The towns and villages in the Hilltops Region have strong cultural heritage links.
Young is steeped in history; from the discovery of gold in 1860, to the miners who came to try their luck, to the bushrangers attracted to easy pickings and the riots that followed as European miners drove 1200 Chinese miners from the diggings. Chinese miners were sheltered by a local landowner, James Roberts, who fed and gave them refuge until the authorities arrived. Follow the story at the Lambing Flat Folk Museum.
Enterprise and ingenuity are embedded in the town’s history; for example, Young was the first town in the Empire to switch on electricity to streets and homes. Today, you can still wander down Lighting Lane where those first lights shone.
Boorowa’s strong ties to the Irish originated in the 1820s when two Irish families settled in the region. Many original Irish names now dominate the local phonebook and property names.
Boorowa has a rich agricultural history, particularly in the production of Merino sheep and fine wool. Boorowa’s climate and rainfall means it’s one of the safest areas of Australia for running stock.
Harden is the home of the first Australian Lighthorse Regiment, and famous for its Bill the Bastard statue. The story of Bill is a legend of the WWI Battle of Romani and he became famous for his obstinate nature. The life size statue of Bill was created by local sculptor, Carl Velarius, and measures 17 hands.
Harden has a rich gold mining history and the Chinese immigrant community is significant in that history. Currawong Homestead became a refuge for immigrant Chinese miners during the Lambing Flat Gold Rush riots in June 1861.
Harden has a strong history of sheep and cattle grazing and agriculture followed. Harden is now noted for its reliable production of cereal and grazing crops and pasture production.
Heritage Studies
Further history and detail of Hilltops Heritage can be found in the below heritage studies:
- Boorowa Thematic History
- Boorowa – Community Based Heritage Study
- Harden – Community Based Heritage Study
- Harden – Harden Shire Thematic History
- Hilltops – Report on Hilltops Heritage Study Review with Post Exhibition LEP Item Inclusion
- Young – Community Based Heritage Study
- Young – Report on Young Heritage Main Street Study
- Young – Young Shire Thematic History
Heritage Enquiries
If you have a question or enquiry about Hilltops Heritage, contact Council’s Strategic Planning team by lodging a ‘Planning Heritage Enquiry’ request through Councils website (Lodge a Request – Hilltops Council) or via email at mail@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Local Heritage Listings
The Hilltops Local Environmental Plan 2022 – NSW Legislation lists various places of built, natural, and cultural significance under Schedule 5 Environmental Heritage.
There are currently 298 heritage items listed within the LGA, as can be found here Hilltops Local Environmental Plan 2022 – NSW Legislation
7 buildings and places in the region have State Heritage significance, and are listed on the NSW State Heritage Register under the Hilltops LEP.
See the State Heritage Register here: State Heritage Inventory | Heritage | Environment and Heritage (nsw.gov.au)