The North West of NSW is also known as the Orana region.  Ecologically and culturally diverse, it is located in the mid-northwest and covers approximately 199,078 square kilometres (population circa 101,300).  Twelve council shires comprise the North West - Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle and Wellington.

Volunteer Required for the position of North West County Coordinator.  A County Coordinator maintains the county website and moderates the existing message board.  This is not a difficult position and anyone with basic web editing experience and a genuine interest in the region is welcome to apply.  In addition to web and query maintenance, a County Coordinator also oversees the local GenWebs within its region.  This duty is non-technical as a County Coordinator operates in an advisory capacity only.  Existing Local GenWeb Coordinators and non-locals are welcome to apply for the position.

Join Rootsweb's AUS-NSW-WEST mailing list - suitable for anyone with a genealogical interest in the Western region of NSW from the South Australian border to Brewarrina down to Balranald; includes the towns of Broken Hill, Wentworth, Balranald, Hay, Nyngan, Cobar, Bourke and Walgett.

Bogan Shire Council (map) is a local government area of which Nyngan is the significant town.  The shire is supported by agricultural production, sheep, cattle and wheat.  The Municipality of Nyngan was proclaimed on 17 February 1891, while Bogan Shire was incorporated in 1906; the two councils amalgamated in 1972.

Bogan shire currently incorporates the communities of Babinda, Balgay, Bobadah, Buddabadah, Buttabone, Byrock, Canobna, Canonbar, Colane, Coolabah, Five Ways, Girilambone, Grahweed, Hermidale, Honeybugle, Merryanbone, Miandetta, Mirilba, Monkey Bridge, Moonagee, Mudall, Mulla, Muriel, Murrawombie, Nyngan, Pangee, Pangee Park, Quinine park, The Glen, Thorndale, Trowell Creek, Warrigal and Widgeland.

Bogan GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Bourke  is a town and local government area located approximately 800 kilometres north-west of Sydney, on the south bank of the Darling River (known upstream as the Barwon).  Bourke has a population circa 4,000 of which 50% are Indigenous Australians.  

Bourke was first reached by British settlers in the 1820s who named the town Prattenville; later in the 1830s it was renamed after Governor Richard Bourke of New South Wales  During the 1840s white settlers began to push into the western region.  Violent struggles took place between the Aboriginals and white settlers and while many white settlers fell at the hands of the local inhabitants, an even greater number of local indigenous died through the introduction of European diseases.  

In 1859 Bourke was established as a paddle boat destination; surveyed in 1862 it became a major inland port on the Darling River.  By 1885 the railway reached Bourke (the line was closed in 1989 after flooding caused significant damage to the line).

Bourke Shire incorporates the communities of Barringun, Beemery, Belalie, Boorindal, Bourke, Brindingabba, Byrock, Cornerstone Community, Dry Lake, Enngonia, Fords Bridge, Grass Hut, Gumbalie, Gunderbooka, Hungerford, Janina, Lauradale, Louth, Mount Mulyah, North Bourke, Pera Bore, Rainbar, Rathgar, Toorale East, Wanaaring, Warraweena, Winbar, Yantabulla and Youngerina Bore.

Bourke GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Brewarrina (map) is a small town and local government area on the banks of the Darling River (population circa 2,000).  It is situated 98 km east of Bourke and west of Walgett on the Kamilaroi Highway.  Brewarrina was traditionally an inter-tribal meeting place.  Fishing traps or Ngunnhu were constructed by the Aboriginal people in order to sustain the population during tribal gatherings.  The fisheries are estimated to be at least 40,000 years old and may well be the oldest man-made structure on earth.

The first white settlers arrived in the district crica 1839; the Lawson brothers being the first European land owners.  In 1859 a riverboat called Gemini, skippered by William Randell, arrived in Brearrina.  This led to the development of a port and by the early 1860s Brewarrina was recognised as the furthest navigable point on the Darling River.

Brewarrina Shire incorporates the communties of Belvedere, Bokara, Bokara Plains, Bow Creek, Brenda, Brewarrina, Brewarrina North, Brewarrina West, Briery Park, Bukulla, Bulabulah, Burban Grange, Byrock, Caringle, Cartlands, Cedars, Charlton, Collerina, Compton Downs, Coolaburra, Derra, Glenariff, Gongolgon, Goodooga, Kentucky, Marra Downs, Mogila, Mulgawarrina, Mundaoo, Muniwa, Narran Lake, Narran Plains, New Angledool, Talawanta, Tarcoon, Tarrion, Wave Hill, Weilmoringle, Willamurra and Yarrawin.

Brewarrina GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Cobar (map) is a town and local government area situated at the cross roads of Kidman Way and Barrier Highways (population circa 5,300).  Its name is derived from the indigenous Ngiyampaa Kuparr.  Some of the most significant Aboriginal rock art in NSW is within the shire. The Indigenous Ngiyampaa Wangaapuwan traditions of this diverse bio-region are best represented in the Aboriginal rock art of Mount Grenfell (40 km west of Cobar) where over 1300 depictions of humans, hand stencils and animals remain.

Early settlement followed the discovery of a copper deposit in 1870.  At the peak of the Australia European & Asian gold rush, Cobar and its outskirts accommodated the miners of the late 1880s.  Copper mining eventaully ceased in 1920.  By the 1980s  gold, silver, lead and zinc had been discovered. The town's development is distinct, afforded by the affluence of the mining boom. Three major mining belts operate within the area - Cobar, Canbelego and Girilambone.

Several heritage buildings from the late 1880s settlement are open to visitors, including the Great Western Hotel (1898), reputed to have the longest verandah in the Southern Hemisphere. The Festival of the Miners Ghost, held during the last weekend in October, is a festival celebrating the spirits of the old miners.

Cobar Shire incorporates the communities of Archriall, Barnato, Belarbon, Booberoi, Boppy Mount, Bulla, Bulla Park, Cable Downs, Canbelego, Cobar, Cobar East, Cubba, Donalds Plains, Eremeran, Eremerang, Euabalong, Euabalong West, Florida, Gunebang, Irymple, Keighrans Tank, Kerrigundi, Kulwin, Lerida, Matakana, Meryula, Mount Drysdale, Mount Hope, Murrin Bridge, Neckarboo, Noona, North Whoey, Nymagee, Priory Tank, Roto, Sandy creek, Shuttleton, Tilpa, Tindarey and Yallock.

Cobar GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Coonamble (map) is a town and local government area (population circa 2,500).  It is situated on the Castlereagh Highway north-west of Gilgandra.  Local produce includes wheat, sheep and wool.

Coonamble Shire incorporates the communities of Avoca, Ballara, Beanbah, Biblah, Billeroy, Black Hollow, Bourbah, Brigalow Bore, Bungaries, Burwood, Calga West, Carwell, Ceelong, Chilcotts Creek, Combara, Conimbia, Coonamble, Coonamble West, Emby, Garoona, Gilgi, Gilgooma, Goorangarbie, Gulgar, Gulargambone, Gungalman, Hollywood, Macqaurie Marshes, Magometon, Merri Merri, Moonambil, Mount Tenandra, Mungeri, Nebea, Nedgera, Omeo, Pages River, Penally, Pier Pier, Pine Grive, Quambone, Quambothoo, Qyanda, Quilbone, Ravenswood, Riverside, Rosewood, Sandy Camp, Sunny Park, Tenandra, Thurn, Tonderburine, Tooloomi, Urawilkie, Warrana, Wingadee, Youie and Yuma.

Coonamble GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Dubbo (map) is a service city with a catchment population in excess of 120,000 (encompassing a third of the area of NSW).  Located at the intersection of the Mitchell,  Newell and Golden Highways, Dubbo is approximately 300 metres above sea level.  It is considered the cross-roads of New South Wales as from Dubbo you can drive north to Brisbane, South to Melbourne, east to Sydney and Newcastle, and west to Broken Hill and Adelaide.  Dubbo is renowned for its Zoo.

Evidence of habitation by indigenous Australians dates circa 40,000 years.  John Oxley was the first European to report on the area (1818).  The first settler was Robert Dulhunty.  Records show that squatters were given permission to establish sheep and cattle stations in the area in 1824 but these were not maintained.  The year 1828 is commonly held to be the year that Dulhunty arrived and named the area Dubbo but contradicting reports place his arrival between 1829 and 1833.

Dubbo shire incorporates the suburbs and communities of Angle Park, Apollo, Arthurville, Ballimore, Barigal, Belgravia, Bencubbin, Beni, Benolong, Boothenba, Brocklehurst, Bruah, Bunglegumbie, Burrabadine, Butlers Falls, Churchill Gardens, Coolabaggie, Cumooggie, Delory, Delroy Gardens, Delroy Park, Dickygundi, Dilladerry, Drill Creek, Dubbo, Dubbo Grove, Dubbo North, Dulhunty, Dundullimal, Dungary, Durraween, East Dubbo, Eastridge, Equus, Erskine, Eschol, Eulomogo, Eumungerie, Firgrove, Geurie, Goan Creek, Hyandra, Jaymark, Jones Creek, Manera Heights, Minore, Mogriguy, Mugga Hill, Murrumbidgerie, Newbury Park, North Burrabadine, Nubingerie, Oakdene, Old Harbour, Orana Heights, Rawsonville, Raymond Hill, Richmond, Rocky Road, Sappa Bulga, Sheraton Meadows, South Dubbo, Talbragar, Terramungamine, The Pinnacle, The Springs, Tomingley, Toongi, Troy, Troy Junction, Wambangalang, Warrie, West Dubbo, Westella, Whylandra Crossing, Wongarbon, Woodstock, Yarandale and Yylong. 

Dubbo GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Gilgandra (map) is a town and local government area located on the junction of the Newell, Oxley and Castlereagh Highways.  A post office was established in the town of Gilgandra in 1867 with proclamation occurring in 1888.  The first town blocks were sold in 1889; the area was constituted as a shire in 1906.  Positioned on the  Castlereagh River, Gilgandra is a gateway to Warrumbungle National Park.  

A WWI recruitment march to Sydney began in Gilgandra in 1915; it was known as the Coo-ee March after the distinct call of 'coo-ee' which was shouted to attract recruits.  Twenty six men left Gilgandra on 10 October 1915. Along the way they were joined by fellow Australians and by the time they reached Sydney on 12 November 1915 the contingent numbered 263 recruits.

Gilgandra Shire incorporates the communities on Armatree, Balladoran, Bearbong, Bearbung, Berida, Biddon, Boyen, Breelong, Bringle, Collie, Curban, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Innisfail, Kamer, Kickabil, Mendooran, New Merrigal, Pibbon, Tooraweenah, Wallumburrawong, Windurong and Woodlands.

Gilgandra GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Narromine (map) is a town and local government area located about 40 kilometres west of Dubbo (population circa 3,000).  It sits on the Macquarie River and is renowned for its citrus fruits.  It is also deemed a pristine location for gliding with pilots annually descending on the area for the State & National Gliding Championships.

Narromine Shire incorporates the communities of Buddah, Bulgandramine, Bundemar, Burringeel, Burroway, Ceres, Dandaloo, Fairview, Farrendale, Gin Gin, Haberworth, Mungeribar, Mungerie, Narromine, Oaks Bridge, Timbrebongie, Tomingley, Tomingley West, Trangie, Trangie Research Station, Tyrie, Webbs Siding and Wyanga.

Narromine GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Walgett (map) is a town and a local government area in northern New South Wales (population circa 2,100).  On the junction of the Barwon and Namoi rivers, it lies at the intersection of the Kamilaroi and Castlereagh Highways.  Proclaimed in March 1885, it was once a port for paddle steamers that plied the Murray-Darling river systems.  Local produce includes wool, wheat and cotton.  It is also the gateway to the New South Wales opal fields.

Walgett Shire incorporates the communities of Angedool, Bairnkine, Bald Hills, Beanbri, Bonanza, Boorooma, Borah Tank, Borgara, Bugilbone, Bulyeroi, Burren, Burren Burren, Burren Junction, Burren Old, Burrenbah, Canfells, Cara Mia, Carinda, Collarenebri, Come By Chance, Cryon, Cumborah, Dungalear, Dungle Ridge, Dunumbral, Edenmore, Eurie Eurie, Gingie, Gingie Community, Goondoobluie, Grawin, Guiseley, Inverness Siding, Keelendi, Kiel Kiel, Kigwegil, Knobby Hill, Koothney, Lightning Ridge, Mercadool, Merrywinebone, Milrea, Moongulla, Morella, New Angledool, Newton Opal Field, Nine Mile Opal Reef, Nobby, Nobby's Field, Old Burren, Pilliga, Pokataroo, Rowena, Six Mile Opal Fields, Walgett, Walma, Waminda, Wellwood, Wimindah, Windella and Wombo Saw Mill.

Walgett GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Warren Shire (map) is situated on the banks of the Macquarie River (population circa 2,200).  Its local produce includes wool, cotton, wheat, oats, sorghum and maize.  Prior to European settlement the area was the home of Ngiyambaa people.  Both John Oxley and Charles Sturt undertook exploration of the area; it became a municipality in 1895.

Warren Shire incorporates the communities of Black Merrigal, Beemunnel, Belaringar, Bemunnel, Bogan, Buckinguy, Bullagreen, Bundemar, Buttabone, Bambridge, Canonba, Cathundral, Collie, Duffity, Eena Weena, Egelabra, Ellengerah, Ellersile, Ewenmar Creek, Gillendoon, Gobabla, Gradgery, Gulargambone, Gunningbar, Haddon Ridge, Hatton, Jedburgh, Marra Creek, Marthaguy, Melrose, Merenele, Merrigal, Merrimba, Mount Foster, Mount Harris, Mullengudgery, Mumblebone, Mumblebone Plain, Narrawin, Neverdry, Nevertire, Noonbah, Pigeonbah, Pine Clump, Pretoria, Raby, Red Hill, Reedy Corner, Roubaix, Snakes Plain, Tenandra, The Marra, Wahroonga, Wambianna, Wamboin, Warren, Warren Weir, Williewarina, Yahgunyah and Yanganbil.

Warren GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Warrumbungle (map) is the amalgamation of Coolah and Coonabarabran on Wednesday 25th August, 2004.  The shire is located within the foothills of the Warrumbungle and Coolah Tops mountain ranges, halfway between the regional cities of Dubbo and Tamworth (population circa 11,000).  It is famous for the internationally acclaimed Siding Spring Observatory, Coolah Tops National Park and State Forests.  Of particular note is the spectactular Warrumbungle Mountain Range, a region of past volcanic activity with unusual lava formations.

The area incorporates the towns and villages of Coonabarabran, Coolah, Binnaway, Baradine, Mendooran and Dunedoo.  It also comprises the communities of Barwon, Belar, Binnia, Bomera, Boomley, Box Rdige, Bugaldie, Burra Bee Dee, Cobbora, Connemarra, Coolah Creek, Craboon, Cumbil, Cumbil Corner, Dandry, Deringulla, Giarragulang, Goolhi, Goorianwaw, Gowang, Hannahs Bridge, Kenebri, Laheys Creek, Leadville, Liamena, Long Ridge, Menooran, Meremebene, Merrygoen, Mollyan, Montauban, Murrawal, Napier Lane, Neilrex, New Mollyan, Nombi, Okaey Creek, Purlewaugh, Rocky Glen,  Ropers Road, Siding Springs, Springvale, Tannabah, Teridgerie, Timor, Toorawandi, Toorawendah, Tuckland, Turee Creek, Uarby, Ulamambri, Uliman, Warkton, Wattle Springs, Weetaliba, Wooleybah, Yarragrin, Yearinan and Yearinan Springs.

Warrumbungle GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required

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Wellington (map) is located at the junction of the Macquarie and Bell Rivers in inland New South Wales.  It was originally inhabited by the Wiradjuri people.  Then, in 1817, European explorer John Oxley arrived and subsequently named the area Wellington Valley after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.  In 1823 the area became a convict settlement under the command of Lieutenant Percy Simpson.  Squatters soon followed and a Christian mission was established,  By 1831 convict settlement had ceased.  A village called Montefiores was established on the north side of the Macquarie River crossing; while the village of Wellington was gazetted in 1846 and declared a town in 1879.  One year later the railway steamed its way into Wellington.

Wellington is comprised of the following communities - Aspley, Arthurville, Baker's Swamp, Ballimore, Black Rock, Blathery Creek, Bodangora, Bournewood, Bundalla, Bungiebomar, Burrendong, Burrendong Dam, Bushrangers Creek, Cardington, Comobella, Cundumbul, Curra Creek, Dripstone, Elong Elong, Euchareena, Eurimbla, Falls Road, Farnham, Finger Post, Geurie, Gollan, Kerrs Creek, Lake Burrendong, Lincoln, Loombah, Lower Mookebawa, Maryvale, Montefiores, Mookerawa, Mount Aquila, Mount Arthur, Muckerwa, Mumbil, Murongbung, Nanima, Neurea, Ponto, Saxa, Spicers Creek, Store Creek, Stuart Town, Suntop, Terrabella, Twelve Mile, Walmer, Walmer, Warnecliffe, Wellington Caves, Windora, Wuuluman, Yarragal, Yeoval and Yeoval North.

Wellington GenWeb Coordinator:  Volunteer Required