The Narromine Region is rich with history stemming back to the Cobb & Co Trail and early settlements of Dandaloo, Timbrebongie, McPhail, Wyanga and Gin Gin. Narromine's Local History Room, located in the Narromine Library provides a plethora of historical information on the Narromine Region, including the communities of Narromine, Trangie and Tomingley.

The Local History Room is unique due to its local importance and national significance. The History Room identifies both local and family history along with collections on Narromine's Aviation history, the history of the McPhail Mine at Tomingley and the history of the Cobb & Co trail through the Region. 

The collection includes resources that relate to geological time, Aboriginal life, post-European occupation, the natural and built environment as well as contemporary material about life in the Narromine Region. The collection also includes books published by locals, written about life in the Region at the time including;

The Narromine History Group

Records available at the Narromine Local History Group include:

  • Rate books – Narromine Municipal Council 1899-1902, 1920+
  • Rate books – Timbrebongie Shire Council 1906 - 1980
  • Parish maps – available for all parts of the Shire
  • Schools - in the early years the Shire had 28 small country schools, information on these schools has been obtained from the State Archives. A history of Narromine Public School, Tomingley Public School and St. Augustine’s Catholic School, Narromine have been written.
  • Cemeteries - records of headstones and unmarked graves are available for areas all over the shire, including some on properties. Photos are available of all headstones in the Narromine cemetery.
  • Newspapers - from Narromine exist from 1899-1905, 1925+; from Trangie exist from 1902-1907; Dubbo Liberal 1894-1924
  • Obituaries, marriages & births - notices have been extracted from many of the local papers
  • Photo collection - many “old” photos of the Shire and its people, many more copies have been donated since 1999. Many photos are held on computer.
  • Aboriginal history – local book “Aboriginal History of Central West NSW”; Joyce Payne, the author, has accumulated a large collection of written Aboriginal history of the Wiradjuri people of the Shire from the early years, including many photographs.
  • Local history books - approximately 20 local history books have been written on areas within the Narromine Shire, and one is expected on the history of Dandaloo within a short time. Many family history books are also available.
  • Thematic & heritage - thematic history of the Shire and histories of 200 sites within the Shire was completed in 2004.

Location: Narromine Library, 31-33 Dandaloo Street, Narromine
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:30am to 4:30pm
Phone: (02) 6889 1088
Email: narromine.localstudies@mrl.nsw.gov.au