 Irrigation schemes that eventually arrived saw the advent of the productive orchard and vineyard concerns that became so important to the overall region as it exists today.The State Government of New South introduced the Returned Soldiers Settlement Act, 1916 shortly after the combined Australian and State meeting held in Melbourne earlier that year (see above).Soldiers who had served outside of Australia either as a part of the Australian Imperial Forces or as a part of the British Defence Service and who had been honourably discharged were eligible to apply for Crown Lands.