Warren Shire Council is currently conducting a heritage study to identify places that illustrate all aspects of the human story. We are already identifying fascinating places that tell a range of stories.

In one corner of the Warren General Cemetery is a small group of graves with Chinese characters on the headstones.

These are the graves of men who had migrated from southern China in the 19th century and who died in Warren surrounding districts after 1900.

Other Chinese people had been buried in the cemetery prior to 1900 but their bones were exhumated in that year and returned to their families in China.

The little cemetery tells us some important things about the experience of the men who came from China in the 19th century seeking prosperity in Australia.

Their story is not unique.

There are many complex, compelling, romantic and poignant stories that have physical expression in the landscape of the shire.

The evidence of these stories is found in ceremonial grounds, churches, homesteads, woolsheds, inn sites, community halls, memorials and many more places.

We are continuing to seek information from the community on places that are important in illustrating the story of Warren district.

These could range from important or special natural places to places important to Aboriginal people or buildings or places associated with early settlement, important events or developments.

They may even be beautiful places or buildings, or places that hold strong memories.

Council has prepared a simple nomination form that can be obtained from its website at www.warren.nsw.gov.au or council office at 115 Dubbo Street, Warren.

Nominated places will be assessed by a working party of community members assisted by heritage consultant, Ray Christison. We will eventually develop an inventory of heritage places that illustrate all aspects of the story of our community.