Visitors arriving in Barellan are now greeted by a new set of village entry signs, which were completed in time to welcome crowds during the October long weekend, for the Barellan Good Old Days Festival. The durable Corten steel signs are the first to be delivered as part of Narrandera Shire Council’s Town and Village Entry Signs suite, which will see a cohesive collection of signage installed at entry points to Narrandera, Barellan, Grong Grong and Binya. Paying homage to Barellan’s unique heritage, the sign features a golden working Clydesdale horse affixed to the front, while a tennis racquet and ball are etched into the reverse – a nod to renowned tennis player Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, who grew up in Barellan. Wheat etchings recognise the cropping that is the backbone of the local farming community, alongside Indigenous artwork designed by local Wiradjuri woman Shelby Lyons-Kschenka of Marara Designs. Narrandera Shire Mayor Neville Kschenka OAM said community input had shaped the result. “Two rounds of community consultation were held during 2025, and the Barellan community gave us valuable feedback on everything from the overall design and materials to the feature icons and wording,” Mayor Kschenka said. “It’s fantastic to see the finished signs in place, and the response from Barellan residents has been overwhelmingly positive. “They make a proud statement about the village as people arrive, and having them ready for the Good Old Days Festival was a great outcome.” The project was delivered by local Grong Grong business Conway Welding, from site works and fabrication of the signs, through to installation. Council thanks Barellan residents, businesses and community groups who took the time to share their views throughout the consultation process. Delivery of the remaining entry signs for Narrandera, Grong Grong and Binya is dependent on securing grant funding. Council will continue to keep the community informed as the project progresses.
