History & Heritage in Wandoan
Formally known as Juandah Wandoan’s past is captured with historical sites, sculptures, and war memorials. Check out the majestic windmill in O’Sullivan Park and walk through the Soldier Settler Scheme, “Avenue of Honour”.
Wandoan’s got history and heritage that belies its tiny population size. First up, the Juandah Historical Site – original site of the Juandah Head Station established in the late 1840s. Explore the Wandoan Heritage Stone, a sandstone with the history of the district depicted on its face. Then the Mick the Dog Sculpture, capturing the story of a loyal cattle dog who rescued his master. The Wandoan War Memorial honours the battles involving Australians.
Juandah Historical Site – located on Windeyer Road, is the original site of the Juandah Head Station established in the late 1840’s and is the heart of a settlement later known as Wandoan.
Wandoan Heritage Stone – located at the Community Cultural Centre on Henderson Road, is a huge piece of sandstone with the history of the district depicted on its face.
Mick the Dog Sculpture – located at O’Sullivan Park on Zupp Road, is a sculpture and mosaic that captures the story of a loyal cattle dog who rescued his master, Sid McCorry, on Juandah Station at the turn of the 19th century.
Wandoan Stone War Memorial – located at the Lions Park on Royd Street, a large stone memorial in recognition of all the ex-service men and women from the district.
Wandoan Soldier Settlers Avenue of Honour – located in O’Sullivan Park, 103 individual plaques commemorating each soldier settler family who were selected in a ballot between 1952 and 1954 to settle in Wandoan and given land to establish working farms.
Juandah Cemetery Reserve – located on Windeyer Road, just south of the Juandah Stock Yards. Local research has revealed four grave sites at this location dating back to the early pioneers.
Arnold Street Cemetery Reserve – located on Hamlyn Street, this cemetery contains the graves of some of the earliest pioneers including three marked graves and three unmarked. Those that are marked date back to the early 1900’s: Mr Walsh who died in 1920; a 3 month old infant named James who was the son of John Nipps, an Aboriginal Stockman from Juandah Station and Mr August Nelson, a railway worker who was struck by lightning in 1913.
Wandoan Soldier Settler Scheme of the 1950s was integral to the development of the Wandoan community, helping to shape its success as an agricultural centre and close-knit community.
To celebrate the rich history and significant contribution of the 103 families who came to Wandoan through the Soldier Settler Scheme, The Avenue of Honour has been created.
Soldier Settlers was the name given to honourably discharged soldiers who were selected in a ballot between 1952 and 1954 to settle in Wandoan and given land to establish working farms.
The ‘Avenue of Honour‘ lines the pathway within O’Sullivan Park and features over 100 individual plaques commemorating each soldier settler family.
