Placement site information
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Berrigan
Quiet traditional rural country town
Located 690 km south-west of Sydney via the Hume and Riverina highways and 119 m above sea level, Berrigan is a traditional small country town with a population of around 1,000.
The first whites in the vicinity were small farmers who settled in the 1870s on land subdivided from the larger 'Barooga' and 'Boomanooma' stations which stretched from the Murray River up to the area of the present township (see Barooga). Wool and wheat were early staples.
The township grew up around the Berrigan Hotel, which opened in 1888 and is now closed as a hotel, but is used as a private residence. A commercial and service centre for the local farmers the village was proclaimed in 1890. The railway arrived in 1896 but, like many small towns, the railway no longer exists. Although not the largest population centre it was declared the principal town of the newly declared shire in 1906, which took the town's name. Berrigan shire also incorporates Tocumwal, Barooga and Finley.
The population peaked in 1911 with over 1000 people but numbers fell in the depression. They climbed back in the postwar years due, in part, to the construction of the Berriquin Irrigation Scheme which ended the ever-present uncertainty fostered by the prospect of drought and the reliance upon canals and bores. Mulwala Canal was dug between 1935 and 1942 from Lake Mulwala to Berrigan Shire. This led to the development of cattle, sheep and cereal production (rice, wheat, sorghum, oats, legumes and high-quality malting barley), pigs, dairying, citrus fruit, tomatoes, potatoes and grapes.
The town has an 18 hole golf course, bowling greens, tennis courts and a squash court. The annual A&H Show is held early in October.
About halfway along the road from Berrigan to Barooga is 'The Drop', where the Mulwala Canal crosses the road. There is a parking area to the right. This is part of a large water-flow control system which allows water to divert from Mulwala Canal into Berrigan Channel and is worth a look.
Other links:
http://walkabout.com.au/locations/NSWBerrigan.shtml
Past student completed and suggested project topics:
I would suggest getting extra visits to the various types of farms in the area. We did and learnt a great deal about the hardships of rural life from these.
Problems with aged care in rural settings.
Acute care training and management in rural settings
GP, GP, GP – You’re a fool not to go! Mental Health is great as is.
The primary school talks are great
Past student comments/suggestions
I think that Tracy did a fantastic job of organizing our timetable. It had just the right balance of everything with extra time to do our own things
We were part of community. There were many great activities.
Host families were fantastic
Accommodation was excellent!
The manner of the GP is highly commendable. I only wish that his approach to teaching could be utilized by more doctors. Everyone has bee very friendly and hospitable. I’ve had an excellent time here.