Yalgogrin North residents celebrated a unique piece of history when a new sign depicting the main street of Yalgogrin as it was in 1893 was unveiled. 116 years ago, during the gold mining boom, the population of Yalgogrin was around 3000 people. The original sign was handpainted by the late Reg Crowley and due to weather damage needed to be replaced with the new sign that is even more authentic to the original photograph of the main street. Current and ex-residents of the district attended the ceremony which also saw copies of the book about the district’s history entitled “A Goldfield of Memories” available for sale.

Berrigan

A $1.3million seismic survey is underway in the southern Riverina covering many districts including Berrigan, Deniliquin, Finley, Hay, Griffith, Jerilderie, Oaklands, Tocumwal, Urana and Whitton. The survey, funded by the NSW Government, will identify petroleum and geo-thermal resources in the area that could lead to opportunities for mining. This new gravity survey program will provide a better understanding of the geology of these areas with results known late this year. At the same time The Greens political party is trying to stop an expansion of mining in agricultural areas of southern NSW.

Hay

The rebuilding program at the Hay War Memorial High School is on schedule and will be finished by December this year. The school was badly damaged in a gas explosion in 2007. The three new buildings include a science facility, library and materials workshop and additional improvements at the school will provide students and staff with state-of-the-art facilities for 2010 and beyond. The War Memorial High School has a long history and is highly regarded by the Hay and district communities for providing quality education for students in the wider area.