Since 1980, the Bandiana facility has hosted weekly sales of cattle and sheep, as well as regular store and special sales where the cream of the region’s bloodlines have been sold to graziers from all parts of Australia.

So for many, yesterday’s final sale was an important occasion after 34 years; some will have spent much, if not all of their working lives at the yards.

Tomorrow the gates will open at the new livestock exchange centre — the new term for the saleyards — at Barnawartha North.

It will be the start of a new era and will involve changes to how stock are transported, yarded and sold.

For those who conducted their daily business at the Bandiana saleyards there will be new surrounds, not only in the yards but also in the canteen where they take the time for a meal or a cuppa.

There will be a new kitchen, appliances, tables and chairs, but food, plates, cutlery and cookware have to be packed and transported south down the highway ahead of tomorrow’s opening.

Then it will be time for new memories to be created in the decades to come.