The revival of the Girilambone Railway Station is steaming ahead, getting ready to reclaim its role of welcoming visitors to the area. 

Girilambone takes its name from an aboriginal word meaning ‘place of many stars’. It is the traditional land of the Wangaibon people and these days the small village 45 kilometres north of Nyngan has a population of around 107 people.

The Railway Station is at the centre of the village on the road to Bourke and were a faded and crumbling set of three buildings which were set to be demolished until Bogan Shire Council stepped in.

The NSW Governments Environment and Tourism Fund was created following a $300 million Investment to protect and enhance environmental and tourism assets that drew visitors to regional areas.

Following, an unsuccessful attempt to access funding in 2017, Bogan Shire Council were invited to submit a business case to the second round of grant funding under the Environment and Tourism Act in 2018.

After being advised the grant was unsuccessful, Council were researching alternate sources of funding when the Deputy Premier announced on the 19th of July 2019 the funding for the project was granted.

“We were very pleased when we received word of our successful application in the form of a hand delivered cheque," said Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis.

The railway station before the project began. IMAGE: Facebook M Rozleja

“On a tour of the village one day we expressed how great it would be to restore the Railway Station and after consultation with Council we set about making this happen.”

“Our aim was to preserve the Station's historical significance by giving it a face lift and making it a valuable space for the community and tourists passing through.”

The Railway Station was first opened in 1884 as ‘Giralambone’ but this name was altered in 1889 to its current form. The nearby copper mines pre-date the railway station making copper mining the prime reason for the existence of the village.

With the railway line from Nyngan to Bourke decommissioned, the Station was closed in 1986 and has since laid empty and unused.

IMAGE: Bogan Shire Council

Now the Station will shine again and the Council is working on plans that will make the area a friendly and welcoming place to stop or as a community space for those of the town.

“We are floating around many different ideas for the Railway Station and have purchased two train carriages which will be set up on the line, both of which operated on that specific line in the 1950’s adding to the historical value,” Mr Francis said.

“We are considering creating an art gallery and artist in residence space, as well as a community space possibly housing a museum. A café and rest area for passers-by.”

“Our biggest difficulty at this point is attracting contractors out to complete the work. We are working hard to bring the project to fruition and look forward to its completion and the transformation that will bring it back to life,” he said.

IMAGE: Bogan Shire Council

Council will also be landscaping the Station surrounds to provide parking and an unpowered free camping zone.

Tritton Mine has jumped on board and will be contributing towards a mine museum display on the corner block adjacent to the Railway.

Local Contractors Jeff Turner and Kerry Martin have been painting and rendering the buildings bringing them back to life.

IMAGE: Bogan Shire Council

“I think it’s great the Council is sprucing up our village," said one local resident.

“The villages can look a bit run down at times especially so after the recent bad drought. A beautifully restored heritage building on the most visible part of ‘Giri’ is great for visitors and locals who take pride in the village’s appearance.”

Bogan Shire is hoping the project will ensure maximum benefit to the community and create an amazing space for years to come.