MDPA

About us

Founded in 2004, the Merriwa District Progress Association Inc. (MDPA) was established by a group of local citizens interested in maintaining and improving the standard of living of those in both the Merriwa township and the surrounding district.

Since the amalgamation of the Merriwa Shire Council with the Scone Shire Council and half the Murrurundi Shire Council (now the Upper Hunter Shire Council), the Association has represented the interests specific to Merriwa (and surrounds).

We also work with other local groups with the aim of maintaining, encouraging and promoting the social, economic, environmental, cultural and educational progress of Merriwa and district.

The MDPA is a not-for-profit organisation. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month (except January) at 6:00 PM in the Merriwa RSL Club at 122-126 Bettington Street, Merriwa.

The MDPA is ...

Working towards
a better future ...

for Merriwa and district.

Get Involved

As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on volunteers to resource our projects. If you'd like to help we'd love to hear from you.

Attend Our Meetings

Third Wednesday of every month (except January) at 6:00 PM in the Merriwa RSL Club at 122-126 Bettington Street, Merriwa.

Help Bring About Change

We encourage new members to the MDPA and welcome guests at all our meetings. Bring your ideas and enthusiasm. We'd love to see you!

Please use our contact form to contact us online or send any mail to MDPA PO Box 144, Merriwa NSW 2329.

The MDPA is proud of ...

Our Achievements

We are proud of our track record in affecting change in the Merriwa and surrounding district. We have lent a local voice to many initiatives. We have been able to influence Council decisions and maintain a good working relationship with local groups.

Explore the current and completed projects of the MDPA to see what our community members are able to achieve.

Fun Facts

And just for a little trivia ...

Did you know?

Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the first telephone in Australia at "Brindley Park" Merriwa

Merriwa hosted the first bushmen's carnival (rodeo) at the Merriwa Showground in 1928

Racehorse 'OId Rowley' is now resting in Merriwa after winning the 1940 Melbourne Cup at 100 to 1

Merriwa is recognised as the birthplace of the Pony Club movement in 1946

Night-time cricket was played under lights in Merriwa (in 1983), years before the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Feb 1985)

In the early days, bullock teams hauled heavily laden wagons with huge loads of wool bales long distances over non-existent roads to Morpeth to be loaded onto ships for the trip to Sydney and then on to London

Merriwa's annual Festival of the Fleeces started in 1990, and was originally held at the "Brindley Park" wool shed. It is a tribute to the vital part sheep and wool have played in establishing Merriwa as a recognised premium agricultural district

Some of the early settlers to Merriwa included: Legislative Council AL Mackenzie, Charles Blaxland ("Cullingral"), WC Wentworth, JB Bettington ("Brindley Park" also a MLC and a director of the Bank of NSW 1828-1850), George Hall ("Gundibri"), Henry Dutton ("Terragong")