Interesting snippet from a history of Walgett:
https://www.walgett.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/department/planning/documents/thematic-history-walgett-shire.pdf"Further north near Pokataroo,
William Earl had commenced a hotel known as the Squatters
Arms where the Barwon could be crossed. As land settlement increased around the Barwon
and Narran Rivers, this ford was increasingly used to cross the river.5 In 1867, Collarenebri
was measured out as a town and was duly proclaimed on 12 July 1867.6 The town emerged
along a site where tracks converged to cross the Barwon River. Stockyards and a few huts
were positioned both in the new village and just to the east of it.7 Before 1866, Edward
Fletcher and Mr Smith had applied for and had been approved to receive a Conditional
Purchase of 40 acres on the eastern side of the Barwon River. Fletcher commenced a store
on this land.8
Collarenebri had a store, a post office and a punt to aid river crossings.
William Earl died in
1868 and when his widow remarried a man named Reed, the hotel acquired new owners who
ran it for many years. John Brasen, the local storekeeper, commenced a rival hotel, the
Happy Home about 10 miles below Mogil Mogil, which acquired a post office after the
post office in Collarenebri closed."
Judith
