State/Territory: New South Wales

Date Name & Boundary Gazetted: 25 February 2016

First Election This Name Was Used At: 1949 federal election Note: The name 'Paterson' was retired for the 1984 federal election and was resurrected for the 1993 federal election, at which time it was jointly named.

First Election This Boundary Was Used At: 2016 federal election

Name Derivation: The electoral division is jointly named in honour of: Colonel William Paterson, 1755–1810. Paterson was a solider and botanist who served as Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of New South Wales (1794–95, 1800–1808 and 1809). The town and river are named after Paterson, and Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson CBE, 1864–1941. Paterson was a journalist, war correspondent and poet whose many works include 'The Man from Snowy River'.

Square Area: 1, 123 Sq Km

Location Description: Paterson extends from Neath, Kurri Kurri and Williamtown in the south, along the Hunter River and Port Stephens in the north and along the Hunter Expressway to the west. The main towns include Kurri Kurri, Maitland, Medowie, Neath, Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace and Williamtown.This description reflects local government areas in existence in 2015.

Demographic Rating: Provincial – outside capital cities, but with a majority of enrolment in major provincial cities.