| Historical notes: | STATEMENT OF COUNTRY
Temora is within Wiradjuri Country, which is the largest Aboriginal Country within NSW (AIATSIS). Within the Wiradjuri group, there are approximately 30 smaller clans. The name Wiradjuri means 'people of the three rivers', referring to the Wambuul (Macquarie), Galari (Lachlan), and Marrambidya (Murrumbidgee) rivers (GML, 2025).
Temora is known as Berrin Barrin, meaning 'the place of grey box trees.' The area was thought to have been a significant meeting place for the Wiradjuri people for ceremony. The rivers were culturally significant, and their surrounds provide evidence of ongoing cultural use, including modified trees, hearths, artefact deposits, grinding grooves and rock art sites.
ESTABLISHMENT OF TEMORA RUN
The interior regions of NSW were settled by Europeans from the early 1800s, with pastoral stations or 'runs' established, typically for cattle or sheep. These stations were often thousands of square kilometres and employed mounted stockmen to tend to the livestock across massive areas of land (State Library of New South Wales, n.d.). At this time, stations were often leased from the government to a stockmen, who was expected to have adequate knowledge and skills to maintain a large land holding. Temora Run was first established in 1847 and first leased by Valentine Lawler and John Donald McCansh on behalf of Bank of Australasia director Severus Canute Salting. By 1847 Temora Run was approximately 200,000 acres and stocked with up to 6000 sheep.
In 1869 gold was found at Temora and the goldfields opened, resulting in an influx of more than 20,000 people who flocked to the goldfields. In 1880 Temora was formally made a town following a rapid gold-rush induced population boom between 1869 and 1879. By 1881, half of NSW's gold had been found at Temora (Australian Geographic). Initially named Watsonforde after the colonial treasurer James Watson, it was renamed Temora. The town grew quickly and featured large hotels, stores, butchers, and all manner of other businesses required. The post- gold rush landscape of the town began to change from mining licenses to agriculture, predominantly for wheat. Befitting its new status as a major agricultural centre, the town featured mills, cattle yards, amongst the many other businesses and public buildings.
TEMORA RAILWAY STATION
As early as 1885 the Temora Progress Committee began petitioning the government to expand the railway line, banding together with neighbouring towns including Cootamundra and Junee.
In 1893 the railway line was expanded from Cootamundra through to Temora, constructed by a group of 600-700 men to completion in May. The opening was eagerly anticipated in the town, with a large stockpile of wheat established, waiting for transportation to Sydney.
In July 1893 tenders were sought for construction of the station buildings, awarded to Eaton Bros for the construction of passenger station, goods shed and station masters house for (Pounds)3301 15s. The line was officially opened on 12 September 1893 by the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Robert William Duff. The initial phase of station development included a timber and iron goods shed, two sidings, and the brick station building which held a waiting room, ladies room, and ticket and parcels office. The station building (1893) was constructed as a Type 4, third class standard roadside station building, constructed of brick and with a decorative cast iron verandah overhanging the platform. Additional facilities included a carriage dock and station masters cottage, with a 50ft engine turntable in the locomotive depot site, sheep and cattle yards (Cootamundra Herald). The impact of the railway station on the town's economy was felt instantly - over (Pounds)800 of wheat was able to be sold to buyers in Sydney and transported by rail in the first two weeks of opening.
At the turn of the century, additional lines were constructed to Wyalong, Barellan and Ariah Park, prompted new development at Temora Station. This included a carriage shed and grain shed which could hold up to 16,800 bags of grain at a time. Additional sheds were built in 1905, holding up to 30,000 bags of wheat, being again extended in 1907. In 1907, 202,000 bags of wheat from Temora were moved by rail to Sydney to subsequently be shipped to London. The Gillespie and Pardey's Roller Flour Mills siding opened in 1909, with the mills situated very close to railway station, facilitating easy transport.
In 1911, the sheds were emptied to allow for the expansion of the railway facilities, and to construct yards for shunting and loading wheat. Simultaneously, additional improvements were demanded, including upgrades to the station building and goods shed. The new wheat shed, which could hold up to 150,000 bags, was constructed, alongside a loop line, two new main lines, two new weighbridges, and a barracks for workers, comprising 12 rooms. In October 1912, new platform additions were built within the main station complex. A refreshment room for patrons was also constructed in 1912, followed by a type 3 timber signal box in 1915. By this time, Temora Station had established itself as a booming rail complex at the centre of NSW grain and wheat industry, and vital for passenger transport between the Riverina and the rest of NSW.
TEMORA ROUNDHOUSE AND LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT
The Temora Locomotive Depot (located to the south of the station) was established in the 1900s to meet the growing need for a depot in the region. The facility was used for the stabling and maintenance of steam locomotives, with typical works programs including replacement of wheels, axles, and shafts; repair and maintenance of boilers and engines; cleaning out the engines into de-ashing pits; and light ups, in which the engines were slowly lit, so they were heated up ready for movement (Temora Railway Station WordPress). Locomotives were also refilled with coal, sand and water and received general servicing. The locomotive depot likely serviced all trains running through the area and the Lake Cargelligo line.
The Temora Locomotive Depot was expanded in the inter-war period to recognise Temora's status as a major interchange and terminus. In 1903 a single-track engine shed, 15.24 diameter turntable, 90t coal stage and ashpit had been constructed (GML, 20). In 1912, two new coal stages were added and the 15.24m turntable was replaced with a large 18,28m turntable. Other additions included a 90kl tank and stand, store room, offices and drivers room, alongside a three track roundhouse. This replaced the 1903 engine shed. In 1918, the turntable was again replaced with what is referred to as the 'Newcastle' type (GML, 20). The bustling depot was operated by fitters, machinists, engineers, boilermakers and labourers whose vital maintenance work kept the trains running on time and in excellent condition.
Additional features, including roundhouse pits, sidings, excavated storage tanks, de-ashing pits, sand storage sheds, elevated tracks, and cranes were installed throughout the site between the 1920s and 1950s.
The second half of the 20th century saw the introduction of diesel trains, which led to the decommissioning and removal of many of the structures on the site. The arrival of diesel was signified with the erection of a 54kl oil tank for refuelling. Three of the nine roundhouse stalls were demolished in 1969, with the remaining structures demolished between 1990 and 1994.
CLOSURE AND SECOND LIFE AS COMMUNITY CENTRE
In 1986 the passenger services to Temora were discontinued, resulting in the closure of the station. While some private freight trains still use the line and parts of the station remain used for signalling, the station buildings sat vacant for 20 years until Temora Shire Council collaborated with Transport for NSW and John Holland Group to undertake an adaptive reuse project to create a community hub. Restoration and adaptive reuse repaired the station buildings and reconnected the station precinct to the town centre with landscaping. The former refreshment room and its kitchen have become a youth centre and multi-purpose community centre, while other spaces are commercial tenancies. The site also holds events and an interpretive walk has also been constructed.
The adaptive reuse project was awarded a National Trust award in 2016 (NSW Government, n.d.). While the station is disused, other than for the occasional heritage train, the rail line itself remains in operation for freight, with up to 5 freight trains a day of Riverina wheat, grain and canola passing through Temora. |