Agricultural
2 August, 2021
End of an era for Oakey saleyards
After almost 80 years as a key meeting place of the Oakey region’s farmers and agriculture industry members, the pig and calf saleyards on the corner of Cory and Queen Streets are no more with the Oakey Men’s Shed given the task of dismantling and re-purposing the last surviving structure.
Although opened by Brideson’s in 1938, the final standing shed is a newer addition, built some time in the late 1960s to house the pigs up for sale.
Oakey Men’s Shed president John Greenhalgh said the group was approached by Riverina to remove the structure.
He said the iron roof and hardwood frame are still in very good condition considering their age.
“There is no rust in the iron and the wood shows no sign of rotting,” he said.
“It shows how well people made things in the old days.”
Mr Greenhalgh thanked Riverina for letting the group use the resources.
He said they hoped to either create new items or re-sell the pieces with all funds going to support their organisation.
Secretary Graeme Garvis said he remembered the impact the yards had on Oakey community when they were operating.
“You couldn’t get a park in town,” he said.
“The place was full of people who had come to take part in the pig and calf sales.”
Several companies owned the site from Primaries Mactaggarts (Primac) and Elders until the saleyards closed in 2007.
