Spencer, New South Wales

{{Infobox Australian place

| type = suburb

| name = Spencer

| city = Central Coast

| state = nsw

| image = SpencerNSW.JPG

| caption = Spencer Welcome Sign

| local_map = yes

| zoom = 11

| lga = {{NSWcity|Central Coast Council|b1=on}}

| postcode = 2775

| pop = 288

| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}

| pop_footnotes = {{Census 2021 AUS| id=SAL13623 |name=Spencer| accessdate=29 January 2024|quick=on}}

| elevation = 8

| area =

| est =

| parish = Spencer

| stategov = Gosford

| fedgov = Robertson

| dist1 = 50

| dir1 = W

| location1 = Gosford

| dist2 = 107

| dir2 = N

| location2 = Sydney

| dist3 = 25

| dir3 = SE

| location3 = Wisemans Ferry

| near-nw = Dharug National Park

| near-n = Lower Mangrove

| near-ne = Glenworth Valley

| near-w = Gunderman

| near-e = Mount White

| near-sw = Canoelands

| near-s = Marramarra National Park

| near-se = Wendoree Park

}}

Spencer is a suburb of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the north bank of the Hawkesbury River, just upstream of that river's confluence with Mangrove Creek. Spencer is part of the {{NSWcity|Central Coast Council|b1=on}} local government area.

Geography

Spencer is bound by the Hawkesbury River to the south and west and Mangrove Creek to the east. Despite the relatively short distance from the Pacific Motorway as the crow flies, a boat across Mangrove Creek significantly reduces the distance to be traveled.{{cite web|url=http://www.hawkesburyriver.com/townships.php?id=MSP|title=Spencer|author=Australian River Traders|year=2006|accessdate=18 July 2007}}

History

Early British explorers stepped onto a "marshy outcrop" here during their exploration of the East Coast of Australia, which is commemorated by a monument near the children's playground and public toilet.

Spencer is a township that is presumed to be named for the parish in which it is situated. Originally, thw area was known as Fernleigh. The true name origin of Spencer is unclear, but it is believed to be named after George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834), who became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1794 and held the position until 1810. He was a mentor of Lord Nelson and oversaw many of the Royal Navy's victories over the French.{{cite web|url=http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/placenames.html|title=Placenames|author=Gosford City Library|accessdate=21 July 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829110258/http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/placenames.html|archivedate=29 August 2007}}

Economy

The economy is rural, and farming and fishing are the area's main sources of income.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} Tourism is also growing and based around the history and the scenery of the area.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

References

Category:Suburbs of the Central Coast (New South Wales)