 |
The first Conargo Shire Councillors - 1907 |
About the Shire
OUR HISTORY
Conargo Shire was established in 1907 to cater for those with land holdings in an area bounded by
Berrigan, Jerilderie, Hay, Deniliquin, Windouran and Murray Shires.
The first President was Councillor R.O. Blackwood.
On the 1st July 2001 Windouran Shire was absorbed into Conargo Shire resulting in an additional
5090 square kilometres and another 387 residents. The new Shire now covers an area of
8829.36 square kilometres and has a population of 1806.
Quality soils, combined with supplies of water from the Billabong, Colombo, Yanco and Forrest Creeks
have enabled Conargo's landholders to diversify their agricltural pursuits and produce high yielding and
high priced commodities, making Conargo a wealthy shire in rural terms. It is home to several large holdings
renowned for their stud sheep, more particularly the Peppin Merino Bloodline developed by the Peppin Family
in te 1860's and continues to play a major role in sheep breeding activities.
In 1936 the government constructed the Berriquin Irrigation Area which serves 2300 farms through a gravitational
channel network. This scheme has been supplemented in recent years by deep bore irrigation, tapping into the
underground water of the Murray Darling artesian basin.
The bush tracks of yesteryear have been replaced by a network of all weather roads throughout the shire.
Community spirit is alive and well within the villages and surrounding areas throughout the Shire
These villages include:-
Blighty
Booroorban
Conargo
Pretty Pine
Wanganella
The shire in conjunction with South West Arts have produced a DVD of the Shire History
"100 Years of Yarns" which is now available from our office. Cost $15 each
This production is a wonderfully rich insight into the lives of very special individuals that have
helped shape the shire into the resilient and thriving collection of communities that it is today.
Brad Chalmers has also been very busy in compiling a book on the history of Conargo Shire.
"The Sunlit Plains Extended: a Centenary History of the Conargo Shire"
Copies of the book are available from our office. Cost $40 each
|
