West Wyalong


West Wyalong is the main town of the Bland Shire in the northern Riverina region of western New South Wales, Australia. In the 2021 Census, West Wyalong's population was 3,037.
Located west of Sydney as well as being 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.
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

Indigenous history

The Wiradjuri people were the first to inhabit this region. or Wirraayjuurray people 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.
The name Wyalong comes from the Wiradjuri name Waaylang, meaning hard shelled nut. This refers to the quandong seed, which was ground and used for flour, and is still found in the area.
In the 21st century, major Wiradjuri groups live in Condobolin, Peak Hill, Narrandera and Griffith. There are significant populations at Wagga Wagga, Lake Cargelligo and Leeton and smaller groups at West Wyalong, Parkes, Dubbo, Forbes, Cootamundra, Cowra and Young.

Gold rush

Gold was discovered at Wyalong in September 1893 by Joseph Neeld. In 1895 West Wyalong was developed 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. The goldfield was declared the most productive in the colony in 1899.
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.

Climate

West Wyalong features hot and dry summers; and cool winters with extended overcast periods not uncommon, with an increased susceptibility to cold fronts due to its western location. Mean maximum temperatures range substantially between the seasons. There is a stark difference in sky conditions between high summer and mid winter, especially for this northern latitude: in March there are 13.9 clear days and 6.0 cloudy days, whereas in July there are only 7.4 clear days but 12.5 cloudy days. This too is evident by the mean afternoon humidity readings. The last major snowfall in the township was in 1929.

Places of interest

Schools

  • St Mary's War Memorial Catholic School – 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
  • West Wyalong High School
  • Wyalong Public School

Sport

The most popular sport in West Wyalong is rugby league. The Goldfields Rugby League was established in 1911, and, along with Tamworth and Wollongong, was one of the first leagues outside of Sydney and Newcastle.
The town hosts a number of different sports club, catering for both adults and junior players.

Annual shows and events

January

  • Australia Day Breakfast and Awards, West Wyalong
  • David Earl Memorial Cricket Match, West Wyalong

February

March

  • Barmedman Modified tractor Pull
  • Candy Stripe Fair, West Wyalong

April

May

  • Mother's Day Luncheon, West Wyalong
  • Masonic Debutante Ball, West Wyalong

July

  • Catholic Debutante Ball, West Wyalong

August

September

  • Barmedman Show & Beaut-Ute Competition
  • West Wyalong Show
  • Ungarie Show
  • West Wyalong Charity Campdraft

October

  • Mirrool Silo Kick Challenge
  • 'in the West' Festival

November

  • Early Markets, Wyalong

December

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

Notable people from the area

Media

The West Wyalong Advocate newspaper is an independent publication, printed on Fridays. It also services nearby towns including Ungarie and Barmedman.
94.5 GOLD FM is West Wyalong's community radio station. It is an independent not-for-profit community broadcaster founded in 2001.
West Wyalong Movies is a project by Ross Harmer aimed at documenting the history of West Wyalong and The Bland Shire.