Rylstone, New South Wales

Rylstone
New South Wales

St Malachy's Church Rylstone
Rylstone
Coordinates 33°48′S 149°58′E / 33.800°S 149.967°E / -33.800; 149.967Coordinates: 33°48′S 149°58′E / 33.800°S 149.967°E / -33.800; 149.967
Population 615 (2006 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 2849
Elevation 582 m (1,909 ft)
Location
LGA(s) Mid-Western Regional Council
State electorate(s) Bathurst
Federal Division(s) Hunter
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
23.0 °C
73 °F		 8.3 °C
47 °F		 675 mm
26.6 in

Rylstone is a small town in New South Wales, Australia, in the Central Tablelands region within the Mid-Western Regional Council local government area. It is located on the Bylong Valley Way road route. At the 2006 census, Rylstone had a population of 615 people.[1]

Etymology

The name 'Rylstone' has no clear origin; however, several possible origins are promoted.[2]

A petition was sent to Governor Gipps asking for a village to be called Tong Bong to be established at the present site of Rylstone. Governor Gipps granted permission for the village to be surveyed but he insisted that the village be called Rylstone and not Tong Bong. There is no evidence of any connection between Governor Gipps and the English village of Rylstone.[2]

Early maps spell Rylstone as Rylestone.

Rylstone
Rylstone Street Map
Rylstone
Rylstone Bridge during construction in 1948

Exploration

Several early explorers and settler explorers travelled this area in the early 1800s; they include Samuel Marsden, Macquarie, Edward Cox, James Blackman Jr.,[3] Jamison, FitzGerald, John Nevell and James Vincent.[2] Several mountains in the area commemorate their journeys through the Glen Alice Valley and up the Turon River.[2] James Blackman jnr. explored a route from Bathurst to the Cudgegong River and present site of Rylstone in 1820.[4] Allan Cunningham, the botanist and explorer, on his first expedition to find a route from Bathurst to the Liverpool Plains noted in his diary in November 1822 being in the Tabrabucka area and on the second expedition 18 April 1823 passing through Dabee (now Rylstone).[5]

from Mount Coombermellon (locally known as Baldy) looking over Kandos and Rylstone

History

The district was originally known as Dabee (under various spellings). There are many contemporary newspaper references to the town being referred to as Ryalston in the period 1846 to mid-1850s[6] then referred to as Ryalstone during the late 1850s.[7] Rylstone town was laid out in 1846 by surveyor Davidson. By the 1850s Rylstone was becoming a well established town with post office, hotels, school, mills, and police lock-up. The Rylstone district was declared as a police district in 1854.[8] Rylstone was formally proclaimed a town on 20 March 1885.[2]

Railway

Rylstone Railway Station 2011
Rylstone Railway Station
Rylstone Railway Station Sign

On 9 June 1884 the railway was opened to Rylstone,[9] this changed the status of Rylstone village to that of a town. The railway yard included a goods shed, trucking yards, and turntable.[2] Henry Lawsons father helped build the timber railway station. The line was extended from Rylstone to Mudgee and this section was opened on 10 September 1884. Rylstone is located on the Wallerawang to Gwabegar branch line.

In April 1895 a railway telephone line was installed between Wallerawang and Mudgee with Rylstone as an intermediate telephone point. The telephone was an important safety feature on this railway due to the steep cliffs and tunnels that occur on both sides of Rylstone allowing quick and clear communication of problems.[10]

The railway line through Rylstone was closed on 2 March 1992 and remain closed for 8 years, the NSW Government spent $11 million to resleeper the track, repair bridges, and level crossings reopening the line on 2 September 2000, the line was again closed 7 years later on 30 June 2007, the line remains closed; however, there are plans to reopen the line for coal trains to operate between Cobbora Mine (near Dunedoo) and the Mount Piper Power Station and Wallerawang Power Station.[11][12]

Bridges

Four road bridges have spanned the Cudgegong River which flows through the town. The first bridge was a suspension bridge that was washed away by floods around 1867. This was followed by a second bridge of two spans built by a Mr Hayden soon after the flood. This second bridge was alongside the first bridge at the end of Hall Street. A third bridge built by Mr Eddy Fitzgerald replaced the second in 1890 and was a little further up the River. The fourth bridge, and the only one remaining, which is still used today was built in 1948 to line up with the Bylong Road. A railway bridge also spans the Cudgegong River approximately 100 metres upriver of the present road bridge. This apart from upgrading works, to add additional centre pillars, is the original structure built during the construction of the line.[2]

Hotels

By 1868 there were four Hotels, the Rylstone Hotel, Bridge View, Shamrock and the Globe.[2] The Rylstone and Globe Hotels remain in business. The Shamrock Hotel was located on the southern side of the railway bridge and was built by Michael Hayes in 1885 closing in 1890.[2]

Aboriginal history

The local indigenous Aboriginals were the Dabee tribe and they in turn were part of the broader Wiradjuri group of people. Some of the localities in the area are derivations of Aboriginal words.[2]

One of the last full blooded Aborigines of the Rylstone area was Peggy Lambert wife of Jimmy Lambert, she was buried in the Aboriginal section of the Rylstone Cemetery in June 1884.[14] Another local Aboriginal was Jimmy McDonald who was attached to the Rylstone Police station as a tracker.[2]

Early settlers and properties

[2]

  • Richard Fitzgerald 1771-1840 (of Dabee Station) - an Irish political prisoner who became an emancipist
  • Robert Fitzgerald 1807-1865
  • Edward Cox (of Rawdon Station)
  • Daniel Cox (of Balmoral, Nullo Mountain) - Daniel Cox sailed from England as a convict on 16 August 1830
  • John Nevell (of the property Carwell)
  • John Thompson 1796-1873 and son William Barber Thompson 1821-1889 (Davis Swamp Holding, later named Olinda)
  • Harry Thompson (of Warleigh to become Woodlands, near Nullo Mountain) no relation to the above Thompsons
  • Thomas Harris (of Loowee, property that later became Lue and Monivae)

Buildings and businesses

Early buildings were constructed of timber slabs and stringy bark, later wattle and daub became common. Plentiful sandstone in the area led to significant buildings being constructed of that material.[2]

The main commercial street, Louee Street, was originally an upper level and lower level street. In the 1930s the street was levelled and this created the high steps to the buildings on the high side of the road.[2]

Other events in Rylstone history

Rylstone
Bridge View Inn
  • 1849 - Post Office opened on 1 January 1849.[15]
  • 1853 - Wesleyan Chapel opened on Sunday 15 May 1853[16]
  • 1857 - laying of foundation stone for new church, St James Rylstone on 19 May 1857[17]
  • 1857 - The School opened in July 1857.[15]
  • 1875 - Rylstone and district population was approximately 300 persons[18]
  • 1880 - Telegraph Office was built and the Post Office relocated to this building[2]
  • 1894 - Gold discovered in Rylstone area, gold showing freely through reef, a gold rush results, 21 August 1894[19]
  • 1897 - A 70 oz gold nugget was found between Stony Pinch and Appletree Flat[20]
  • 1899 - Rylstone and other nearby towns promote themselves as a suitable site for the new Federal Capital[21][22][23]
  • 1903 - Coal was discovered for the first time by New Zealand mining company at Coomber (5 miles south of Rylstone)[24]
  • 1906 - A telephone line was opened between Rylstone and Mudgee, 1 February 1906[25]
  • 1907 - Iron and Steel manufacturing works proposed for Rylstone[26]
  • 1914 - A 50 line telephone switchboard was opened at Rylstone on 28 October[27][28]
  • 1915 - in April 1915 a new telephone line was constructed between Rylstone and Bylong[29]
  • 1915 - Tenders accepted for construction of a new hospital at Rylstone, ₤1723, 27 April 1915[30]
  • 1924 - A new direct telephone trunk line was built from Lithgow to Rylstone and on to Mudgee, prior to this date all calls to Sydney were connected via Switchboards at Rylstone, Mudgee, Bathurst then Sydney[31]
  • 1925 - The Rylstone school is destroyed by fire during school hours, no one is hurt, 6 August 1925[32]
  • 1925 - The Standard Portland Cement Company's Kandos Cement Works are under construction[33]
  • 1926 - An electrification scheme commenced for the towns of Rylstone and Kandos, power being supplied by the Kandos Cement Works, connection switched on in November 1926.[34][35]
  • 1926 - record rainfall of 1250 points (317mm) falling in a week (rain commencing 25 March 1926), washing out the Tong Bong crossing[36]
  • 1931 - Rich Shale Oil discovery at Rylstone[37]
  • 1935 - Hospital additions, new wing and nurses quarters were opened by Minister for Health on 3 August 1935, costing £1700[38]
  • 1938 - Discussions with NSW Government commenced on provided a water supply scheme for Rylstone.[39]
  • 1954 - A water supply dam was completed and pipes were installed to connect the town to running water[2]
  • 1960s - A sewage system was built and connected to houses and businesses in Rylstone[2]
  • 1981 - Saturday 30 May, the last Mudgee Mail train service ran through Rylstone around 4am, heading north to Gwabegar[40]
  • 1983 - The manual telephone switchboard closed in June, it was located in the Post and Telegraph Office[2]
  • 1992 - 2 March, the railway line from Kandos through Rylstone to Gulgong closed to rail traffic
  • 2000 - 2 September, The railway line from Kandos through Rylstone to Mudgee and Gulgong was reopened to train traffic
  • 2007 - 30 June, The railway line from Kandos to Gulgong was classified as 'service suspended' effectively closing the line to trains

Recent events

The Rylstone District was governed by a separate local government area known as the Rylstone Shire Council which was formed on 5 December 1906.[2] Prior to that the area was administered by the Department of Public Works.[2] In 2004 the New South Wales Government conducted an inquiry that found evidence of deteriorating finances as well as breaches of regulations in appointments and management of staff. It ruled all civic offices to be vacated and appointed an Administrator to manage Councils affairs.[41] The Council's relatively small area was ultimately amalgamated with the Mudgee Shire Council in March 2006 to become the Mid Western Regional Council.

Services

Government

Rylstone's newly renovated and extended small rural hospital known as a Multipurpose Service provides emergency services, acute and subacute medical inpatient services and low and high care residential aged care services. HealthOne Rylstone is collocated with the Multipurpose Service providing General Practitioner services.[42]

The town also has a police station where two officers are based, this station is under the control of the Mudgee Local Area Command, within the Western Region.

Rylstone Court House operates a Government Access Service (GAS) providing a range of transactions on behalf of various state government agencies[43]

Energy supply to Rylstone is provided by Integral Energy,[44] prior to this Turon County Council, and earlier Rylstone Shire Council provided the electricity infrastructure.[34]

Radio and television

A not for profit community radio station serves the Rylstone and Kandos area, KRR-FM broadcasts from Mount Coombermellon on frequency 98.7 MHz.[45] Real-FM/2MG from Mudgee is the licensed commercial area broadcaster, Real-FM rebroadcasts its signal into Rylstone and Kandos on 97.9 MHz.[46]

Television services are provided by the ABC, SBS, and commercial television broadcasting in the Central Tablelands and Central Western Slopes license area. The broadcasters in this license area are CBN10 (Prime Television), CTC63 (Southern Cross Television), WIN66 (WIN Television).[47] The transmitters are located on Mount Coombermellon32°52′19″S 149°59′25″E / 32.87194°S 149.99028°E / -32.87194; 149.99028. Due to the hilly terrain there are many terrestrial television reception black spots particularly to the north and east of Rylstone, these areas are within the Remote Central & Eastern Australia Broadcast Licence Area and the signal is received by satellite.[48]

Industry and agriculture

Rylstone is predominantly an agricultural community with wool, sheep, cattle, wine grapes, and olives, being among the main pursuits. Coal mining and cement production are also significant employers in the community with these works being located in the nearby town of Kandos.

Area attractions and recreation

Rylstone has retained its original character buildings from its beginnings, a few buildings of note are the Bridge View Inn, the Globe Hotel, the post office, the police station, the courthouse and the shire hall. The old town granary was built in the early 1840s.

Rylstone is a popular venue for ultralight aviation, gyrocopters, and paragliding enthusiasts. The Rylstone Airstrip is used for this activity.[50] The Airstrip was sold by the Mid Western Regional Council to a private individual who intends to keep the strip for aviation purposes.[51]

Tourism

Rylstone is becoming a popular destination for travellers on a new tourist route that has developed following the final sealing of the Bylong Valley Way. The sealing of the route was commenced in 1950 and only completed in April 2009. A large part of the Bylong Valley Way route lies between the Wollemi and Goulburn River National Parks, with majestic scenery and rich animal and bird life the route is becoming popular with weekend travellers. Business associations and local governments in the area are promoting the journey to develop the tourist potential.[52] With the completion of the work Rylstone has seen a steady increase in tourists visiting its cafes, pubs, and bed and breakfast establishments. A route is now available from Sydney through the Hunter Region and return to Sydney via Rylstone providing a tourist loop.[53][54]

Mining and exploration

The Rylstone area is rich in natural mineral resources including coal, it is located on the western coalfield which extends from near Lithgow to Rylstone. Rylstone is an undeveloped coal resource and one of the last to be exploited.[55] Charbon Coal Mine is a working mine approximately 10 km to the south of Rylstone. Large reserves of coal are known to exist, which is mostly thermal coal suitable for local coal-fired power stations. The NSW Minerals Department states that this resource will be allocated for developed in the short-term future.[56] Cement was produced at the nearby Kandos Cement Works using limestone and clay raw materials from a mine situated 5 km to the east of Kandos.[57] Recent explorations have revealed prospective deposits of rare earth elements, a company is proposing further analysis of these mineral deposits.[58]

District events

The Rylstone and District Agricultural Show happens late February each year. The RDAS was formed and the first show was held on 17 April 1937.[59] Prior to that, the Rylstone Horticultural Society formed 1 August 1892 ran shows, with the first show occurring 9 November 1892.[2]

The Rylstone Street Feast is a food and wine event that occurs each November. Rylstone main street is closed and tables and stalls are set up along the street. The event showcases the region's produce.[60]

Climate

Rylstone does not have a local weather station so the statistics are taken from the Mudgee weather station (approximately 42 km north west). Average temperatures range between 15 and 40 degrees Celsius in the summer (December - February) and -3 and 15 degrees Celsius in the winter (June–August). The average annual rainfall is 674.4 millimetres (26.55 in).[61]

Climate data for Rylstone (Mudgee)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 31.0
(87.8)		 30.2
(86.4)		 27.8
(82)		 23.3
(73.9)		 18.8
(65.8)		 15.2
(59.4)		 14.4
(57.9)		 16.0
(60.8)		 19.6
(67.3)		 23.4
(74.1)		 26.9
(80.4)		 29.8
(85.6)		 23.0
(73.4)
Average low °C (°F) 15.5
(59.9)		 15.4
(59.7)		 13.0
(55.4)		 8.5
(47.3)		 5.0
(41)		 2.6
(36.7)		 1.3
(34.3)		 2.3
(36.1)		 4.4
(39.9)		 7.6
(45.7)		 10.8
(51.4)		 13.7
(56.7)		 8.3
(46.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 68.0
(2.677)		 64.2
(2.528)		 50.3
(1.98)		 44.2
(1.74)		 49.3
(1.941)		 55.0
(2.165)		 53.2
(2.094)		 53.0
(2.087)		 51.5
(2.028)		 60.3
(2.374)		 61.0
(2.402)		 64.2
(2.528)		 674.4
(26.551)
Source: [61]

Access

Vehicle

Road/Rail

Air

See also

Nearby towns and villages

Related Wikipedia sites

Other Rylstone-related links

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Rylstone (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 William Staff (1999). A History of Rylstone. p. 260. ISBN 0-9588597-7-9.
  3. ↑ Diane Simmonds. "Early Settlement Pioneers". Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Kandos Rylstone History Pt1". Mudgee District Local History. 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  5. ↑ "Journey to the Pass". The Allan Cunningham Project. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  6. ↑ "Ryalston". Morning Chronicle. 11 April 1846. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "Ryalstone". Empire. Trove Australia. 25 May 1857. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  8. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13328925
  9. ↑ "Intercolonial News". The Brisbane Courier. 10 June 1884. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "DISTRICT NEWS.". The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW : 1894 - 1939). NSW: National Library of Australia. 3 April 1895. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  11. ↑ "Coal trains may be back on track". Mudgee Guardian. 18 September 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  12. ↑ "Slow train coming". Mudgee Guardian. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "The Wollemi Pine". Website. Hawkesbury Tourism. 2006. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  14. ↑ "The Wiradjuri Nation - Peggy & Jimmy Lambert". Mudgee District Local History. Mudgee History. 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  15. 1 2 "Rylstone & District Historical Society". Rylstone & District Historical Society. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  16. ↑ "From the Interior". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 May 1853. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  17. ↑ "St James new church". Sydney Morning Herald. 19 May 1857. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  18. ↑ "Rylstone, Cudgegong and Ilford". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 November 1875. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  19. ↑ "Gold in NSW". Adelaide Advertiser. 22 August 1894. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  20. ↑ "A Nice Nugget". Sydney Morning Herald. 30 April 1897. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  21. ↑ "Federal Capital League". Sydney Morning Herald. 18 May 1904. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  22. ↑ "The Federal Capital". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 November 1899. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  23. ↑ "Site of the Federal Capital". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 May 1900. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  24. ↑ "Discovery of Coal at Rylstone". Sydney Morning Herald. 2 November 1903. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  25. ↑ "Telephone to Rylstone.". Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 1 February 1906. p. 13. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  26. ↑ "Establishing Iron & Steel Industries at Rylstone". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 December 1907. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  27. ↑ "RYLSTONE TELEPHONE.". Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 7 November 1914. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  28. ↑ "TELEPHONES.". Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 6 August 1914. p. 26. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  29. ↑ "Rylstone - Bylong Telephone.". Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 29 April 1915. p. 30. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  30. ↑ "Tenders Accepted". Sydney Morning Herald. 27 April 1915. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  31. ↑ "TELEPHONE TRUNK LINES TO MUDGEE.". Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 4 February 1924. p. 8. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "Rylstone school destroyed by fire". Barrier Miner. 9 August 1925. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  33. ↑ "New Cement Works". Sydney Morning Herald. 31 August 1925. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  34. 1 2 "Rylstone Shire Lighting". Sydney Morning Herald. 12 March 1926. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  35. ↑ "News article". Canberra Times. 11 November 1926. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  36. ↑ "Record Fall at Rylstone". Sydney Morning Herald. 29 March 1926. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  37. ↑ "Shale Oil, rich discovery at Rylstone". Sydney Morning Herald. 11 August 1931. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  38. ↑ "Hospital additions". Sydney Morning Herald. 3 August 1935. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  39. ↑ "Public works at Rylstone". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 July 1938. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  40. ↑ Gulgong Writing Group (1984). Travelling down the Cudgegong. Dubbo: Macquarie Press. pp. 45 of 151.
  41. ↑ Department of Local Government (March 2004). "Rylstone Shire Council Public Inquiry Report". Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  42. ↑ Western NSW Local Health Network. "Rylstone District Hospital". NSW Department of Health. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  43. ↑ "Rylstone Court House". Locations of Local Courts. Department of Justice and Attorney General. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  44. ↑ "Our Area". Website. Integral Energy. 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  45. ↑ "Kandos Rylstone Radio". KRR FM. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  46. ↑ "Real FM Website". Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  47. ↑ "License Areas" (PDF). Australian Communication Management Authority, ACMA. March 2004. p. 9. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  48. ↑ "Remote Central and Eastern Television License Area Map" (PDF). MySatTV. 25 October 2005. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  49. ↑ "Things to see and do". Cudgegong Business Group. 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  50. ↑ "Paragliding". Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  51. ↑ "rylstone airfield sold but operating". Mudgee Guardian. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  52. ↑ "Bylong Valley Way, Australia". Road Traffic Technology.com. 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  53. ↑ "Bylong Valley Way now an important state road link". Mudgee Guardian. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  54. ↑ "Pave the Way". Mudgee Guardian. 15 December 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  55. ↑ "Mining in NSW". NSW Minerals Council. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  56. ↑ "Rylstone Coal Resource Assessment". 29 June 2000. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  57. ↑ "Limestone Mining". Cement Australia. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  58. ↑ "Rylstone Project". Strategic Elements. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  59. ↑ "Rylstone". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  60. ↑ "Rylstone Streetfeast". ABC Radio. 5 November 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  61. 1 2 "Summary statistics Mudgee (George Street)". Bureau of Meteorology.
  62. ↑ "CountryLink - Baradine to Sydney Timetable". State Rail Authority. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  63. ↑ "Website". Aeropelican Air Services. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  64. ↑ "Lieutenant W.V. Dowling". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  65. ↑ "Heroes of the Dardanelles". Sydney Morning Herald. 21 August 1915. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  66. ↑ "Alfred Robbins". 8 October 1915. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  67. ↑ "Anzac Officers died at Gallipoli". anzacs.org. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  68. ↑ Jack Pennell and Lola Phillips (2000). "Kandos Rylstone History WW1". Mudgee Local History Group. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
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