Collarenebri, New South Wales

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Main street of Collarenebri, NSW

Collarenebri is a town with a population of 478 people (2006 Census)^[1] in north western New South Wales, Australia. It is situated in Walgett Shire, on the Barwon River approximately 75km northeast of Walgett and south west of Mungindi on the Gwydir Highway. It is 16km (10 miles) from Pokataroo which was the nearest railway town prior to closure of the rail service there. Collarenebri is situated at elevation of 150 metres.

Collarenebri is a native word of the Gamilaraay galariinbaraay, literally "place of flowers".^[2]

[edit] History

During the 1850s Collarenebri was primarily a cattle station but had rich pastures, good access to water and one of the two main bridges to cross into rural western New South Wales. This had attracted settlers from afar and nearby patrons from the prospering town of Pokataroo situated 16 km south east of Collarenebri, which had strived and achieved a railway station, school and a gaol. A pub was opened on the upper Barwon River and the town of “Collarindabri” was later gazetted on 12 July 1867.

1890 Collarenebri had become a growing town with a hospital, police station, and a famous pub, The Squatters Arms, which was ran by James Earl, who attracted business to the town and was robbed by famous bush ranger Captain Thunderbolt (there is a street dedicated to James Earl's name). The cemetery at Collarenebri dates back to 1906 and has long been recorded as a significant site for Aboriginal people living in the area. This well maintained Aboriginal cemetery is unique with graves covered in melted glass and decorated with items that represent that person. On Collymongle Station there are some very old aboriginal carved trees.

Many of the buildings in Collarenebri today date back to c.1910. Collarenebri was among the last places in Australia to be converted from a manual switchboard to an automatic telephone exchange. Volunteers run Collarenebri's live, local radio station YAAMA-FM 95.9 specialising in indigenous programming.

Industries in the area include cotton and wheat farming, sheep and beef cattle breeding. Other activities include fossicking for gemstones such as topaz, agate and petrified wood.

The Barwon River area is regarded as one of the best inland fishing locations in Australia.

The town is home to famous artist Robert Dallas James who is well known in the visual effects industry.