Celebrating 100 years
One hundred years of farming in the Nyngan district is celebrated with the presentation of a plaque from the Australian Century Farm and Station Awards to the Wye family by the Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Wye family’s connection to the 5,500 acre Soldier Settler block, Yetambah, began in 1917, with the return from WW1 service by Sydney Wye, who was wounded at Anzac Cove on April 25, 1915.
I welcomed the opportunity to meet Sydney Wye’s son Gordon and his wife Nancy and the current owner and manager of Yetambah, Jon and Monique Wye in his Dubbo Electorate Office.
Stories like this one are such a fabulous part of our history. The amount of work to establish a property like Yetambah, south of Nyngan, from “scratch” in that era was amazing.
Australian Century Farm and Station Awards National Coordinator Nanette Aitken-McDonald said Century Farms is a unique program, collecting and preserving stories of farmers and station holders who have worked their land for 100 years or more.
She said Century Farms is a project established in New York State in 1937 by farmers to preserve the cultural significance of farming and agriculture to city dwellers. Visit www.centuryfarms.org.au
Lives set to be saved
Residents of Binnaway have received a major road safety boost with the Coalition Government set to invest $400,000 on Warrumbungles Way under the 2018-19 Black Spot Programme.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our roads is a key focus of his role as infrastructure minister.
“Accidents on our roads cost Australians approximately $30 billion per year – let alone the pain borne by families and friends who have lost loved ones,” Mr McCormack said.
“On average, Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent, making it one of the most effective road safety measures the Australian Government has at its disposal.
“The Coalition Government has extended the Black Spot Programme and is providing $60 million per year from 2021-22 onwards, building on the current $684.5 million investment from 2013-14 to 2020-21.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said input from the Binnaway community has been essential in identifying key road upgrades that will save lives.
Road accidents place a major burden on our region. It impacts on our emergency services, it impacts our daily travel, and most importantly, it places incredible strain on friends and families
Through this funding allocation a section of Warrumbungles Way, West of Kurrajong Road at Binnaway, will undergo shoulder improvements including the installation of w-beam barrier.
None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input, and I’d encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds. Visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/.
Restore the Soil
A new report into the importance of soil to Australia’s farmers and food supply has been released. Australia’s National Soils Advocate Major-General the Hon Michael Jeffery this week released the report Restore the Soil: Prosper the Nation.
Farmers depend hugely on the health of their soil. Soil is as important as air and water to farm productivity.
Without healthy soil the Australian economy and food supply would be at huge risk because our farm sector would falter. Healthy soils are key to achieving the ambitious target of growing agriculture to a $100 billion industry by 2030. The report is available at: http://bit.ly/2Gi9Nvp