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West Wyalong
New South Wales
West Wyalong Main Street 001.JPG
Main Street (Newell Highway) in West Wyalong
West Wyalong is located in New South Wales
West Wyalong
West Wyalong
Location in New South Wales
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
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
23.5 °C
74 °F
10.1 °C
50 °F
485.8 mm
19.1 in

West Wyalong is the main town of the Bland Shire in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Located 467 kilometres (290 mi) west of Sydney as well as being 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.

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 001
West Wyalong Anglican Church

History

The Wiradjuri people were the first to inhabit 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. 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 has long, hot and very dry summers; and contrastingly cool winters with extended overcast periods not uncommon, with an increased susceptibility to cold fronts due to its far 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.

Climate data for Wyalong Post Office (1950–2015, rainfall 1895–2022); 245 m AMSL; 33.93° S, 147.24° E
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 45.3
(113.5)
44.8
(112.6)
40.6
(105.1)
36.2
(97.2)
28.3
(82.9)
24.2
(75.6)
25.5
(77.9)
28.4
(83.1)
34.4
(93.9)
37.6
(99.7)
42.2
(108.0)
43.6
(110.5)
45.3
(113.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 32.9
(91.2)
31.9
(89.4)
28.7
(83.7)
23.7
(74.7)
18.7
(65.7)
14.9
(58.8)
14.1
(57.4)
16.0
(60.8)
19.6
(67.3)
23.5
(74.3)
27.3
(81.1)
30.7
(87.3)
23.5
(74.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 17.6
(63.7)
17.5
(63.5)
14.5
(58.1)
10.0
(50.0)
6.8
(44.2)
4.2
(39.6)
3.0
(37.4)
3.9
(39.0)
6.2
(43.2)
9.4
(48.9)
12.6
(54.7)
15.4
(59.7)
10.1
(50.2)
Record low °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1)
8.2
(46.8)
5.0
(41.0)
−1.1
(30.0)
−3.0
(26.6)
−4.5
(23.9)
−5.0
(23.0)
−4.5
(23.9)
−3.0
(26.6)
1.1
(34.0)
2.5
(36.5)
6.2
(43.2)
−5.0
(23.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 42.7
(1.68)
38.6
(1.52)
39.7
(1.56)
34.9
(1.37)
39.1
(1.54)
43.1
(1.70)
41.8
(1.65)
39.1
(1.54)
37.5
(1.48)
45.4
(1.79)
38.3
(1.51)
43.7
(1.72)
485.8
(19.13)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 5.0 4.5 4.8 4.7 6.6 8.6 9.8 9.0 7.3 6.9 5.7 5.4 78.3
Average afternoon relative humidity (%) 32 35 37 43 51 61 62 53 46 39 35 34 44
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Wyalong Post Office

Places of interest

  • The Poppet Head
  • Lions Park Dakota DC3
  • West Wyalong Museum
  • The Sister Kissing Booth
  • West Wyalong Airport
  • Easel sculpture of West Wyalong (Drysdale)
  • Wyalong Wetlands
  • Tivoli Theatre

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)

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 (26th), West Wyalong
  • David Earl Memorial Cricket Match, West Wyalong

February

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

March

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

April

  • Anzac Day Celebrations (25th)
  • Wellness West Wyalong Festival
  • Ladies Day Out in West Wyalong

May

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

July

  • Catholic Debutante Ball, West Wyalong

August

  • Weethalle Show (3rd Sat.)
  • West Wyalong Show Ball

September

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

October

  • Mirrool Silo Kick Challenge (2nd Sat.)
  • 'in the West' Festival www.inthewest.com.au

November

  • Early Markets (1st Sat.), Wyalong

December

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

Notable people from the area

  • Dymphna Cusack, author
  • Reginald Roy Rattey, Victoria Cross recipient
  • Terry Gathercole, champion swimmer
  • Mark O'Meley, rugby league footballer
  • Anthony Gelling, rugby league footballer
  • Ron "Dookie" Crowe, Australian representative rugby league footballer
  • Col Ratcliff, rugby league footballer
  • Liam Martin, rugby league footballer
  • Scott Staniforth, rugby union footballer
  • Mat McLachlan, author and historian
  • 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
  • Danny Meagher, Catholic bishop

Gallery

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.

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)
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