West Wyalong
| West Wyalong New South Wales |
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Main Street (Newell Highway) in West Wyalong
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 West Wyalong
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| 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)[1] |
| Postcode(s) | 2671 |
| Elevation | 262 m (860 ft) |
| Location |
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| 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 km 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.
Contents
History[edit]
Gold was discovered at Wyalong in September 1893 by Joseph Neeld. In 1895 West Wyalong was developed 5 km 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 Barrick Cowal Gold Mine and Pace Farm's egg production facility.
West Wyalong Movies is a project by Ross Harmer, and is aimed at documenting the history of West Wyalong and The Bland Shire.
Places of interest[edit]
- The Poppet Head
- Lions Park Dakota DC3
- West Wyalong Museum
Schools[edit]
- 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[edit]
- 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[edit]
The town's rugby league team competed in the Maher Cup.
- 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[edit]
January[edit]
- Australia Day Breakfast and Awards (26th), West Wyalong[4]
- David Earl Memorial Cricket Match, West Wyalong[4]
February[edit]
March[edit]
April[edit]
- ANZAC Day Celebrations (25th)[4]
- Wellness West Wyalong Festival[4]
- Ladies Day Out in West Wyalong[4]
May[edit]
- Mother's Day Luncheon (2nd Sun.), West Wyalong[4]
- Masonic Debutante Ball (2nd Sat.), West Wyalong[4]
July[edit]
- Catholic Debutante Ball, West Wyalong[4]
August[edit]
September[edit]
- Barmedman Show & Beaut-Ute Comp. (1st Sat./Sun.)[4]
- West Wyalong Show (1st Wed.)[4]
- Ungarie Show (2nd Fri.)[4]
- West Wyalong Charity Campdraft[4]
October[edit]
November[edit]
- Early Markets (1st Sat.), Wyalong[4]
December[edit]
- Christmas Market/Carols by Candlelight, West Wyalong[4]
- New year Celebrations & Bi-annual Fireworks, West Wyalong[4]
Notable people from the area[edit]
- Dymphna Cusack, author.[3]
- Reginald Roy Rattey, Victoria Cross recipient
- Terry Gathercole, champion swimmer
- Ron Crowe, champion rugby league footballer
- Mark O'Meley, rugby league footballer
- Scott Staniforth, rugby union footballer
- Mat McLachlan author and historian.
- Anthony Gelling rugby union representative
Gallery[edit]
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Aboriginal Artifacts Store
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Ambulance Station
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West Wyalong Anglican Church
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Bland Shire Council Offices
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Colonial Mutual
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Commercial Bank of Australia
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Commercial Bank of Australia
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Court House
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CWA Hall
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Elders Office
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West Wyalong Federation House
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Houses & Church
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Leadbetter Motor Garage
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Main Street
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Medical Hall
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Mentor Chambers
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West Wyalong Police Station
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West Wyalong Presbyterian Church
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West Wyalong Presbyterian Manse
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RAAF Plane
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West Wyalong Roman Catholic Church
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West Wyalong Post Office
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West Wyalong Rural Bank
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West Wyalong Rural Bank
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Main Street
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Thom's Corner
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Memorial Literary Institute
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Tattersalls Hotel
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White Tank Hotel
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Royal Hotel
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Post Office Hotel
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Metropolitan Hotel
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Globe Hotel
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Empire Hotel
Surrounding towns[edit]
- Barmedman (32 km)
- Burcher (52 km)
- Tallimba (34 km)
- Ungarie (42 km)
- Weethalle (57 km)
- Wyalong (3.5 km)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "West Wyalong (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
- ^ [1]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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[edit]
Media related to West Wyalong, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons
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![[1]](http://lakecowalfoundation.org.au/images/hydrology1.gif){kind=link}