BALRANALD

Balranald Shire is situated in the South West of New South Wales. Its main business centre, Balranald, is located on the Murrumbidgee River.

The name BALRANALD comes from Scotland. According to Webster, Bal (Celtic) means "an abode, township, a village" thus Balranald signifies an abode of Ranald" -or the Clan of Ranald. It is the oldest settlement on the lower Murrumbidgee with records dating from 1837.

A BRIEF EARLY HISTORY

Between 7/1/1803, when they left their depot near Maude, and 14/1/1830, when they "were launched into a broad and noble River, flowing from East to West at the rate of two and a half knots per hour" Captain Charles Sturt and his party became the first white men to pass the site of Balranald.

In 1836, Major Thomas Mitchell actually camped on the site of Balranald during his momentous trip following the Lachlan, Murrumbidgee and Murray rivers, then South through the country he described as "Australia Felix".

The first squatter was Benjamin Boyd of Boyd Town on the South Coast of NSW in 1942, who brought up Augustus Morris from Port Phillip to manage his various stations around  Balranald. The first squatter resident of the present town site was George Hobler, who came from Goulburn in 1845.

Other squatters followed, with their managers and other staff, and the convenient fording point was a natural place for them to meet and congregate. Some nomadic travellers, hawkers and shepherds put up primitive shelters and tarried here in the vicinity of the crossing.

In 1847/48 George James McDonald, the Commisioner for Crown Lands for the Lower Darling District, with his escort of police came to the embryo village, and set up their camp under canvas. It could be said that it was from the time of the arrival of McDonald with his police escort that the township of Balranald really came into being, and to steadily progress.

George James McDonald was a Scotsman who had been born in a small town named Balranald in the outer Herbrides, and perhaps it was natural for him to christen his adopted place of abode "Balranald".

On the 15th September, 1848 the first general store was opened, and the "Balranald Inn" was established in that year. The township of Balranald was gazetted on the 4th April, 1851, and the first land scale held on 14th January, 1852, when 35 lots were submitted to auction.

In 1853 the river steamboat trade commenced with the advent of Cadell's "Lady Augusta" and Randell's "Mary-Ann", and within a few years Balranald became an inland port. It appears that the first river steamer to arrive on the Murrumbidgee at Balranald was the "Mosquito" under Captain William Masson in 1858.

The third, and probably most famous, exploring party through Balranald was that of Burke and Wills, who crossed the Murrumbidgee by the Mayall Street Punt on 17th September, 1860, and camped overnight on the river bank in front of the Balranald Inn.

THE MODERN SHIRE

The population of Balranald is approximately 3000 with about half of those people living in Balranald. Other population centres in the Shire include Euston, Hatfield, Homebush, Clare, Oxley and Kyalite.

Balranald Shire covers an area of 21,418 square kilometres. The area around is generally flat with only slight undulations. Ground level is about 60m above sea level. The soil is mostly clay overlaid with a coarse red sandy loam, although areas of heavy black soil do exist.

Large areas of native and improved grasslands are interspersed with low tree growth called "Mallee" and other natural timbers, with a narrow band of Red Gum found mainly around Rivers.

Forming part of the boundaries of the Shire, the Rivers Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Wakool and Murray are situated in the south. There are a number of large permanent lakes within the Shire, the most noteable being Yanga Lake at Balranald and Lake Benanee near Euston. Other areas are periodically flooded.

The town of Balranald is the main service centre for the surrounding rural community. Grain growing, sheep and cattle producing, horticulture and viticulture are the main farming  activities of the Shire. Businesses catering for the tourist industry are playing an increasing part in the district's economy.

The climate provides for a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle and as with most Western areas, can be very hot at times. The average summer temperature is around 28 degrees which is quite pleasant as the area does not suffer from the humidity prevalent in coastal regions. Winters in Balranald Shire are usually mild cold nights and fine days.

The town of Balranald boasts many of the facilities normally associated with much larger centres:
 


Virtually all sports are catered for in Balranald and Greenham Park Sporting Complex in the centre of town is regarded as one of the finest in the South West. The complex offers facilities for Australian Rules Football, Soccer, Cricket, Rugby, Hockey, Basketball, Netball, tennis and Horseracing, whilst the smaller population centres have access to Recreation Reserves.

Balranald Golf and Sporting Club, which boasts 18 Grass Greens and an excellent course is adjacent to Greenham Park. Bowlers are also catered for with two greens at the Ex-Servicemen's Club, one at the Golf Club and one at the Euston Club.

Balranald Shire Council also provides a swimming complex, consisting of three pools, adjacent to Greenham Park. The Pony Club meets every second Sunday, whilst sailing, water skiing, fishing, canoeing and other water activities are catered for in the rivers and lakes in the Shire.

A wide range of community groups are active in the shire providing social and personal development activities for almost every number of the community. These groups include  Lions, Apex, CWA, Senior Citizens, Scouts, St John's Ambulance and more. Balranald has an excellent Arts & Crafts Centre and many local people participate in a range of activities and seminars presented at this Centre. Three churches operate in Balranald; Roman Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian.