Reg Hailstone
Reginald John Hailstone | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1901-11-01 Woodstock, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 1963 |
| Occupation(s) | Pastoralist, community leader |
| Known for | Leadership roles in Lachlan Valley region; advocacy for Wyangala National Park development; Country Party candidate in 1953 NSW state election |
Reginald John Hailstone (1901–1963) was an Australian pastoralist and influential community figure in New South Wales' Lachlan Valley region.
Background
Hailstone was born on 1 November 1901 in Woodstock as the eldest child of Isaac Hailstone and Julia Finn, early settlers who established themselves in the Woodstock area during the 1890s. His education was conducted at home by his mother beneath a large peppercorn tree located at Green Gully, Mount McDonald.
Civic positions and achievements
Throughout his career, Hailstone occupied prominent leadership roles such as president of the Pastures Protection Board, councilor and president of Waugoola Shire Council, Chairman of the Wyangala National Park Trust, and a delegate for Waugoola Shire on the Lachlan Valley Development League. Additionally, he contributed to the Central Tablelands County and Blayney Land Boards.
A dedicated proponent of regional advancement, he championed the Lachlan Valley’s capacity as a vital food-producing area and advocated for the development of Wyangala National Park (currently known as Wyangala Waters State Park) into a key tourist attraction. His pivotal role in founding the Wyangala National Park Trust emphasized enhancing and preserving the site.
His initiatives fostered collaboration among political groups to promote infrastructure improvements and economic expansion within the Lachlan Valley.
Politics
In the 1953 New South Wales state election, Reg Hailstone stood as the Country Party candidate for the Young electorate, contesting against sitting Labor representative Fred Cahill. Despite being relatively unknown locally, Hailstone ran as an underdog but was defeated by a margin of 2,716 votes—Cahill secured 10,802 votes compared to Hailstone’s 8,086. This marked his sole venture into state-level politics.
Death
In 1963, Hailstone passed away suddenly following a swim at Manly.
To honor his legacy, the road connecting Wyangala and Woodstock was named "Reg Hailstone Way."