| West Wyalong New South Wales |
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 Location of West Wyalong in New South Wales (red) |
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  West Wyalong
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| Population: | 3326 [1] |
| Postcode: | 2671 |
| 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 |
| Elevation: | 262 m (860 ft) |
| Location: |
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West Wyalong is a town in Australia, the main town for the Bland Shire, located in the Central West region of New South Wales.[2] It is located 467 km west of Sydney and takes almost 5 and a half hours to drive from Sydney and 2 and three-quarter hours to drive from Canberra. 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 Wyalong district is the largest cereal-growing centre in NSW. Eucalyptus oil production started in 1907 and the Wyalong area became one of the major world exporters of the product.
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History
Original inhabitants of the area are the Wiradjuri People.
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 town has been suffering a 5 year drought that has caused a large decrease in the local population with many young people heading for the city for employment and never returning.
Places of interest
- The Poppet Head
- Lions Park Dakota DC3
- West Wyalong Museum
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)
Pubs and clubs in West Wyalong
- The Tattersalls Hotel
- The Post Office Hotel
- The Metropolitan Hotel
- The Globe Hotel
- Royal Hotel
- The Empire Hotel
- The White Tank Hotel
- West Wyalong Services & Citizens Club
- West Wyalong Lawn Bowling Club
- West Wyalong Country
Golf club
Sport
- Weevils - rugby union
- Mallee Men - rugby league
- Girral-West Wyalong Bulldogs - Australian rules football
Notable people from the area
- Dymphna Cusack, author.[3]
- Reginald Roy Rattey
- Terry Gathercole
- Ron Crowe
- Mark O'Meley : NRL Player Roosters
- Scott Staniforth
- Lauren Webber
Surrounding towns
See also
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "West Wyalong (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2001 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2001&areacode=UCL183000&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
- ^ [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.
External links
Historical Images of West Wyalong
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