Cache #164
Willeys Reserve (R54755) - 147ha at the junction of Brookong Creek and Barracluffs Roads.
I assume named after the Willey family who may have owned land out this way - two Willeys from Urana served during World War 2.
Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) are a network of grazing routes and reserves which are thought to have originated from the informal tracks of early European explorers, pastoralists and settlers. In the days before modern transport, the network of roadside corridors and reserves were vital for many land owners allowing stock to be moved between properties particularly in times of drought. Colloquially called the "long paddock", TSRs include stock routes, which are corridors (ranging from 60 metres to almost two kilometres wide) that connect smaller watering and camping reserves, generally spaced 10 to 20 kilometres apart (based on a day’s walk for cattle or sheep). TSRs were formally gazetted in NSWin the early 1870s, after amendments to the Lands Acts and accompanying survey regulations. Because of the generally light grazing pressure (and the restrictions on clearing) the TSR network also has high biodiversity conservation, Indigenous and European culture values and are important for recreation.
This series of caches will highlight some of the reserves within Federation Shire. This area still has a very active group of drovers that move stock around the region. Though the Cobb Highway to the west is one of the more famous stock routes in NSW, the Federation Way between Corowa and Urana is another good example. The route would have originally been three chains wide (and parts still are) but the land is now various tenures including Stock Route (managed by Local Land Services), State Forest, road reserve (managed by Council and Transport NSW) and even freehold in parts. These reserves contain some of the best remnants of native vegetation in the region, though some are impacted by exotic grasses and shrubs (edge effects on linear patches are often high).
These reserves are still used by stock - if they are present it might be better to revisit another day. Leave gates as you find them. Many may be difficult to access when wet - park off the road and walk (none will be too far from the entrance). Like all bush caches careful with snakes, particyularly in summer. Keep an eye out for some that might contain a clue for a puzzle cache as well.
Enjoy!
FTF - Congratulations locus cache
For more information visit the LLS website on Travelling Stock Reserves
A couple of interesting articles on the history of TSRs are:
Spooner, P., Firman, M. & Yalmambirra,. (2010). Origins of Travelling Stock Routes. 1. Connections to Indigenous traditional pathways. The Rangeland Journal. 32. 329-329.
Cameron, J. & Spooner, P. (2010). Origins of Travelling Stock Routes. 2. Early development, management, and the growing embrace of the law (1830–70s). The Rangeland Journal. 32. 341-351.