Warialda, New South Wales
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Warialda () is a town in the Northwest Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia, in Gwydir Shire. Situated on the banks of the Warialda Creek, the town’s name means “Place of Wild Honey.”
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[edit] Transport
The Gwydir Highway runs through town and, along with Stephen Street, is considered on of the town’s two main streets. Warialda is serviced by the railway at Warialda Rail, a town 5 or 10 km south of Warialda itself.
[edit] History
Warialda was the first town gazetted in the Northwest Slopes region, probably in the 1830’s and was the headquarters of the Yallori Shire.
[edit] Industry
Warialda is the service centre for the local agricultural sector. Farms around Warialda produce wheat, sorghum, barley, sheep, beef cattle. Many of the locals also earn a dollar or two hunting wild pigs, which are exported, mainly to Germany, where there are demands for wild boar which are not present in the Australian market. Consequently it is not advisable to enter a stranger’s property in the Warialda area as trained pig dogs may be kept in the yard.
[edit] Religion
Warialda is home to congregations of the Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, and Uniting Churches.
The Anglican and Catholic churches are located near the Gwydir Highway in the main part of town on the south bank of the Warialda Creek.
St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church is located on the corner of Stephen and Long Streets and has one of the best examples of modern stained glass windows. The front of the church has three windows representing the Parable of the Good Shepherd, from John chapter 10, as an Australian scene.
The Presbyterian Manse was built from convict-hewn sandstone which formed part of the original town gaol. A local landowner used this stone built a house for himself and donated the rest of the stone to the church. The Manse bears examples of gaol graffiti, such as “Hell is here” upside-down outside the office window, and “Lord, remember me” at the back of the building.
[edit] Education
Warialda Public School is one of the oldest public schools in New South Wales. It was established in 1851. Warialda is also home to Warialda High School and St Patrick’s Catholic School.
[edit] Places of interest
Between Warialda and Inverell on the Gwydir Highway is Cranky Rock. According to local legend, in the 1800’s a Chinese man jumped off Cranky Rock into the creek while being pursued by the local police. Cranky Rock is now a popular picnic spot.
