History & Heritage

When local historians wrote about the Kyogle region, they seemed to feel the power and presence held by nature here. “Much of this history is indeed a chant, a song of slow change documented only by the rocks, the trees and the legends of the first Aborigines,” one wrote, and while the area has changed, that sentiment still rings true. Kyogle is derived from the local Aboriginal word ‘Kaiou gal’ meaning ‘the place of the plain or bush turkey’, and was cared for by the Banjalang, Githabul, Gullibul and Wahlubal people, whose strong culture continues in the region. European settlement took place in the late 1820s, and by 1843 seven cattle stations had leased the entire Upper Richmond, including the area around Kyogle, then known as Fairymount. Timber getters made serious inroads into the region’s resources from the 1860s. Stands of red cedar, which had attracted settlers at first, were all but stripped bare by the 1890s. An economic downturn in 1893 resulted in a fall in the value of the timber and vast quantities of the cut logs were abandoned. The Free Selection Bill, introduced by the NSW government in the 1860s, resulted in the subdivision of the large stations into farm selections and before long, there were 551 farms in the district, the great majority of them dairy farms. An organised dairying industry began with the building of a creamery and, in 1905, Kyogle’s first butter factory. All this activity gave the small but thriving community a new status. In 1901 the name Kyogle appeared on official maps for the first time. In the same year a census recorded a population of 51. Ten years later the population had increased to over 1,200 and the Kyogle district had become the North Coast’s most rapidly growing community. Advances in transport and infrastructure, spurred by the demands of dairy farmers for better market access for their products, included the construction of roads and bridges. In 1910 the railway came to Kyogle, providing a greater boost for the district’s commercial potential. However, widespread social and economic changes during the post-war decades had their impact on this region. The earlier symbols of rural wealth — butter factories and timber mills — gradually closed as the reasons for their existence dwindled. In 1950, when dairying was said to be at its peak, more than 520 dairies were functioning in the Kyogle district. By the late 1970s only 118 remained. Today there are fewer still. Despite this decline, dairying and timber products are still regarded as the economic mainstays.

AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION, MAPS, STORIES AND MEMORABILIA The Historical Museum holds a detailed history of Kyogle and District dating back to the pre-1900s. It features an extensive pictorial collection, maps, stories and items of memorabilia illustrates the path of the early selectors and settlers. Whether they were farmers, timber getters, railway workers or town’s business people, their story is told here. The museum is situated in lovely new premises in Bloore Street, next door to the library, and is managed by the volunteer members from the Kyogle and District Historical Society. Many parts of other historical buildings around Kyogle have been used in the new building. Opening times are Saturdays from 9am to 1pm and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm. Bus groups and others can ring and make appointments for outside these times. Members and non members may use the museum to do research during opening hours.

ADDRESS: 19 Bloore Street, Kyogle PHONE: 02 6632 1672

Many towns have stories behind their unique buildings, parks and community spaces; Kyogle is one of those towns. Stop in at the Malcolm Wallis Visitor Information Centre and pick up your copy of the self-guided ‘Foundation Stone Detective Tour’. This tour will take you to eight sections of the Kyogle township and, if your eyes are sharp enough, you will find a collection of 23 marble and brass plaques, foundation stones and dedication plates that have been placed around the town over the decades, and be able to answer all the questions on the back of the tour map. This is a great activity for kids and for those keen on a good walk around the town.

START AT: Malcolm Wallis Visitor Information Centre, corner of Summerland Way & Anzac Drive PHONE: 02 6632 2700