Village's 1950s rabbit disease trial gains heritage recognition

Balldale Hotel during its restoration in 2019. It is now set to be the first place in rural NSW to have a blue plaque marking an historical event rather than an individual. Picture by Tara Trewhella

The village of Balldale has scored a blue heritage plaque for its breakthrough in combating the spread of rabbits in Australia.

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NSW Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe announced on Monday November 20 that Balldale's role in the successful trial of the myxomatosis virus in the summer of 1950-51 would be marked with a blue circle.

It was one of 14 nominations selected in the latest round, with 12 of the others for individuals such as artist William Dobell and author Charmian Clift.

Our Town Balldale Inc founding chairman and member Brendon Wood drove the campaign to have the milestone recognised with a plaque.

"I thought that's an historical events that's been lost and that's probably worthy of one and it turns out we are," Mr Wood said.

Rabbits gather at a water hole in 1938 during unsuccessful myxomatosis trials on Wardang Island off Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. Picture from National Archives of Australia

"Not much happens in Balldale, the town nearly closed when the pub shut in 2011 and it was resurrected in 2019 when it reopened with a beautiful restoration and it's still an agricultural area and this is the major contribution Balldale has made to agriculture in Australia."

Mr Wood said the plaque would be installed on a wall of the hotel at some time in 2024, although the historical episode unfolded on a farm known as Warrembool, seven kilometres west of Balldale.

A farmer examines a warren on his property in December 1951 amid myxomatosis trials. Picture from the State Library of NSW/ACP Magazines Ltd

It was there in 1950-51 that the CSIRO released the virus after having had failures in South Australia and Gunbower before and after World War II.

With swampy terrain and pine trees, the Kookaburra paddock at the property proved to be suited to the transmission of myxomatosis via mosquitoes.

Mr Wood said over the summer it spread to the Corowa common more than 20 kilometres away, with dead rabbits with bulging eyes discovered.

"It's still recognised as the most successful biological control of a mammalian species in the world," the former Corowa policeman said.

A rabbit in 2011 displaying symptoms of myxomatosis which include swollen eyes.

Warrembool owner Susie Cay, 76, who was a little girl when the trial took place, is expected to be prominent at the plaque unveiling.

"When she was first told about she laughed but then when an historian visited as part of the application process she realised the importance of it being recognised," Mr Wood said.

Mrs Cay's father had served in the army with scientist Ian Clunies Ross who oversaw the project.

It will be the second blue plaque in the southern Riverina, with one attached to Albury's Australian Building in 2022 to acknowledge Lebanese immigrant Betro Abicare.