Eugowra in recent years has been one of the towns hardest-hit by natural disasters, with the community almost ruined by flash-flooding in 2022 which destroyed property, homes and lives.

Eugowra Historical Museum and Bushranger Centre, however, is one of the most eclectic little collections of memorabilia in country Australia.

The museum boasts an interesting collection of objects ranging from bushrangers' firearms to old farming equipment, and displays of home furnishings and bric-a-brac.

Among other items on display is a pair of British cavalry lances alongside another unusual object. Around five feet (1.5 metres) long, padded at one end, with a small loop at the other, the device is a bayonet training stick.

How it operated, is that an instructor would throw “points” or thrusts with the padded end for the recruit to parry, while the ring on the rear-end was held up as a target to thrust a bayonet through.

As well as training soldiers for war, from the late 19th century through to the Second World War, bayonet fencing was a widely practiced military sport... even here in Australia.

Competitions would pit 'bayoneters' against one another using dummy rifles with a retractable blade. They would even be matched against sabres, both on foot and mounted, and even against mounted lancers.

Olympic fencing today includes the three weapons – foil, epee and sabre – but a century ago it was common to see a tournament billing of foil, sabre and bayonet.

For Central West locals looking to have a fascinating day tour, why not drop by?

The museum at 13 Pye St, Eugowra, is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 4pm, and on all other days by prior arrangement. Contact number: 6859 2218.