others taking a break from the Hume Highway. (wikipedia)
History
The Yass area was first seen by Europeans in 1821, (an expedition led by Hamilton Hume) and by 1830 settlement had begun. It was founded where the nascent Sydney to Melbourne road crossed water in the form of the Yass River.
The site for the town was gazetted in 1837. Yass was incorporated as a District Council in 1843. On 13 March 1873, the Municipal District of Yass was created, and James Cottrell was subsequently elected as the first Mayor of Yass.
Sir Walter Merriman established ‘Merryville’ one of the country’s most famous sheep studs and arguably its leading fine-wool establishment in 1903. Yass is a prominent area for raising sheep which produce very fine wool due to the soil and climatic conditions of the Yass area.
Yass was one of the sites proposed for the Federal Capital after 1901.
Yass was the first town in New South Wales to have a fluoridated water supply in 1956. (wikipedia)
Places of Interest
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