The iconic Toganmain Woolshed, a towering monument to Australia's pastoral heritage, will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a spectacular two-day event on June 14-15, 2025.

Located on the Sturt Highway between Carrathool and Darlington Point, this massive structure has witnessed more than seven million sheep being shorn since its completion in 1875.

Built during the height of Australia's wool boom, the woolshed stands as one of the largest remaining in the Riverina, measuring an impressive 240 feet long and 80 feet wide.

The celebration promises to transport visitors back to the golden age of Australian pastoralism with a special dinner served under lights on the main shearing board – the very floor where generations of shearers once worked.

The woolshed's history reads like an adventure novel. Established in 1867 by NSW's Colonial Secretary Sir Alexander Macleay as one of the region's first grazing properties, Toganmain Station once boasted an extraordinary 13 miles of river frontage and covered more than 300,000 acres by the 1890s.

In its heyday, the property was virtually a self-contained town, complete with its own general store, carpentry and blacksmith workshops, wool scour, storage warehouse, and medical centre.

"It's one of the four biggest sheds in the country as far as I am aware," says Murrumbidgee Councillor Christine Chirgwin, who has been instrumental in preserving the site.

"When you see it, you'll understand why we want to save it."

The station earned its place in Australian folklore when legendary poet Banjo Paterson immortalised it in his 1905 poem "Flash Jack from Gundagai," which opens with the memorable line: "I've shore at Burrabogie and I've shore at Toganmain."

But Toganmain's significance extends beyond literature – it became a focal point of violent union uprisings in the late 19th century that helped birth Australia's modern labour movement.

During the 1887 shearing season, disputes over pay rates erupted between unionists and non-unionists, with men who crossed the picket line being beaten and thrown in the river.

These events rippled across the nation, contributing to the formation of workers' rights movements that continue to influence Australian society today.

A remarkable record was set in September 1876 when 92 blade shearers shore 202,292 sheep in the massive shed. Wool was transported from the station by paddle steamer to Echuca, then by train to Melbourne, connecting this remote outpost to global markets.

The weekend celebration will feature live entertainment from Griffith band Stickie Fingers, market stalls offering food and local products, and guided tours with knowledgeable volunteers.

The highlight will be the launch of "Toganmain Woolshed: Then and Now" by author Lexie Keane, a 120-page tribute capturing the rich history through poems, diary entries, and memories from the workers who made the woolshed legendary.

Day passes are available for $20 per adult or $50 per family, with the woolshed open Saturday 9am until late and Sunday 9am to 5pm.

While the Saturday night dinner is fully booked, a waiting list is available for potential openings.

For more information and bookings, visit toganmain.org.au or contact organisers on 0467 544 724. This celebration offers a rare opportunity to step inside a piece of living Australian history and honor the legacy of those who built our nation's pastoral heritage.