West Wyalong
West Wyalong New South Wales | |
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Main Street (Newell Highway) in West Wyalong | |
![]() ![]() West Wyalong | |
Coordinates | 33°55′0″S 147°13′0″E / 33.91667°S 147.21667°ECoordinates: 33°55′0″S 147°13′0″E / 33.91667°S 147.21667°E |
Population | 2,643 (2011 census)[1] |
Postcode(s) | 2671 |
Elevation | 262 m (860 ft) |
Location | |
LGA(s) | Bland Shire |
Region | Riverina (New South Wales) |
State electorate(s) | Cootamundra |
Federal Division(s) | Riverina |
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]
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.
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[]
- The Poppet Head
- Lions Park Dakota DC3
- West Wyalong Museum
- West Wyalong Airport
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[]
- 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.
- West Wyalong Wildcats - (basketball)
- West Wyalong Mallee Men - rugby league
- West Wyalong-Girral Bulldogs - Australian rules football & netball
- West Wyalong Weevils - senior rugby union
- West Wyalong Pirates - junior rugby union
- Alleena Cricket Club - cricket
- Tallimba Cricket Club - cricket
- White Tank Cricket Club - cricket
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[]
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[]
- Mirrool Silo Kick Challenge (2nd Sat.)[5]
- 'in the West' Festival www.inthewest.com.au[5]
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[]
- Dymphna Cusack, author[3]
- Reginald Roy Rattey, Victoria Cross recipient
- Terry Gathercole, champion swimmer
- Mark O'Meley, rugby league footballer
- Scott Staniforth, rugby union footballer
- Mat McLachlan, author and historian
- Anthony Gelling, rugby union representatives
- Neale Daniher AM, former AFL footballer, former AFL coach and motor neurone disease campaigner
- Terry Daniher, former AFL footballer
- Anthony Daniher, former AFL footballer
- Chris Daniher, former AFL footballer
- Dal Stivens, author - grew up in the town
Gallery[]
Aboriginal Artifacts Store
Ambulance Station
West Wyalong Anglican Church
Bland Shire Council Offices
Colonial Mutual
Commercial Bank of Australia
Commercial Bank of Australia
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[]
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "West Wyalong (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d 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.
- ^ "West Wyalong Movies bringing local history to life". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w West Wyalong NSW find hearts of gold. West Wyalong: Bland Shire Council. 2012. p. 11.
External links[]
Media related to West Wyalong at Wikimedia Commons
- Towns in New South Wales
- Towns in the Central West (New South Wales)
- Newell Highway