Heritage NSW Grant Update

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on our progress! We have submitted a grant application to Heritage NSW under the Caring for a Heritage Item program, seeking significant funding to help preserve and restore key features of the shearers’ quarters. Our focus is on stabilising the chimneys, ovens, and hearths, as well as restoring the windows.

The chimneys are crumbling, so their preservation is our top priority. Fortunately, we have skilled tradespeople ready to take on the project. We’ve also obtained a quote from a professional who can restore the windows like for like, ensuring they retain their historical integrity.

In addition, we have applied for funding from the National Trust to further support these efforts. With adequate funding, we can continue making progress while also relying on volunteer tradespeople and donated supplies to help preserve the woolshed.

Thank you for your ongoing support—we’ll keep you updated as things develop!

Open Days – March 2025

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the wonder of Toganmain firsthand and see the restoration work in progress, we’d love for you to join us at one of our upcoming Open Days!

📅 Dates: 22nd & 23rd March 2025

💰 Tour Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child (All proceeds go towards ongoing restoration efforts.)

Please keep in mind that Toganmain is a work in progress, and facilities on-site are extremely limited. We recommend coming prepared for a rustic experience as we continue working to restore this historic precinct.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the history, progress, and future vision of Toganmain!

Toganmain’s 150th Anniversary Celebration

Preparations are in full swing for the 150th Anniversary weekend on 14th–15th June! This milestone event will include tours of the woolshed, markets, and a pictorial history display of the woolshed and quarters, which we hope to set up in the old dining room (pending a few necessary fixes).

Due to limited space, attendance at the site will be restricted, with priority given to our dedicated registered volunteers. Even so, participation will depend on clearing enough space in front of the woolshed to accommodate caravans. If you’re planning to join us, we strongly recommend booking accommodation early. Options include caravan parks in neighbouring towns and some free camping areas.

One of my aspirations is to host a dinner in the shed down the board—but we’ll have a Plan B in case that proves unfeasible. We are also looking for funding and sponsorship to help cover event costs. This includes running buses from Darlington Point and Hay, primarily for the planned Saturday and Sunday night dinners. If sponsorship is your forte, we’d love for someone to help take on that responsibility!

Working Bees: Easter Goals

Many of our plans depend on how much we can get done over Easter. A major milestone we’re hoping to achieve is getting electricity connected, which will bring us one step closer to installing working showers on-site.

Supporting Toganmain:

Community Efforts & Upcoming Projects

Wool Donations & Art Fundraiser

One of our committee members is working with local farmers to donate bales of wool, which will be sold to raise funds for Toganmain.

Additionally, John Nicholson, a talented artist, has generously donated one of his stunning drawings of Toganmain to be sold at his upcoming exhibition, with all proceeds going to support our efforts. I highly recommend visiting his website to see his incredible work by clicking here.

These initiatives will help cover essential administrative costs, such as insurance, ensuring we can continue our work.

Preserving Our History: A Book About Toganmain

We are incredibly fortunate to have Lexie Keane, a dedicated author, on board. Lexie has undertaken the monumental task of interviewing and recording the stories of Toganmain, preserving the experiences of shearers, cooks, and shed hands—many of whom are now in their later years.

This is an ambitious and important project, and we’ll share more details as it progresses.

Photographic Legacy: Andrew Chapman OAM

Long-time supporter and friend of Toganmain, Andrew Chapman OAM, is a renowned photojournalist. His 2015 book, The Shearers, features evocative images captured in woolsheds across Australia—including Toganmain.

Andrew has kindly allowed us to use his extraordinary images in promotional materials currently in production. If you’d like a copy of The Shearers, it is available for purchase directly from Andrew, with 30% of the cover price donated to us. Details on how to order can be found by clicking here.

Toganmain’s 150th Anniversary Celebration

Preparations are in full swing for the 150th Anniversary weekend on 14th–15th June! This milestone event will include tours of the woolshed, markets, and a pictorial history display of the woolshed and quarters, which we hope to set up in the old dining room (pending a few necessary fixes).

Due to limited space, attendance at the site will be restricted, with priority given to our dedicated registered volunteers. Even so, participation will depend on clearing enough space in front of the woolshed to accommodate caravans. If you’re planning to join us, we strongly recommend booking accommodation early. Options include caravan parks in neighbouring towns and some free camping areas.

One of my aspirations is to host a dinner in the shed down the board—but we’ll have a Plan B in case that proves unfeasible. We are also looking for funding and sponsorship to help cover event costs. This includes running buses from Darlington Point and Hay, primarily for the planned Saturday and Sunday night dinners. If sponsorship is your forte, we’d love for someone to help take on that responsibility!

Working Bees: Easter Goals

Many of our plans depend on how much we can get done over Easter. A major milestone we’re hoping to achieve is getting electricity connected, which will bring us one step closer to installing working showers on-site.


Supporting Toganmain:

Community Efforts & Upcoming Projects

Wool Donations & Art Fundraiser

One of our committee members is working with local farmers to donate bales of wool, which will be sold to raise funds for Toganmain.

Additionally, John Nicholson, a talented artist, has generously donated one of his stunning drawings of Toganmain to be sold at his upcoming exhibition, with all proceeds going to support our efforts. I highly recommend visiting his website to see his incredible work by clicking here.

These initiatives will help cover essential administrative costs, such as insurance, ensuring we can continue our work.

Preserving Our History: A Book About Toganmain

We are incredibly fortunate to have Lexie Keane, a dedicated author, on board. Lexie has undertaken the monumental task of interviewing and recording the stories of Toganmain, preserving the experiences of shearers, cooks, and shed hands—many of whom are now in their later years.

This is an ambitious and important project, and we’ll share more details as it progresses.

Photographic Legacy: Andrew Chapman OAM

Long-time supporter and friend of Toganmain, Andrew Chapman OAM, is a renowned photojournalist. His 2015 book, The Shearers, features evocative images captured in woolsheds across Australia—including Toganmain.

Andrew has kindly allowed us to use his extraordinary images in promotional materials currently in production. If you’d like a copy of The Shearers, it is available for purchase directly from Andrew, with 30% of the cover price donated to us. Details on how to order can be found by clicking here.

A Reminder About Our Call to Action

Help Us Preserve Toganmain Woolshed

The Toganmain Woolshed is a vital part of our region’s cultural heritage, and we need your help to ensure its legacy endures. We’re exploring funding opportunities to restore this iconic site, document its stories, and host a grand 150th anniversary in 2025.

We invite you to join our efforts by contributing to our Support Register through our online form. This is your chance to share why the Toganmain Woolshed matters to you. The form includes three key statements outlining potential areas for funding. Your input, whether personal reflections or thoughtful insights, will directly strengthen our grant applications and advocacy.

Together, we can honour the past and ensure the Toganmain Woolshed continues to inspire for generations to come. Thank you for helping us keep its spirit alive.

Working Bees: Registration

Our Easter Working Bee will be held from 18th to 21st April, 2025.

To attend any of our working bees it is necessary to do two things:

Stay Up to Date

Don’t forget to stay connected through our new website and Facebook Page for the latest news, updates, and information. We’re also excited to announce that we’re now on Instagram! While our account is just getting started, we plan to showcase a visual journey of our progress and achievements as we move forward. Grateful thanks to Ian for a fantastic job. 

Follow us at @toganmainwoolshed, and be sure to tag us in any photos you take during your visit, we’d love to see and share them!