West Wyalong

West Wyalong
New South Wales

Main Street (Newell Highway) in West Wyalong
West Wyalong
Coordinates 33°55′0″S 147°13′0″E / 33.91667°S 147.21667°E / -33.91667; 147.21667Coordinates: 33°55′0″S 147°13′0″E / 33.91667°S 147.21667°E / -33.91667; 147.21667
Population 2,643 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 2671
Elevation 262 m (860 ft)
Location
State electorate(s) Cootamundra
Federal Division(s) Riverina

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

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

Pubs and clubs in West Wyalong

Globe Hotel

Sport

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

Annual Shows and Events

January

February

March

April

May

July

August

September

October

November

December

Notable people from the area

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 2014-04-10.
    Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ↑
  3. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 West Wyalong NSW find hearts of gold. West Wyalong: Bland Shire Council. 2012. p. 11.

Media related to West Wyalong, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons

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