LEETON • • WHITTON Historical Guide Leeton • Yanco • Whitton

Budyaan Baamirra Centre Leeton’s Aboriginal Heritage

Fivebough & Tuckerbil Wetlands

Leeton is located in the country of the waterbirds, along with yabbies, mussels and Wiradjuri nation. The Wiradjuri people were various plant species. The return journey known as the people of the three rivers: the in the autumn months would often see the Wambool (now known as the Macquarie addition of emu eggs and young to this diet River), the Kalari (the Lachlan River) and the of wetland species. Murrumbidjeri (the Murrumbidgee River). An important aspect of these food gathering Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands have practices was that only enough food for the always been important to the local Wiradjuri next meal was taken at any one time and people, particularly due to the abundance breeding stock was usually left unharmed. of edible plant and animal species present Such sustainable practices ensured that throughout the year. The wetlands were impacts on population numbers of food historically used as stopovers when species were negligible and loss of a journeying between the Murrumbidgee particular species through over-hunting River and the nearby mountains. Travelling was unlikely. Such sustainable practices from the river to the mountains each spring, are only now being adopted by the wider Wiradjuri people would gather the eggs community, with modern society learning and nestlings of swans, ducks and other from the example of the past. Historical Guide

Fivebough

Many historical food species, both plant and animal, still thrive in the wetlands to this day. Some of the plants used are; Ruby Salt Bush, Old Man Salt Bush, Spiny Salt Bush and Hills Indigo just to name a few. These plants are of spiritual and cultural significance.

Tuckerbil wetland is part of the Koonadan Fivebough Aboriginal Site. Koonadan is a significant site due to the presence of skeletal material Due to the need to preserve the area, which establishes the sand hills as an Tuckerbil and Koonadan are generally not ancient Wiradjuri burial ground. Evidence open to the public, however Fivebough of early occupation can still be found and Wetland is open all year round. It is a includes a thin scatter of stone tools with RAMSAR accredited bird watching area and pieces of grinding dishes over the whole can be found only 2km from the Leeton area, and ground ovens. CBD.

For more information about the historical and cultural significance of Fivebough, Tuckerbil and Koonadan, please contact the Leeton and District Local Aboriginal Land Council or see their website ldlalc.com.au.

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Leeton

Leeton, unlike most country towns, did not Club. Meanwhile, labourer’s camps were being develop around a local pub, supply store or established such as Alexander’s Camp and railway station. It was purposely built as part of Crusher Camp. the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme. The first buildings to be erected here in 1911/12 were the Most early WC & IC staff and labourers lived in offices of the employees of the Murrumbidgee tents, either with bare dirt floors or wooden floor Irrigation Trust (control was later transferred to boards. These tents were arranged in rows or the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission). streets and many had little garden plots around These were followed by other buildings such as them. By July 1912 approximately 500 plots of a hospital, accommodation house and Officers land were made available for settlement for

Channel building Married Officers’ Quarters

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Leeton from Water Tower 1926

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Accommodation House

which the Trust had received 470 applications. New businesses quickly emerged such as cafes, newsagents, horse yards, stables, general stores, and a boarding house. Mr A T McKay, Builder and Contractor boasted he “will build a house a day – a street a week”.

Early planning errors and the onset of WWI slowed down this fast pace, however the influx of Soldier Settlers after the war brought a renewed effort in the development of the town. Crusher Camp Many businesses were created during the 1920’s and 30’s which has left us with a legacy of many beautiful Art Deco style buildings.

After World War II there was an increase in Italian immigration to Australia. Many of the newcomers were experienced farmers so were drawn to the Leeton area. Those that prospered were able to sponsor family and friends to migrate so that Leeton now has a high population of people First Bakery, 1912 with Italian Heritage.

You can obtain a guide to the Art Deco buildings found in Leeton at the Leeton Visitor’s Information Centre.

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WC &IC Manager’s residence completed in 1913 converted to the Leeton Visitor Information Centre in 1997

Leeton Visitor’s Information - 10 Yanco Avenue

Amongst the first buildings to be erected in sheeting and corrugated iron roof. In 1991 the Water Leeton were the residences of the officers Commission proposed that the building should be of the Water Conservation and Irrigation sold and it approached Leeton Shire Council as a Commission. Completed in 1913, 10 Yanco potential purchaser. The Council was subsequently Avenue was to become the home of the assisted in the purchase of the residence by a Chief Engineer Mr F M Smith but later became contribution from the Leeton Soldiers Club. In 1992 known as the WC & IC Manager’s Residence. it was proposed to locate the Visitors Information It was described as a “large bungalow-type Centre within the Managers Residence and the dwelling” in the Federation style. It is a timber new centre was opened on 14th September 1997. framed building with weatherboard external See www.leetontourism.com.au

Visitor Information Centre

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Chief Engineer’s Residence 1912

Next door to the Chief Engineer’s residence was It was a large 2 story residence in brick and wood the home of the Commissioner of the Water with a “deep arched portico and a magnificent Conservation and Irrigation Commission (WCIC). balcony”. In 1926 it was leased out as a private hospital called “Allynbrook”. This hospital was the birth place of many local residents, however due to difficulties with moving stretchers up and down the staircase, it was closed in 1940.

By 1940 the building was acquired by the Returned Serviceman’s League to be used as the War Memorial and Soldiers Club. Renovations and improvements to the building were completed 2nd June 1945 and the new library wing was officially opened that afternoon. During the early hours the next morning the Allynbrook building was destroyed in a fire. Our current Leeton Soldiers Club was built on the site in stages from 1949 to 1964. It contains a memorial shrine commemorating the service of the 1025 men and women who enlisted from Leeton and district in World War II.

For information see leetonsoldiers.com.au. Corner of Kurrajong and Acacia Avenues

During the construction of residences for the senior officers of the WCIC, there were concerns that settler’s homes were taking too long to build and were made with poorer quality materials. To “even the score”, the ornate door which was to be fitted to the Commissioner’s house disappeared one night, never to be seen again.

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Baptist and Methodist Churches

Leeton Methodist Church Baptist Church (now known as Leeton Uniting Church) - 55 Church Street - 42 Church Street

The Methodist Church was one of the first The Baptist Church was the first denomination to churches established in Leeton. A Mr J R Lee appoint a minister of religion to the settlement. arrived in Leeton early in 1912 and pitched a tent Pastor Richard Dobbinson commenced duties in what was then called 2nd Street. Mr Lee held in October 1911 and served the interests of services in various locations, including Crusher all Protestant denominations until in turn Camp, Yanco & Brobenah. Due to Mr Lee’s Methodist, Anglican and other churches became efforts, the Methodists were the first to open a established. Services were held in a large tent church building in Leeton constructed of wood until a new church building was opened in 1913. and fibro. It was situated where the present This building was later moved to the corner of Uniting Church building now stands but in 1937, Grevillia Street and Wade Avenue. it was moved on rollers to the rear of the block to enable the newer brick church to be built.

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Church of England St Joseph’s Church

Church of England St Joseph’s Catholic Church – 38 Church Street The first services of the Church of England in the Mass services in Leeton were first held in settlement were held in a workshop in Yanco the school building in Crusher Camp in Palm where an anvil was used as a pulpit. Later they Avenue from about 1912. A visiting priest were also held in the new school building in Father Gray of would bring a Crusher Camp. When the school building was portable altar with him for this purpose. moved to the Mountford Park area, services Later when the school was moved to what is continued to be held there. Nearby on the corner now Mountford Park, services would be held of Oak and Church Sts the new church building there. Father Gray would often lend his altar was being completed. The original building was to the visiting Narrandera Church of England made of mud bricks and was officially opened in clergyman whose services would always May 1913. There were concerns about the safety follow the mass. The foundation stone for of the building from the start and after several the Catholic Church building was laid in repairs it was decided to erect a new building August of 1914 on the corner of Church in 1973. The older building was eventually and Ash Streets. It was one of the first condemned and demolished in 1996. brick buildings in Leeton. In 1951 Council approved the construction of a larger church building on the corner of Wade Avenue and Church Streets. The Wagga Wagga diocese purchased the Yanco Brickworks which produced 440,000 for the church alone. The building was completed in 1955. The old church building was renovated and is now in use as classrooms for St Josephs Primary School.

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Court House 1927 Water Tower No. 1 in 1915

Leeton Court House Water Towers – Chelmsford Place

Plans for the Court House were drawn up The 2 smaller water towers at the northern by Government Architect Mr George McRae end of Chelmsford Place were designed by and the contract was awarded to builder W C Walter Burley Griffin to act as “a high portal Hanson in 1922. Prior to the official opening to the new town square”. They were in fact in 1924, Births, Deaths and Marriages for the first Griffin design to be built in Australia the Leeton district were all registered at and include a “perforated Enrichment” on Narrandera Court House. top of both towers. Griffin had a view of the Chelmsford Place area being the cultural and entertainment centre of town. His design included a fountain and ornamental pools and native trees were to be a feature of the new plaza.

“Perhaps the good old afternoon band concerts of Spanish towns may be revived here where environment and temperament of the people are so well situated.” W B Griffin.

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Hydro Hotel prior to addition of South Wing

Historic Hydro Hotel – Chelmsford Place Hydro Hotel from Water Tower

During the early years of settlement Hydro” in 1917. When it finally opened in there was a need for a better style of 1919 it did not have a liquor license at all. accommodation for visitors to the region. There was a great deal of criticism of Arguments ensued as to whether a coffee the WCIC for the amount of money it was palace or state hotel would be appropriate. spending on such buildings. The railway The MIA was already a designated Prohibition had not yet been built from Yanco to Leeton area, so a state hotel would be run on the and the expense of carting bricks and Gothenburg Principle where alcohol could other building materials to the building site only be served with a meal. The developing inflated the costs. Sly Grog trade was causing concern and so the WCIC commenced building the “Hotel But as one visiting reporter exclaimed

“The view from the balcony, which runs nearly all round it, is remarkably fine. One can see countless thousands of fruit trees stretching out as far as the eye can reach, their green foliage looking remarkably effective against the background of dry, sunburnt hills.”

In February 1924 the Hydro Hotel was sold to On 7th May 1924 headlines read “Drought Daniel McLeish who added a bar and south Breaks - Irrigation Area Joyful” as the first wing. At the same time the Hydro Public pub in Leeton opened and the locals enjoyed Bar was erected nearby, on the corner of free beer all day and “a general celebration”. Sycamore Street and Chelmsford Place. A Sadly the public bar, later known as the liquor license was applied for and granted Hydro Tavern was destroyed by fire in July 30th April 1924 and covered both the Hydro 2011. The Historic Hydro Hotel however is Hotel and the new Hydro Public Bar. still standing and still provides comfortable accommodation to visitors to the Leeton area.

See www.hydromotorinn.com.au

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The Roxy Theatre

Roxy Theatre – 114 Pine Avenue

In 1927 Mr George Conson, who was already for 6 nights running the Enterprise Hall and Globe from the 9th Theatre, saw a need for a larger indoor October 1933. theatre so purchased the block on the corner of Pine & Wade Avenues. Tenders The Theatre is were called and the winning architects were one of a very Kaberry and Chard who were specialists in small number theatre design. Building was commenced in of two level 1929 and the 1091 seat theatre was named cinemas in “The Roxy” after the largest picture theatre the State. The in the world, The Roxy Theatre in New York. Theatre is Mr Conson installed state of the art sound listed by the and projection equipment costing £5,000. NSW State The first movie shown on the 7th April Heritage Office Poster of the Movie 1930 was “The Black Watch” starring Victor and has been The Black Watch McLaglen and Myrna Loy. classified by the National Trust and, in its present role, is In 1931 a fire was deliberately lit in the a multi-function centre combining concerts, Confectionary shop within the Roxy. live theatre, films and community events Fortunately the building was saved by the with a capacity of 700 seats. Currently attending fire brigade. screening days are Fridays and Saturdays, with special Matinees held during school In July 1933 the large red neon lighted holidays. letters on top of the building were switched on for the first time. In October of that year The Theatre is available for tours on a stage was added to enable concerts and request. Further details can be obtained by ANZAC day services to be held indoors. To contacting Roxy Manager 02 6953 2074. mark its official opening, soprano singer Miss Gladys Moncrieff was engaged to sing See www.roxyleeton.com.au

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Early Hospital in the Gralee area

Leeton District Hospital – Corner Wade and Palm Avenues

The first hospital in Leeton was a temporary of a larger permanent public hospital. The structure of wood and canvas, situated in site chosen for this was a block bounded what is now the Gralee area. A more by Wade & Palm Avenues and Myall Street. substantial structure was built in 1912 Due to World War 1, fund raising was slow on the same site. At the same time a and the new hospital was not built until committee was formed to administer the 1918. It was constructed of weatherboard hospital and to bring about the construction and fibro-cement sheets.

The new public hospital was built just in time for the influx of patients suffering from the world wide epidemic of Spanish Influenza. Even so, tents and volunteer carers were needed to deal with the high number of people requiring care and isolation.

As Leeton grew, so did the need to build an even larger public hospital. In 1941 a foundation stone was laid on the same block for the construction of a new modern two storeyed brick building which incorporated a 28 bed public ward for men and a 30 bed public ward for women. The new hospital was opened in 1942 and the old hospital became a maternity ward and a children’s ward. In 1952 a third storey was added to the main hospital to create the familiar building Nurse outside Tent Hospital we see today.

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Beginnings of Leeton District Hospital

Over the years Leeton also had a number of private hospitals which mostly dealt with obstetric patients. These include: Allynbrook - which became the Leeton Soldiers Club but was lost to fire in 1945. Merungle Private Hospital - later the Wade Club and now a private residence. The Haven – now a private residence.

Leeton District Hospital 1942

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Mountford Park School Buildings

Leeton Public School/Mountford Park Avenues

Leeton’s first school was a single room, one In November 1924, disaster struck when teacher school built at Crusher Camp and 2 boys trespassing on the school grounds, located on Palm Avenue. The first teacher set fire to one of the buildings, destroying 4 was Mr C Bagust who started on 7th May classrooms. A result of this was that rather 1912. In 1913 a new school site was chosen than rebuild on the same site, a large block on the corner of Church Street and Wade of land consisting of over 22 acres was Avenue. New Classrooms were built there obtained and the school was moved there. and the original building from Crusher This included the original building which had Camp was moved to the new site. Not long been moved from Crusher Camp. In 1926 after, this same building was blown down in the new school was opened which included a wind storm but was re-erected. a double storey brick building. Over time this public school has become the Leeton Public School and Leeton High School.

First school Leeton Public School

In September 1928 it was suggested that the former school grounds be converted to a public park. This was approved by council and during the 1930’s thanks to the work of numerous volunteers the pathways and garden beds were established and the area officially became “Mountford Park”. A WWII memorial Rose Garden was constructed in 1946 and playground equipment added in the 1950’s. In 1956 the large water reservoir was added which increased the water storage capacity for the town.

14 Historical Guide Leeton Town We lie at rest when the day is late On stretchers set on verandahs wide, With a clear canal at our garden gate And fruit trees growing on either side. With native saplings that seem to look To a future grand with a faith that’s blind, Where a channel runs like an English brook With a rustic bridge to the lane behind, And the pine trees run by a long red road Straight to the rim where the sun goes down And we, for a season, have dropped each load Of care and sorrow by Leeton town Henry Lawson

Henry Lawson’s Cottage – Daalbata Road

Henry Lawson was one of Australia’s most years cared for Lawson, ensuring he had famous poets and story writers. He began both food and shelter. They were provided writing around 1887 and by the early 1900’s with a cottage at Farm 418, Daalbata Road. was considered a celebrity in Australia. Henry informed “The Irrigator” newspaper Unfortunately Lawson suffered from at the time that due to ill health “he was depression and alcoholism and spent many sentenced to six months on the area. His years in and out of prison and asylums. His first impressions were that he would be wife Bertha applied for legal separation in pleased to extend the sentence to life and 1903 and took their children with her. From settle down on a little farm”. then Lawson spent much of his time in poverty, relying on the generosity of friends Despite the availability of liquor, Lawson’s and supporters to survive. health did improve a little and his time in Leeton was quite productive. He was able to In about 1915 those same friends assisted renew his friendship with poet Jim Grahame him to obtain a position of Publicist for the and meet again with writer Dame Mary Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, with a view to Gilmore with whom he had once been close. attracting settlers to the area. Leeton was He produced around 30 poems and 10 prose well chosen as it was a Prohibition area. It sketches and also revised his earlier works should have been difficult for Henry to obtain for an important “Selected Works” which any type of liquor in town but of course was published in 1918. “A Letter From the reality was that sly grog was readily Leeton” was credited by a government report available and with regular train services as having “inestimable value” in attracting to Narrandera, locals would often catch settlers to the M.I.A after World War I. the train on Saturday afternoon and return drunk on Sunday. Lawson made friends Lawson’s position as publicist was to have easily and his new friends would assist him been for 6 months but stretched to 18 to travel to Whitton or Narrandera which months. He returned to Sydney in August 1917 remained outside the prohibition zone. and died at Mrs Byers home in Abbotsford in 1922. Henry Lawson’s former home in Henry Lawson arrived in Leeton in January Daalbata Road has now been restored and 1916 with his friend and housekeeper Mrs is used to house medical students working Byers. She was also a poet and had for many in the area.

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Main Street Yanco Yanco

Although part of NSW, the area The purpose of the station was to service had closer trading ties to during the North Yanko Sheep Station which at that the 1800s. Sydney politicians realised that time was owned by the Douglas family. The they needed to improve access to Sydney station master and a few railway fettlers markets for local goods, so the idea of were the only inhabitants. extending the railway system to the Riverina was born. The town It wasn’t until the Murrumbidgee Irrigation of Yanco came into being when this railway Scheme was proposed that the town began line was extended from Narrandera to Hay. to take shape. The Yanco Experiment farm The railway arrived in the area in 1881 and was developed in 1908 to show settlers what on the 3rd of March the “Yanko Siding” could be grown in the area. Government railway station was opened. workshops were established in 1910 consisting of a sawmill, timber yard, joinery, tank making workshop and a Government Store.

Yanco Post Office

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Cudgel Street

To Leeton

Progress Street

Hebden Street

Gogeldrie Street

Main Avenue Widgelli Street Progress Street Binya Street Short Street

Power House Museum

Gogeldrie Branch Canal Coonong Street

McCaughy Place

Junee - Hay Railway

To Narrandera

Yanco Ag High School Entrance 2km Murrumbidgee Rural Study Centre

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Yanco Government Workshop 1913 Sir Samuel McCaughey

Yanco School

An application was received in 1908 for a With the increase in population came the school to be built but nothing was done until need for a larger school and the Gobba Sir Samuel McCaughey endorsed the plan Goula building was again moved to the new and offered the use of a shed for a temporary school site and converted to a weather shed. school house. He then donated the school A new 2 room building was erected and building which was transported from Gobba opened as a school in 1913. Goula school near Narrandera to Yanco. Furniture came from the disused Uroly In 1936 a new Principal was about to take school. In the early years of settlement, life over the school when disaster struck for the teachers was difficult because no and the school building including the old accommodation was provided and they had weather shed were destroyed by fire and to live in tents. The boarding house at Yanco three room brick building was built in its was too expensive for a teacher’s salary. place. Further buildings have been added over the years including the old “Morundah” school building which was transported to the site in 1979.

First School Building Yanco 1913

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Sir Samuel McCaughey Sir Samuel McCaughey’s Homestead

Yanco Agricultural High School – Sir Samuel McCaughey’s Homestead

When Samuel McCaughey arrived in Australia the Murrumbidgee, he went ahead and in the 1850’s, the son of an Irish linen purchased the property North Yanko in 1899. merchant, he already had some business experience. Nevertheless, at his uncle As with his other properties he started Charles Wilson’s property near Horsham making improvements to water access. Victoria, he started working as a station A complex series of channels were built, hand to learn the business from the bottom using 2 steam engines to pump water from up. With assistance from his relatives, he the Murrumbidgee. McCaughey used the acquired the property Coonong near success of this system and his political N.S.W. in 1860 and by 1864 was the sole connections as a member of the Legislative owner. He improved the property by building Council to convince the government that dams and deepening the Yanko Creek. This widespread irrigation was vital to the brought him an increase in wealth which success of the country. enabled him to purchase further properties of Singorimba, Goolgumbla, Coree, Toorale The government agreed and the and Dunlop. At various times McCaughey Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme was owned or shared in twelve stations in New born. Building of Burrinjuck (Barren Jack) South Wales and three in Queensland with a dam commenced and 70,000 acres of the total area of about 3,250,000 acres (1,315,242 North Yanko property were resumed by ha). His successful experiments in sheep the government, leaving Sir Samuel a life breeding brought him great renown here tenancy in the remaining portion. This portion and overseas. included the North Yanko homestead, which had been built in 1899 by Sir Samuel. McCaughey lived at Coonong for almost 40 years and at various times had been involved Although he was a bachelor, North Yanco in disputes with his downstream neighbours homestead was a grand double storey brick over his dam building. He was an astute building, suitable for entertaining visiting business man and when plans were put dignitaries and their wives in style. He forward for building irrigation canals off lived in the homestead until his death in

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Yanco Agricultural High School Opening 1922

1919. Due to a new land tax law introduced Many improvements have been made in 1910, Sir Samuel had sold off all his including a dairy, stable, new class blocks, properties. So at the time of his death, he sportsground, dormitories, hall and hospital owned no land whatsoever but his estate block. In 1959 a swimming pool was added was worth £1,600,000. After personal which meant students no longer had to bequests to his family, much of his funds swim in the Murrumbidgee river. went to orphanages, schools, universities, hospitals and charities to assist the families Sir Samuel McCaughey’s former home can of deceased soldiers. be visited during school hours. Phone 02 6951 1500. After McCaughey’s death, the building was www.yancoag-h.schools.nsw.edu.au resumed by the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission and was offered to the NSW Education Department as a school to train future farmers. McCaughey Park

The first principal of the Yanco Agricultural High School arrived 18th January 1922. The McCaughey Park is the site of a natural building and grounds had been deserted spring-fed waterhole. This waterhole was for 3 years and there was no power or used to water sheep as they awaited shearing water connected. A bush fire had recently at the nearby North raged through the area which now looked Yanco woolshed. It barren and uninviting. On a 45°C day the is now a haven for first students, teachers and staff arrived. swans, geese, ducks Hurricane lamps were used at night and and other waterbirds. the boys had to bathe in the river until It is also the site of McCaughey’s old water pump was fixed. a statue erected in Sadly a student drowned in the river a month 2013 in memory of Sir after the school opened. Samuel McCaughey and his contribution Over the years the schools fortunes to creating the have varied depending on how the Murrumbidgee agricultural industry itself was faring. Irrigation Area. McCaughey Statue

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Yanco Power Station Yanco Powerhouse Museum

Yanco Power Station

The Yanco Power Station was built in 1913 giving 4,750Kw capacity. At its peak 800kms to supply power to the Murrumbidgee of wires radiated from the power house to Irrigation Area, when power was required Leeton and Griffith. 10,000 tonnes of coal for general lighting and for the Leeton were required to run the station each year. Butter Factory. The site on which it was The Power Station ceased operation in 1958 constructed was chosen as it was close to and was purchased from the Electricity the Yanco railway line for obtaining coal Commission in 1967 by the Yanco & District and close to a water source which would Pioneers and Historical Association in 1972 be used for condensing water. Initially a and later turned into the Yanco Powerhouse 75Kw generator was installed however by Museum. 1936 4 further turbines had been installed

The museum is open from 10am to 4pm on the last Sunday of the month or by appointment. Phone 02 6955 7765. When running, the Yanco Miniature Railway Club Inc. will also have miniature train rides available and the Yanco markets are also held in the Yanco Hall on the same day.

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Yanco Experiment Farm Entrance

Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre

The MRSC complex was established in 1908 ostriches, horses and mules. 1922 saw the as the Yanco Experiment Farm. Its purpose introduction of Californian rice varieties was to experiment with potential crops for which became the foundation of commercial the recently commissioned Murrumbidgee rice production in the MIA. Irrigation Scheme as well as provide settlers with vines and seedlings and agricultural In 1928 financial constraints saw the training. Sir Samuel McCaughey sold a Experiment Farm transferred to the Dept of portion of his North Yanco property to the Education and it was reborn as the Riverina Dept of Agriculture and helped with the Welfare Farm. It was to be a training facility supply of equipment and water. for delinquent boys up to the age of 18. Along with other buildings a 3 cell gaol was Results from various crops grown at the built plus a solitary confinement cell at the Experiment Farm were widely advertised rear for the worst offenders. in journals, pamphlets, magazines and newspaper articles, although a Royal The first Superintendant was Major Commission in 1915 found that the farm Parsonage. The Major did not believe in had been of minimal assistance to the local his staff carrying canes to punish boys settlers. but instead introduced a system of awards rather than punishment. Unfortunately Just some of the produce grown there when punishments did occur they generally were cabbages, silver beet, lucerne, pears, involved boys being forced to take part peaches, apricots, olives and tobacco. in boxing matches with other boys and There were also herds of dairy cattle, resulted in many being severely beaten.

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POW Camp

POW Italian Workers Experiment Farm

Another punishment had boys exercising cannery which would then feed the overseas continuously or they had to complete a troops. There were also orchards, cereal number of laps around a field. Witnesses crops and livestock. claimed that these punishments could go on for hours. After the death of an inmate After the war the farm was returned to an inquiry was held in 1934 and Major the Department of Agriculture and again Parsonage was removed from his position. became the Yanco Experiment Farm then later the Yanco Agricultural College and Mr Harry Saxby became Superintendant Research Station. It is now known as the in 1936 and over the following 4 years Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre and was responsible for a series of reforms provides a wide range of training courses for and innovations which made the Riverina primary producers, owners of small farms, Welfare Farm one of the most successful in new entrants to agriculture and horticulture, the country. and to those thinking of investing in a rural enterprise. With the onset of World War II, the Riverina Welfare Farm became the site of a Prisoner Accommodation is available at the centre of War camp. It was known as POW Camp 15 including motel style or bunkhouse. Details and held up to 774 Italian prisoners of war. can be found at www.mrsc.nsw.edu.au or As with the Welfare Farm the POW Camp phone 1800 628 422. remained a commercial enterprise. Italian prisoners were required to work producing vegetables for processing at the Leeton

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Whitton Post Office Whitton

The township of Whitton was established In 1883 township blocks were offered for as a direct result of the extension of the sale and that year the Railway Department South West Railway from Narrandera to changed Hulong to Whitton in honour of Hay. The railway station became the nucleus the Chief Engineer for railways, Mr John of the town after it opened in 1881. Prior to Whitton. This name was adopted by mid this however the area was well known to 1883 and the township grew rapidly with bullock teamsters travelling the Victoria- hotels and schools being established. Queensland stock route from the 1850’s onwards. “Hulong” as it was known then In the 1890’s Whitton was a thriving town, it (for the Hulong Pastoral Holding) became boasted 4 hotels, numerous stores, banks, a campsite for teamsters waiting for the churches, blacksmith, barber shop, butcher, Murrumbidgee river levels to drop so that coach builders, school and a sawmill. they could cross in safety. Later bullock teams were used to cart goods from outlying The new century saw the town devastated areas to the railway station. It was common by drought, dust storms and fire. A rabbit to see as many as 200 bullock teams preserving company was forced to close camped out at Whitton, either held up by down due to a lack of rabbits! bad weather or waiting for supplies to come by train. A disastrous fire in 1922 saw a number of the buildings in the main street destroyed which is why many of the buildings in Benerembah Street have “Art Deco” style features.

Albion Hotel Whitton

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Naradhun St Brunell Street Binyah Street

Conapaira Street

Railway Reserve

Stephenson Street

Benerembah Street

Naradhun Street

Gogeldrie Street

Museum

Bringan Street

Melburgen Street

Kooba Street Conapaira Street Binyah Street

Purdon Street Beechworth Street

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AJS Bank McGaw Church

Former Australian McGaw Presbyterian Joint Stock Bank Church (now a private residence)

The AJS bank arrived in Whitton in 1890 with the The McGaw Presbyterian Church was construction of the building in Melburgen Street. established in 1895. Mrs Newson and her The two front rooms were for banking and the daughter donated land towards creation remaining rooms and a detached kitchen were of a Church while Mrs Sarah McGaw of used as a residence. Trading was suspended for “Marinella” and “Kooba” Stations donated several months during the Australian banking 1000 guineas through the Centenary of crisis of 1893 but the Whitton branch continued Thanksgiving Fund to construct a church in on through various bank amalgamations until memory of her late husband William McGaw finally closing its doors in 1933. (1834-1894) who with his brother owned Kooba Station. Tenders were called in July 1901 and construction of the uniquely styled church was undertaken.

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Whitton Railway Station

St John the Evangelist Whitton Railway Station

St John the Evangelist Former Railway Anglican Church Station

St John’s Church was established in 1883 The timber railway station was constructed and served from Narrandera. The first in Brunell Street for the Department of resident minister was the Rev GFR Nobbs. Public Works by Mr A H Scouller and opened Rev Nobbs was born at Norfolk Island and on 1 September 1881. The former railway was a descendant of Fletcher Christian station building consisted of Waiting, Station of “Mutiny on the Bounty” fame. He was Masters, Porter’s, Kitchen and Lamp rooms. even more notorious however in his former In 1892 records show 4,000 bales of wool parish in Queensland where he was accused were despatched and 200 passengers of defrauding a number of his parishioners. conveyed monthly from the Whitton Railway The Whitton parish covered a wide area and Station. The present station building was the Reverend sometimes had to conduct in use by the Railways up until its closure services in places that were more than in 1974 and it was saved from demolition 100kms away, travelling by horse and cart. by the historical society in 1977. It was relocated to its current position in 1983 and the museum was officially opened in 1988.

27 Leeton • Yanco • Whitton

Whitton Courthouse Whitton Courthouse

Former Courthouse

The first Court of Petty Sessions was held obtained by the Whitton Historical and in 1890 in a lock up that stood to the right Cultural Society in 1977 with the intention of the Anglican Church in Melbergen Street. of creating a museum. A settlers hut, was In December 1898 tenders were called for received in 1981 and the Railway Station the erection of a Courthouse and Lock-up in was moved to the site in 1985. Soon after Gogeldrie Street with living quarters for the the local butcher’s shop was relocated to Lock-up keeper. the museum as well. The Whitton Museum is open each Saturday and Sunday between The Courthouse was last used as a Court 1pm and 4pm, or by appointment. of Petty Sessions in 1974. The courthouse Ph: 02 6955 2691. and surrounding land and buildings were

In 1911 Whitton was involved in a notorious murder. Two boys named Reg Clare and William Millar murdered Mrs Sarah Warby and Miss Amy Warby at Billenbah Station. After the murder Reg Clare panicked and ran to a neighbouring property where he reported what had happened to Miss Jessie Bornhalt. Jessie drove Clare by sulky to Whitton where they informed Constable Mullins. Jessie later gave evidence at the murder inquest, recounting what Clare had confessed to her on the journey into town. Jessie was later the inspiration for the Bryce Courtenay novel “Jessica” although the story varies considerably.

28 Leeton Vistor’s Information Centre would like to thank the following for supplying many of the photos used:

Leeton Family & Local History Society Inc.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation

Whitton Court House and Historical Museum Copyright: Leeton Shire Council 2014 Compiled by Leeton Shire Council in conjunction with the Heritage Committee and the Leeton Family & Local History Society. Published by Specialty Press, Albury. Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the details appearing in this publication are correct at the time of printing. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for inaccuracy.