West Wyalong

West Wyalong is the main town of the Bland Shire in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia.[2] Located 467 kilometres (290 mi) west of Sydney and 262 m (860 ft) above sea level, it is situated on the crossroads of the Newell Highway between Melbourne and Brisbane, and the Mid-Western Highway between Sydney and Adelaide.[3]

For the painting, see West Wyalong (Drysdale).

West Wyalong
New South Wales
Main Street (Newell Highway) in West Wyalong
West Wyalong
Coordinates33°55′0″S 147°13′0″E
Population2,643 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2671
Elevation262 m (860 ft)
Location
  • 467 km (290 mi) from Sydney
  • 93 km (58 mi) from Rankins Springs
  • 104 km (65 mi) from Forbes
LGA(s)Bland Shire
RegionRiverina (New South Wales)
State electorate(s)Cootamundra
Federal Division(s)Riverina

The West Wyalong district is the largest cereal-growing centre in NSW. Eucalyptus oil production started in 1907 and the West Wyalong area became one of the major world exporters of the product.

West Wyalong Anglican Church

History

The Wiradjuri people were the first to inhabitant this region. (Wiradjuri northern dialect pronunciation [wiraːjd̪uːraj]) or Wirraayjuurray people (Wiradjuri southern dialect pronunciation [wiraːjɟuːraj]) are a group of indigenous Australian Aboriginal people that were united by a common language, strong ties of kinship and survived as skilled hunter–fisher–gatherers in family groups or clans scattered throughout central New South Wales.

In the 21st century, major Wiradjuri groups live in Condobolin, Peak Hill, Narrandera and Griffith. There are significant populations at Wagga Wagga and Leeton and smaller groups at West Wyalong, Parkes, Dubbo, Forbes, Cootamundra, Cowra and Young.

Gold was discovered at Wyalong in September 1893 by Joseph Neeld. In 1895 West Wyalong was developed 5 kilometres (3 mi) from Wyalong around the bullock track, without the benefit of town planning, resulting in curious kinks in the road where it avoided trees. As well as the mines, the White Tank water supply was located here. This is now the location of McCann Park.[3] The goldfield was declared the most productive in the colony in 1899.[3]

As mining declined West Wyalong became the main service centre for agriculture in the surrounding district, although for many years there was rivalry between the towns. Both towns wanted the Temora railway line, but settled on a compromise of a station midway between the two towns, called Wyalong Central.

Development since the 1970s has expanded Wyalong in the direction of West Wyalong with several motels built at Central Wyalong. A shared bicycle and pedestrian track was constructed in 1994 to link Wyalong with West Wyalong.

The population has stabilised recently. This is due, in part, to the Cowal Gold Mine adjacent to Lake Cowal, 45 km northeast and Pace Farm's egg production facility.

West Wyalong Movies is a project by Ross Harmer aimed at documenting the history of West Wyalong and The Bland Shire.[4]

Places of interest

Schools
  • St Mary's War Memorial Catholic School (K-6) - The original St. Mary's Church School was built in 1901 of corrugated iron and staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. By 1903 there were 167 students. The present St. Mary's School was built in 1961.
  • West Wyalong Primary School (K-6)
  • West Wyalong High School (7-12)
  • Wyalong Public School (K-6)

Pubs and clubs in West Wyalong
Globe Hotel
  • The Tattersalls Hotel
  • The Metropolitan Hotel
  • Royal Hotel
  • The White Tank Hotel
  • West Wyalong Services & Citizens Club
  • West Wyalong Lawn Bowling Club
  • West Wyalong Golf Club
  • Toppy Pub (Wyalong)

Sport

The town's rugby league team competed in the Maher Cup.

Annual Shows and Events

January
  • Australia Day Breakfast and Awards (26th), West Wyalong[5]
  • David Earl Memorial Cricket Match, West Wyalong[5]

February
  • Pancake Breakfast, West Wyalong[5]
  • West Wyalong Rugby League Knockout (Last Fri./Sat.)[5]
  • Dean Wood Big Gig

March
  • Barmedman Modified tractor Pull (1st Sat.)[5]
  • Candy Stripe Fair, West Wyalong[5]

April
  • ANZAC Day Celebrations (25th)[5]
  • Wellness West Wyalong Festival[5]
  • Ladies Day Out in West Wyalong[5]

May
  • Mother's Day Luncheon (2nd Sun.), West Wyalong[5]
  • Masonic Debutante Ball (2nd Sat.), West Wyalong[5]

July
  • Catholic Debutante Ball, West Wyalong[5]

August

September
  • Barmedman Show & Beaut-Ute Comp. (1st Sat./Sun.)[5]
  • West Wyalong Show (1st Wed.)[5]
  • Ungarie Show (2nd Fri.)[5]
  • West Wyalong Charity Campdraft[5]

October

November
  • Early Markets (1st Sat.), Wyalong[5]

December
  • Christmas Market/Carols by Candlelight, West Wyalong[5]
  • New year Celebrations & Bi-annual Fireworks, West Wyalong[5]

Notable people from the area
  • Aboriginal Artifacts Store
  • Ambulance Station
  • West Wyalong Anglican Church
  • Bank of New South Wales
  • Bland Shire Council Offices
  • Colonial Mutual
  • Commercial Bank of Australia
  • Commercial Bank of Australia
  • Commonwealth Bank
  • Court House
  • CWA Hall
  • Elders Office
  • West Wyalong Federation House
  • Houses & Church
  • Leadbetter Motor Garage
  • Main Street
  • Medical Hall
  • Mentor Chambers
  • West Wyalong Police Station
  • West Wyalong Presbyterian Church
  • West Wyalong Presbyterian Manse
  • RAAF Plane
  • West Wyalong Roman Catholic Church
  • West Wyalong Post Office
  • West Wyalong Rural Bank
  • West Wyalong Rural Bank
  • Main Street
  • Thom's Corner
  • Memorial Literary Institute
  • Tattersalls Hotel
  • White Tank Hotel
  • Royal Hotel
  • Post Office Hotel
  • Metropolitan Hotel
  • Globe Hotel
  • Empire Hotel

Surrounding towns
• Barmedman(32 km or 20 mi)
• Burcher(52 km or 32 mi)
• Tallimba(34 km or 21 mi)
• Ungarie(42 km or 26 mi)
• Weethalle(57 km or 35 mi)
• Wyalong(3.5 km or 2.2 mi)

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "West Wyalong (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  3. Dow L, Guyon D, Irving R, McPhee M, Matthews A, Prineas P, Rubinich T, Simpson J (1995). Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Australian Places. Surry Hills, NSW: Reader's Digest. p. 227. ISBN 0-86438-399-1.
  4. "West Wyalong Movies bringing local history to life". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  5. West Wyalong NSW find hearts of gold. West Wyalong: Bland Shire Council. 2012. p. 11.

Media related to West Wyalong at Wikimedia Commons

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