Booligal, a charming rural town, offers a glimpse into the heart of the Australian outback. Known for its connection to Banjo Paterson's famous poem ‘Hay, Hell and Booligal’, the town is a popular destination for travellers seeking a peaceful escape. It is located on the Cobb Highway, on the Lachlan River north of Hay. Booligal is a part of Hay Shire local government area.The local community enjoys a range of recreational activities, including cricket and yoga, while the annual Sheep Races bring excitement to the town. Booligal is described by “Aussie Towns” as ‘a pub, a few houses, a playing field and a memorial to explorer John Oxley’, which doesn’t quite describe the relaxing feeling you get when staying.Whether you’re deciding to pitch a tent, park the van or stay the night, Booligal is the escape that anyone can enjoy. The Booligal Hotel provides travellers with meals, ice cold drinks, postal agency, groceries and accommodation.

Hay is a country town of 3000 people, situated in the middle of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The present site of Hay was located at the junction of four large 'squatter' properties, one of which was occupied by the Lang Brothers where an important river crossing was located. Stockmen would frequently camp at the site before crossing the river with their stock and even now the area is known as Langs Crossing. Hay was later renamed after Sir John Hay, a local squatter and politician. Explore the town's historic buildings and learn about its fascinating past. With free self-guided tours of The Dunera Railway station, Old Hay Gaol, Shear outback Hall of Fame and walk the Bushy Bend Heritage Trail. A brisk walk up the Main Street of Hay (Lachlan Street) will highlight historic interests such as The Post Office, Witcombe Fountain, Hay Japps Pharmacy, Westpac Bank, and the Sunbeam and Co Coach. Experience the serene beauty of the Murrumbidgee River, popular for fishing, boating, swimming and camping. Hay offers both Free and Powered camping sites. As well as a free local pool and splash park to keep the whole family beaming. Hay offers a unique and unforgettable family experience. By visiting this outback town, you can truly connect with the heart of the Riverina.

The Hay War Memorial High School Museum commemorates both Hay and district war service and the history of the school in this unique war memorial which has served the Hay community since 1923.The Hay War Memorial High School was opened on Anzac Day in 1923 as the town's war memorial built to honour those volunteers who lost their lives while on active service during World War I. Of the 641 who served in World War I, 103 did not return. This impacted greatly on the Hay and district community, which had one of the highest enlistment rates for a small town in Australia.Honour rolls hang in the school hall and stone tablets listing those who died in World War I flank the entrance to the school. In the original school hall is a collection which tells stories both of Hay’s war service, from the First World War to engagements in which Hay servicemen and women currently serve, and of the history of the school.Within the halls of Hay War Memorial High School lies a unique museum that commemorates Hay’s military past, as current students pass by on their way to classes.The mission of the school museum is twofold. It aims to preserve the history of the school and to tell stories of Hay and District war service.The museum began as archives in the early 1980s when a school history was being compiled to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the school. The small collection was housed in the school library in archive boxes. It was mainly paper objects and photographs.In 1983 the Ex-Students donated a display case so that school blazers, school badges and other memorabilia could be displayed. Gradually other objects have been found in the school and donated by the community. There have always been honour boards, sporting shields and cups, photographs and memorabilia displayed in the library and the school hall.For the first few years its focus was the school’s history. Local resources for the study of the impact of World War II on the community were sought and reproduced in the mid-1980s as part of a Country Area Program project. In the mid-1990s the seeds for a museum were sown. The school hall and its surrounding corridors became the museum.At the 75th anniversary celebrations for the school in 1998 several important donations were made and community interest was kindled. In 2003 the Spirit of Anzac centre was built which meant that the original hall, where the museum is now, was no longer to be used for school assemblies etc., and could now be used as the dedicated museum space. Objects not on display are stored in an archives room in the library.In 2023 the school and community celebrated the centenary of the opening, on ANZAC Day.The museum and its collection is the property of NSW Department of Education.Hay War Memorial High School Museum216 Pine Street, Hay NSW 2711Entry: $3Open: Monday – Friday during school terms 9am – 4pm

Hay’s many heritage buildings reveal the ingenuity of early pioneering architects attempting to tame a harsh outback.Located on the corner of Roset Street and the Sturt Highway at 351 Moama Street, is the iconic and eye-catching Bishop's Lodge Historic House which was the residence of the first Anglican bishop of the Riverina.Award-winning and nationally significant, the lodge and kitchen blocks have 24 rooms in total. Image: Back Country Bulletin.The house is 115 square feet, with 45 squares taken up by the veranda and 14.5 squares for the kitchen. Used as a hostel for school boys in the 1930s, Bishop's Lodge shares its unique history and serene atmosphere with travellers and locals alike.A popular venue for weddings and community events, the historic house and garden are maintained by a dedicated group of community volunteers and Hay Shire Council. Open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and Saturdays 9 -12 noon. Bishop’s Lodge offers self-guided tours through the house with a remote entry.HistoryWhen the Diocese of the Riverine was formed, the Right Reverend Sydney Linton was appointed in England, and began the trek over water to Australia. In tow was his wife, five children, nurse and governess in January 1885.They first rented Czar Lodge, a home built in 1897 for Mr H.L. Lindsay who owned the Red Lion Brewery, which was next to his house. Bishop Linton was very impressed with the design of the Czar Lodge, and Bishop’s Lodge was created with many of the same features. Sawdust insulation, rigged gapping, window screens, ventilated ceiling roses and good under-floor ventilation were introduced to counteract the harsh summer heat. The house was built of iron fabric with diagonal bracing timbers to offset the clay soil. Bishop Linton boasted that the temperature in the house never rose above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.CostWhen Bishop’s Lodge was built in 1888-89 it was at a cost of over six thousand pounds. Bishop Linton was the only one of the three Bishops who had independent wealth. Two thousand pounds of the cost of the building was paid by Bishop Linton and his father Canon Linton. Bishops were responsible for the maintenance of the building and associated costs, and to pay the interest on the remaining sum until the debt was cleared thirty years later, in 1918.The gardener ArrivesBishop Linton was 53 when he passed in 1894.The next year heralded the arrival of avid gardener, Bishop Ernest Anderson, his wife Amelia and their six children. Amelia sadly passed in 1917 and is buried in Hay.Bishop Anderson, remained in the residence until 1925, when he retired and moved to New Zealand. When Bishop Anderson made it known he intended to retire, the Diocesan council began enquiries into selling the building, but it was not successful.Bishop HalseBishop Halse was the third Bishop for the Diocese.During Bishop Halse’s tenure the lodge was used for a hostel for boys attending Hay War Memorial High School.From 1935 to 1946 it accommodated at any one time, two dozen boys and attendant staff.Most of the boys slept along the western veranda which had been gauzed in for this purpose. In 1946 the church sold Bishop’s Lodge. The fourth bishop, Murray did not want to live in the house and found housing in Hay township more suitable.Two couples Greek couples, Mr Nick Panaretto and his sister Mrs Harry Carides, with their respective spouses, decided to buy the house, and lived there four decades, making minimal changes to the building. Many original finishes remained when the Hay Shire Council purchased the building in 1985.Since then, a group of hardworking and faithful volunteers came together to ensure the Lodge and its gardens are maintained.MuseumThe small but significant collection of items in the museum is based around the families who lived there. There are letters to Mary Anderson from her father, Bishop Anderson and letters and cards from her brothers, Sleeman and Ralph sent during active service in World War I.Hugh Linton’s dental tools. Hugh Linton was a relative of the first bishop, Linton, who returned from England to the Riverina in 1910.Linton worked with Bishop Anderson, and ministered to many.RosesEach year, a trusty and loyal band of volunteers sharpen their secateurs to keep the Bishop’s Lodge heritage roses in their glory. The enclosed rose garden has a rose-covered archway over the central path leading towards the little wooden summer house.Another striking aspect of the Bishop’s Lodge Garden is the heritage roses.There are 18 varieties of roses which are unique to Bishop’s Lodge; a mix of hybrid perpetuals, teas, and hybrid teas.The second Bishop, Ernest Anderson was a prolific rose aficionado and it is strongly believed he introduced them to the garden. They bloom in an enclosed area named the hidden garden and along the northern border in front of the house. Each rose has the preface Bishop’s Lodge (B.L.) attached to its name. The roses are named for people who were associated with the Lodge or the area.ContactPhone: 02 6993 1727. Facebook: bishops lodge. Email: [email protected] Website: bishopslodgehay.comColleen Houston is one of the dedicated Hay locals who helps prune the heritage roses at Bishops Lodge in Hay every year. Image: Back Country Bulletin.This article was written with assistance from The Ringer Tales of Hay and Western Riverina by The Hay Historical Society, and Bishop’s Lodge – Hay New South Wales Australia by The Bishop’s Lodge Management Committee.

Educational opportunities have never been better in this day and age. However, some things just cannot be taught in a clinical classroom, or online. A group of concerned locals from Hay who were involved in the agricultural industry, came together out of need. They realised the next generation of ‘bushies,’ as they call them, were losing the opportunity to learn the hands-on skills and knowledge needed to forge a career in agriculture. There are so many people involved in Hay Inc.’s inception and keeping the program going.Richard Cannon is the current Chairperson. Chris Bowman is Past Chairperson.Sandra Ireson is Secretary-Treasurer and Program Manager, Robert Gibson is the Vice ChairpersonJanine Bryant is Assistant Secretary, Markeeta Gibson.Other Volunteer Trainers are Ed McFarland, Geoff McDougal, Les Lewis, Rob Lindon Keith Bolitho, Susan Hanna, Geoff Duddy, Jacqui Crawford, Scott Dixon, Sophie Hemley, Cameron Clark, Scott Hanaford, Jim Walsh, and Tanisha Shields.Meet the team:Richard Cannon is the chairperson. Richard owns and operates a grazing and irrigation property located 12 km south of Hay, incorporating a full blood Wagyu seed stock herd, a commercial Angus herd, a commercial Merino sheep flock, as well as irrigated cotton and cereal production.Richard believes the hands-on type of education investment in young people through initiatives such as Hay Inc is fundamental for the future of agriculture and its perception and sustainability.Rob Gibson is Vice ChairpersonMr. Gibson owns and operates a large-scale grazing and irrigation enterprise to the North Hay in NSW covering an area of 70000 acres with his wife and two children. Robert brings 30 years of livestock and farming experience to Hay Inc and was trained through the “jackaroo system” on farms in Queensland and a sheep stud near Coleambally. Robert is passionate about wool and regularly takes Hay Inc participants and graduates on farm to extend and consolidate their learning whilst being mentored. Robert is also a qualified and experienced wool classer.Chris Bowman is the past chairperson. Chris is an independent, professional sheep classer and merino breeding specialist. He has mentored generations of young people entering the agricultural industry, and has managed prolific properties in the district.Sandra Ireson Secretary/Treasurer and Program Manager. Sandra owns and operates a beef cattle and sheep enterprise near Booligal on the lower Lachlan River North of Hay, with her husband and adult children. She is also a member of the Tocal College Advisory Council, Isolated Children Parents Association, Murrumbidgee Landcare Steering Committee and a Producer member on Southern Australia Livestock Research Council for Central & Western NSW including Queensland Sheep. Sandra was awarded 2017 NSW/ACT Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award Winner which she used to build on the success of the Hay Inc. by developing Engage AG, an adaptable model of the program, to promote the initiative to other rural communities, creating opportunities for careers in agriculture. She has been a major driver of community events in the Hay region combining agriculture, tourism and education – with one of her successes being instigating and coordinating the Booligal Sheep Races. Sandra is also passionate about creating leadership and networking opportunities for women. Sandy SymonsSandy is a fencing contractor and has lived and worked around the Hay and Hillston district all his life. With the other members of the Hay Inc Board Sandy could see a need for a hands-on rural education training program that would fill the gap left by the demise of the Jackeroo system. The satisfaction of teaching the students these skills is what motivates Sandy and the other instructors to keep the course going.Matt IresonMatt owns and operates a predominately beef cattle and sheep enterprise near Booligal on the Lower Lachlan River North of Hay, with his wife and three children. He is a 5th generation farmer in the district. He has been involved in the local community as Rugby player and coach, Junior Rugby League Coach, and active after school’s sport coach. Along with many positions on local community groups including President of the Booligal School Parents & Citizens Association and Booligal Sheep Races. Matt is currently the Coach of the Hay Cutters Rugby men’s 1st XV.Markeeta GibsonMrs. Gibson owns a law firm and operates a large-scale grazing and irrigation enterprise at Hay in NSW with her husband and two children. Mrs Gibson is currently a NSW practising Solicitor, Past Board Member of the NSW Rural Assistance Authority and was Chair of its Audit & Risk Committee. She previously held positions as Chair of MI Holdings Pty Limited, a Non-Executive Director of Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd and was a member of its Audit Committee.She is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has extensive experience with rural succession planning, rural, commercial and residential property transfers, as well as trading water entitlements and water allocations.Bill RyanBill operates Curragh, a grazing operation 120km North West of Hay, where the main focus is a self replacing poll merino flock, incorporating a ram breeding enterprise for own use and also sale rams to a base of clients. Beef cattle are run on the property in season. Bill has always been passionate about the agricultural industry and enjoys the challenges that it brings. He believes that there are many opportunities in the rural sector and is encouraged to see young people wanting to learn more about the industry and believes Hay Inc. is a great foundation for learning in a hands-on environment.Jim IvesJim is located at “Glencoe”, South East of Hay operating an Angus breeding herd turning off grass Fed animals to the growing grass assured market or feeder steers. Jim along with wife Jane are committed to Regenerative Agriculture. They have been running Glencoe Holistically for a number of years and are striving to increase biodiversity and resilience into their business. Jim joined Hay Inc in 2020 helping with the Cattle handling/education and grazing management workshop.Peter McCrabbPeter with his wife Lisa own and run North Bundy a 12500-hectare sheep station near Hay. Peter and Lisa have three children, two of which are employed in the agriculture. He has studied Farm Management through TOCAL. In 1997 Peter and Lisa started North Bundy Pastoral Company. Peter has spent time on the NSW Farmers Wool Committee, he is currently in his 20th year as a Local Government Councillor on Edward River Council, he is a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Peter has a passion for the sheep and wool industry and for getting young people involved in agriculture.They came together to actively create a solution to a need; to provide hands on and relevant training to younger generations to keep them in the agricultural sector.And thus, Hay Inc was formed, and those involved in its inception may not have even realised what a groundbreaking creation they had. The Hay Inc training program is a series of short courses of practical training, on rural properties throughout the Hay district. These are delivered by qualified trainers and experts who have extensive experience in primary production.The training is three blocks over five days. Lodging and some meals are provided during these training blocks. Block one takes place first week of February, block two happens the second week of March, and the final training block three is in the third week in June after the long weekend. The final training day concludes with graduation at the Hay Merino Sheep Show. Participants are presented with a participation certificate, and a statement of attainment listing the training modules completed. Certificates are also presented for the accredited training provided by Tocal Agriculture College and TAFE.Participants are offered an opportunity for work placement on farms in the district to cement their learning and provide hands on opportunities.Drawing on the skills it takes to keep a farm in the black, Hay Inc keeps the prices down as low as they can. Various organisations donate time, accommodation, resources and farms on which to train. Hay Inc also pursues funding from various grants to minimise costs to employers and applicants.Expressions of interest are taken all year.The application process begins in August for the following years intake.The program was the first informal community-based program of its kind in Australia. The committee has since released Engage Ag, which is a comprehensive 20-page publication giving other interested communities detailed assistance on how to implement the same kind of programs in their community.“I was getting many phone calls and people contacting, asking how they could implement a program such as Hay Inc in their district,” program manager Sandra Ireson told The Riverine Grazier.“In 2017, I received the National Rural Women’s Coalition and Network Award, and utilised that to create Engage Ag. We all are in this for the same reasons, to keep the agricultural sector alive and to share knowledge. “Since Hay Inc has been implemented, the model has been replicated in many areas, first in Emerald Queensland, and now in South Australia, Gippsland and other areas.”Sandra said communities are looking for their own solutions as Agricultural Colleges are being closed by the government. “A couple of students have grown up in cities and are keen to have a career in agriculture,” program manager Sandra Ireson told The Riverine Grazier.“Some are studying Rural Science and Agriculture at University and are developing their practical skills; some are on family farms and are keen to broaden their networks and learn new ideas.“All are eager to learn from the experience Hay Inc Rural Education Program Trainers who have many years of knowledge to share.”Since 2013, 130 young people have graduated from the unique hands-on program and the organisation won the Ambassador Award at the 2023 Hay Business Excellence Awards.Hay Inc has also created an Alumni Program, to ensure graduates stay connected.“We have been open for 10 years now, and have 145 alumni to date,” said Sandra.“The beauty of the program is we don’t just interact and deliver the program, and then never see students again. In this industry mentoring and networking are important, and relationships are beneficial in maintaining our goal and impression on students.”The reviews of Hay Inc are glowing, with specificity as to why the program has enriched participant knowledge and prospects in the agricultural sector. Sandra and Hay Inc are pleased the program is cropping up across the country, as Hay Inc only takes 15 applicants a year due to time and other constraints.Hay Inc alumni have gone onto work at prestigious farms, and have been armed with the skills to achieve their career dreams.

Magnificent tributes to Hay’s servicemen and women line the banks of Sandy Point Beach amongst the backdrop of Red River Gums and breathtaking natural beauty of the Murrumbidgee River. Emerging from the flat plains, two water towers, set back from the main street and still holding the towns filtered water supply have the visages of five servicemen and women, all somehow connected to the area. The colour slashes selected by the artist connect the two sides by wrapping around the cylinder and splashing across both towers for one cohesive artwork.Lieutenant Lorna Margaret Whyte, Private Victor George Murray, Corporal Clifford Leslie Farlow, Private William 'George' Cannon and Private Norman Charles Flack are the subjects of the murals, and are now set to the metal canvas and commemorate Hay’s significant military history and memory for locals and visitors alike.Melbourne Artist Matt Adnate created the lasting memorial to the massive human contribution of the people of Hay in the World Wars.In July 2024 Matt took out the coveted Archibald Packing Room Award. Titled ‘Rhythms of heritage’, the portrait was created mostly with Adnate’s signature medium of spray paint and represents musician Baker Boy's journey as an artist, featuring a captivating reflection of Arnhem Land landscape in his eyes.The work was selected by the members of the Art Gallery’s Packing Room team who unpack and install the annual entries to the Archibald Prize competition. The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, preferably of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia.

Hay, New South Wales, is a small town basks in the golden glow of the outback summer sun. It is a community whose history is deeply intertwined with the iconic figure of the Australian shearer. Here, amidst the vast sheep stations and dusty plains, lies Shear Outback: a treasure trove dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of this vital industry.Shear Outback isn't just a museum; it's a multi-faceted experience that throws open the gates to the fascinating world of Australian sheep shearing. Step into the Australian Shearers' Hall of Fame and meet the legendary characters who have shaped this unique culture. Their stories, etched in photographs and memorabilia, paint a vivid picture of the shearer's life – a life of grit, camaraderie, and the rhythmic click of shears against sheep.Beyond the Hall of Fame, the Shear Outback Exhibition delves deeper into the industry's evolution. From the early days of hand shearing to the technological advancements of today, the exhibition showcases the tools, techniques, and challenges that have defined this practice. Interactive displays invite you to test your own shearing skills against the legendary Jackie Howe, the 19th-century champion known for his lightning-fast speed.But the heart of Shear Outback beats within the historic Murray Downs Woolshed. This authentic shearing shed, transported piece by piece to its new home, comes alive with daily demonstrations. Watch skilled shearers expertly handle sheep, their practiced movements a testament to years of honed skill. Listen to their commentary, rich with the lingo of the trade, as they explain the intricacies of shearing and the different wool types. Learn about the crucial role wool plays in the Australian economy and the sustainable practices being implemented to ensure its continued success.Beyond the shearing demonstrations, Shear Outback offers a chance to immerse yourself in the broader outback experience. Explore the Roundup Maze, a fun and challenging tribute to the mustering skills of stockmen. Wander through the Homestead Garden, a haven of native plants and a testament to the resilience of life in the arid landscape.No visit is complete without a stop at the Shear Outback Café. Refuel with a delicious meal or indulge in a slice of homemade cake, all while soaking in the atmosphere of this unique cultural hub. In the gift shop there is an array of woollen items to purchase, alongside tempting relishes and a wide collection of children’s books, showcasing country life. The range of handbags, wallets and delicate jewellery makes Shear Outback the perfect place to snap up a unique gift, or treat for yourself.Shear Outback is more than just a tourist attraction; it's a living tribute to the men and women who have built a nation on the back of sheep. It's a place to learn, be entertained, and gain a deeper appreciation for the iconic figure of the Australian shearer – a symbol of resilience, skill, and the enduring spirit of the outback.Visit Shear Outback’s website to learn more.