Walgett Local History
Walgett is a small town situated in the New South Wales state of Australia. The name "Walgett" is derived from the Gamilaraay language, meaning "the meeting of two rivers", which refers to the town's location at the junction of the Namoi and Barwon rivers.
The region of Walgett has a rich and diverse history. The area was once home to the Gamilaraay people, who were the traditional custodians of the land. The Gamilaraay people have a strong spiritual connection to the land and have been living in the region for thousands of years.
The first European explorers to visit the region were Charles Sturt and Thomas Mitchell in 1828. They were followed by settlers who established sheep and cattle farms in the region. The town of Walgett was established in 1859, and by the late 1800s, it had become an important trading hub for the surrounding agricultural communities.
In the early 1900s, the region became known for its opal mining. Walgett was the centre of the New South Wales opal industry and was home to a large number of opal miners and their families. Today, opal mining still takes place in the region, although it is not as significant as it once was.
Walgett has been the site of many important events in Australian history. In 1965, Walgett became the first town in New South Wales to have an Indigenous person elected to local government. Arthur Beetson, who went on to become one of Australia's most famous rugby league players, was elected to the Walgett Shire Council.
Walgett also played a significant role in the fight for Indigenous rights in Australia. In 1957, the Walgett Aboriginal community held a strike to protest against the poor living conditions on the local reserve. The strike was one of the first Indigenous-led protests in Australian history and helped to bring attention to the injustices faced by Indigenous people.
Today, Walgett is a small town with a population of around 2,000 people. It is still an important agricultural hub and is home to a number of grain and cotton farms. The town is also home to a number of Indigenous communities, who continue to fight for their rights and recognition.
The history of Walgett is a testament to the resilience and strength of the people who have lived in the region for thousands of years. From the Gamilaraay people to the early European settlers and the Indigenous communities of today, the region has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that is worth celebrating and preserving for future generations.