Council has endorsed the naming of the bridge over the Shoalhaven River currently known as Ballalaba Bridge, just south of the intersection of Cooma Road and Wallaces Gap Road, the Alma Bridge. The bridge is in the locality of Bendoura. We are seeking the community's feedback on the proposed name, which you can provide below.
The proposal is to rename the bridge the Alma Bridge; due to its proximity to the historic property Nithsdale but specifically in recognition of the stallion Alma's historic significance in the development of this region in many ways equal to, or even superior to, the famous racehorse Archer.
About Alma
Alma was a Clydesdale stallion imported from the United Kingdom and owned by the Hon Hugh Wallace, who Wallace Street in Braidwood is named after.
Information below was provided by Ms Christine Ellis, a member of the Braidwood and Districts Horse Association.
Alma was recognised in the United Kingdom and Australia as being a valuable and important horse. He was the winner of a prize at the Agricultural Show open to all England, held at Carlisle. His arrival, announced in the Sydney Morning Herald on 11 February 1856, was celebrated as a significant boon for all breeders.
The article mentions his arrival as the potential sire to a colony desperately in need of the horsepower needed to pull the carts and the ploughs for the colony to sustain its growth.
He played a significant historical role in the community and colony’s development.
Archer, who won the first and second Melbourne Cups, has connection with the region and is commemorated in Archer Park in Braidwood. Both Alma and Archer stood in the district around the same time: Archer at Exeter Farm and Alma at Nithsdale farm at Ballalaba.
While there were many draughts in the Braidwood district, Alma continued to stand at stud longer than other horses both in the District and beyond. His genetic footprint on the breed in Australia extends far beyond Braidwood. He was responsible for a veritable dynasty of Clydesdales in the region – there are nearly 30 immediate descendants who went on to create their own dynasties and nearly all mentions of them refer back to Alma.
After his time at Nithsdale, Alma stood at Wallace’s other properties at Bega and Wagga, as well as other places in NSW.
Have your say
Naming of the Alma Bridge is open for community comment from Thursday 14 August to Thursday 11 September 2025. This can also be viewed:
- At Council’s Customer Service Centres, between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday
Feedback can be provided on the proposed name by:
- Completing an Online Submission Form (below)
- Emailing it directly to council@qprc.nsw.gov.au with the subject title "Naming of Alma Bridge"
- Hand writing your submission and delivering it to Council's Customer Service Centres
- Posting your submission to PO Box 90, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
