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West Wyalong

For the painting, see West Wyalong (Drysdale).

West Wyalong
New South Wales
Main Street (Newell Highway) in West Wyalong
West Wyalong is located in New South Wales
West Wyalong
West Wyalong
Coordinates33°55′0″S 147°13′0″E / 33.91667°S 147.21667°E / -33.91667; 147.21667
Population2,698 (UCL 2021)[1]
Postcode(s)2671
Elevation262 m (860 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Bland Shire
RegionRiverina (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.[2] 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.[3]

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

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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.[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.

Climate

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West Wyalong has long, hot and 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.

The last occurrence of snow in the township was in 1929.[4]

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
West Wyalong Anglican Church

Places of interest

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Schools

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Sport

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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

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January

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February

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March

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April

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May

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July

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August

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September

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October

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November

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December

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Notable people from the area

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Media

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The West Wyalong Advocate newspaper is an independent publication,[6] printed on Fridays. It also services nearby towns including Ungarie and Barmedman.

94.5 GOLD FM is West Wyalong's community radio station.[7] 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.[8]

Surrounding towns

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• 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

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "West Wyalong (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 September 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Snow in Parkes Shire". 16 June 2017.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Members | Country Press New South Wales Inc. | Australia's oldest newspaper industry association Founded 1900". cpnsw.org.au. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  7. ^ "94.5 GOLD FM website". Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  8. ^ "West Wyalong Movies bringing local history to life". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
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Media related to West Wyalong at Wikimedia Commons