West Wyalong

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. 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. It is situated 262 m 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.

History
The original inhabitants of the area were 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 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 Barrick Cowal Gold Mine and Pace Farm's egg production facility.

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)
 * Wyalong Public School (K-6)

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

Sport

 * West Wyalong-Girral Bulldogs - Australian rules football & netball
 * West Wyalong Mallee Men - rugby league
 * 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

Notable people from the area

 * Dymphna Cusack, author.
 * Reginald Roy Rattey
 * Terry Gathercole
 * Ron Crowe
 * Mark O'Meley
 * Scott Staniforth

Surrounding towns

 * Barmedman (32km)
 * Burcher (52km)
 * Tallimba (34km)
 * Ungarie (42km)
 * Weethalle (57km)
 * Wyalong (3.5km)

Historical Images of West Wyalong

 * Boree Jack
 * Kingsford-Smith's Southern Cross 1931
 * Main Street circa 1973