West Wyalong

Temperatures (average ): 17-32C summer; 3-14C winter

If you want to "get away from it all," then consider West Wyalong. The town's position means travelling some distance to major centres. But many people like that. Judging by the fact that the town has long-time residents, the people here don't mind.

Located on the Newell Highway, the town is a welcome sight to travellers, whether travelling between Brisbane and Melbourne or Sydney and Adelaide. This means a lot of through traffic, which lessens any sense of isolation.

Here is some trivia for you. The main street is awkwardly shaped, even crooked. Why? Originally a bullock track, the road travelled around old gold diggings and tree stumps. If you can't move 'em, go around 'em!

A survey undertaken by the Bland Shire Council of its residents revealed the overwhelming reason people liked living in town was its friendliness. Yes, most towns would claim to be friendly, but the response in this town was really overwhelmingly positive about the friendly community they belong to. Is that how you would describe where you live? It sounds like the locals would wholeheartedly recommend their community as a place to call home. And speaking from personal experience, we really enjoy visiting the town, for the same reason, it is just such a friendly place.

Of interest in that same survey is the second most popular reason residents like living in the town - it's safe. They feel that crime is low and that residents are law abiding. Would you say that about your community? This, too, is a stand out feature of the Bland Shire area.

West Wyalong is starting to sound like a great place to call home. Let's consider some features of the town, and perhaps you would consider making this town your next home.

CLIMATE

Similar to other towns in western New South Wales, summer is typically warm to hot and winter cool/mild. Extreme weather is not usually a problem here, as conditions year round are predominantly calm.

It is worth noting, that although this is dry country, the rainfall is sufficient to live comfortably. Even in this year of drought (2006), one of the locals tells us that those using water tanks have plenty of water. So there is no need to worry excessively about this precious commodity.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Courtesy Bland Shire Council

• Barmedman Modified Tractor Pull
  
  
• Gold Country Muster
  
  
• West Wyalong Show
  
  
• Bland Shire Children's Expo
  
  
• Masonic Debutante Ball
  
  
• Mirrool Silo Kick Challenge

Reasonably competitive in the sports arena are the local football teams. Red and black seems to be a common colour in the rugby league and union teams. The league team is called the mallee men, and the union team the weevils. Either presently or in the very recent past, both teams have performed very well.

There are, of course, other sports that one can participate in, as is common in most communities, such as golf, bowls, and modified tractor pulling (you mean to tell us you don't have this event where you live?).

When the day is over, go and have a drink. Where do you go for a drink? In the Bland Shire area we counted 7 hotels, as well as a country club and bowling club. Can you believe in a town of 3,500 there are so many places to have a drink? Obviously it is serious business.

If it is the arts that interests you, visit the Le Bland Art Gallery, featuring local paintings and sculptures. Other things worth a look are the True Blue Mining Poppet Head, Bland District Museum, Beckett's Pioneer Farm (as things were for the early settlers) and the Green Corridor.

TOWN SERVICES

Schools. Bland Shire has 6 public primary schools and 2 public high schools. There is also one private school. For further education, a TAFE campus services the area.

Health. West Wyalong has 5 doctors plus visiting specialists. The local hospital has 22 beds, with facilities for accident/emergency, medical, surgical, paediatric, physiotherapy and ancillary services.

Shops. The 'crooked mile' is home to most shops. Two of the larger shops are the Superbarn Supermarket and Target Country.

WEST WYALONG AREA

Villages in the area include Tallimba, Weethalle (pronounced wee-thall-ee), Barmedman, Mirrool and Ungarie.

Close by is Lake Cowal, a resting place for many migratory birds. Nearby is the Lake Cowal gold mine.

If mountains are to your liking, on the trip east to Grenfell you will pass the Weddin Mountains. We have had the pleasure of visiting these mountains, which stand out against a largely flat landscape. The famous bushranger, Ben Hall, used the mountains as a hideaway. Today you can still walk to Ben Halls Cave. Rumour has it many of his ill-gotten gains are still in these mountains.

To discover all that West Wyalong has to offer, please contact Bland Shire Tourism for more information. We found them very helpful and we are sure you will also.

Want to see a map of West Wyalong?

ECONOMICS

Employment. West Wyalong's unemployment rate is around 5%, which is about the national average.

Recent investments in mining and agribusiness have boosted the local economy. Barrick Australia Ltd is developing the Cowal Gold Project, committing $220 million to the project. Gold production has commenced. Pace Farm have also recently built the largest egg production facility in the southern hemisphere. Both investments guarantee a solid economic future for the area, atleast into the foreseeable future.

Bland Shire Council has recognised the need for additional residential and industrial land in their region. For this reason, they have taken steps to ensure ongoing investment opportunities exist in the Shire - both residential and industrial land opportunities.

The Central Road Industrial Estate currently has a variety of blocks available for sale in their development of Stage 2 of the Estate. Further details can be obtained through the Council’s Economic Development Unit.

Council is also about to advertise a call for tenders on 13 residential land blocks that have recently been acquired by Council. Land is offered in “as is” condition and must be developed within a 12 month period. Again, for further information or to add your name to the enquiry list, please contact Council’s Economic Development Unit.

Investing. As a result of the above developments, accommodation has been in short supply and rents have increased. Search for real estate or rental properties in the area.

Are there any comments you would like to add to our discussion above? Any photos of West Wyalong you would like to contribute? Please let us know.