According to their website, the Pastoralists’ Association of West Darling (PAWD) is an agri-political lobby organisation, looking after the special interest of its wool, sheep cattle and goat producing members living in the pastoral regions of the Western Division of New South Wales.

Established in 1907, the P.A.W.D. became a Union of Pastoral Employers, and was registered as such under the NSW Industrial Arbitration Act on 5 September 1923 and under the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act on October 29, 1926.

The Association will be holding its centenary in 2007.

The Association had its beginnings on the 29th of November, 1906. A meeting was held at the Australasia Chambers, King William Street, Adelaide.

This meeting was presided over by Mr Peter Waite, of what was then “the great Momba Station”, and also in attendance were:

Messrs John Lewis (Mundi Mundi Station,)

JH Luxmore (Mara Station)

TE Barr-Smith (Momba Station)

D Waite (Momba Station)

R Strachan Dalgety & Co LTD representing Morden and other stations

HW Hughes (Kinchega and Balaclava Stations)

FW Downer (Solicitor)

At this meeting it was resolved: “That the Western District of New South Wales form an association to be called the Pastoralists’ Association of West Darling."

Previous to this, pastoralists in the area were members of the Pastoralists’ Union of South Australia, which was formed on September 9, 1890 and at an extraordinary meeting on 13 April 1892 the name was changed to the Pastoralists’ Association of South Australia and West Darling.

Delegates at the 32nd Convention of the Graziers' Federal Council of Australia, held in Brisbane, April 1921. Back row (from left): Leslie Smith (Secretary, Pastoralists' Association of Victoria and Pastoralists' Union of Southern Riverina), Major N.W. Kater, M.D., (N.S.W.), A.J. McLachlan (Solicitor), C.S. Wood (Assist. Sec. Pastoralists' Association of West Darling), C.D.E. Francis (Qld), F.M. Ranson (Secretary, United Graziers' Association of Queensland), E.D.H. Virgo (Assistant Secretary, Stockowners' Association of South Australia), I.J. Warnes (South Australia), John Dunne (West Darling), O.E. Friend (N.S.W), L.J. Weatherly (Victoria). Second row: F. Wittenoom (West Australia), A.S. Austin (Southern Riverina), C.R. Murphy, Hon. A.H. Whittingham, M.L.C (Queensland, President of the Convention), A.E. Hamilton (South Australia), John Mackay (N.S.W.), H.M. Turner (Victoria). Front row: J.W. Allen (Secretary, Graziers' Association of N.S.W), P.A. Brown (Minute Secretary, Queensland), W. Muir (Assistant Secretary, Queensland). Mr R.H. Edkins, Queensland, was also a delegate but had to leave before the photo was taken. Image: State Library of South Australia.

The P.A.W.D. initiated the first meeting of the Western Division Conference in 1927. 

This body concerns itself with matters regarding the operation and governing of the Western Division of NSW and is made up of representatives from PAWD, NSW Farmers and Western Division Rural Lands Protection Boards.

The Barrier Miner newspaper reported on the 22nd annual meeting of PAWD in the May 17, 1929 edition:

"The 22nd annual general meeting of members of the Pastoralists' Association of West Darling was held at the Anchor Chambers on Tuesday, May 14.

There were present: Messrs. K. G Brougham, president (Yalcowinna), E. U Langford (K. Tank and Water Hag) A. A. Smith and T. B. Smith (Wilangee), W. L Foulis (Corona), E Andrews (Tandora), N. JJ. Colley (Redan), R B. Ranken (Tolarno), R. M Longmir0 (Boorungie and Glen Lvon), John Parker (Menartee), Alfred crossing (Culpaulin) A. Hindle (Quarry Hills), J. S. Williams (Heydon Downs), Geo. Jefferys (Munka), A. S Crossing (Tongo), J. Lidington (Peak Hill), Joseph Vigar (Charlemont). J. Vigar (Bygerkerno), H. Hughes (Eureka), J. Forth (Nine Mile), Jack Andrews (The Springs). J. JJ. Warren (Whurlie), R. Caskey (Byrnedale). G. A. Crossing. (Topar), W. A. Thomson (Grassmere), Arthur Crossing (Burta and Mount Murchison), R. C. Allison (Kars), S. Reid (Sir Sidney Kidman)."

President KG Brougham noted in his report that memberships continued to increase, and he was later returned as the head of the organisation in the annual elections.

Mr Brougham also referred to the newly instigated research fund.

"A most important undertaking instituted during the year was the inauguration of the Australian Pastoral Research Fund, and while it is regretted that the adverse season has mitigated against the complete success of this appeal, I sincerely trust that a return to normal conditions will ensure the successful realisation of the object aimed at, namely, the raising of a funding of £200,000 for "scientific research into the problems affecting the pastoral industry."

The meeting also discussed a central Australian government and the sucession of the Western Division as its own state.

"Mr. Stewart mentioned that he had been in the Western Division over 40 years ago, and taking conditions as they were at the present time there was no denying the fact that successive Governments had failed in their duty towards this portion of the State, which has suffered through Government

neglect," the Barrier Miner reported.

In 1957 the P.A.W.D. instigated the re-organizing of the Wild Dog Destruction Board in the format that it operates today. 

The Board that manages the maintenance of the dog proof fence is made up of pastoralists elected from various Western Division areas.

From 1960 the PAWD has been a member of the federal body of the Australian Woolgrowers’ and Graziers Association and entitled to one representative on the council. A Past President of the PAWD, Mr K.C. Connors, MBE was elected as Vice-President to that body in 1973.

With the Formation of the National Farmers Federation (NFF) in 1979 as a federal umbrella organization for all state rural organizations the PAWD did not have sufficient numbers to have direct representation with the NFF. An association was formed with the newly formed United Farmers and Stockowners of South Australia, now the South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF) thus giving the PAWD an avenue to the NFF on federal matters.

The discussion was made in 2008 that the reason for the association with SAFF no longer existed due to SAFF withdrawing its membership of the NFF hence this association with SAFF was suspended. 

The Pastoralists’ Association of West Darling has an alliance with the Western Division Council of NSW Farmers Association in relation to the Western Lands Act and Kangaroo Management the two associations have a continuing dialogue on common issues pertaining to the Western Division of NSW.