History & Heritage

FROM LAMBING FLAT TO YOUNG

In 1826 James White ventured into the area now known as Young and settled at Burrangong Station. At this time the recognised settlement area reached only as far as Yass and Boorowa.

The site where Young now stands consisted of a well sheltered valley with good water and it was here that White built sheep yards and a shepherds’ hut. The area was reserved for lambing ewes, and therefore was in turn given the name of 'Lambing Flat'. The beautiful valley remained as such for 34 years until 1860 when White's nephew Dennis Regan and Alexander 'the Yankee' found gold at the spot in the creek at the rear of the current Lambing Flat Folk Museum. Within 12 months some 20,000 miners were busy extracting the precious metal from the earth. Amongst them were some 2,000 Chinese miners.

The European miners deeply resented the Chinese and in 1861 riots began with the Chinese being forced from the fields time and time again. The Official Riot Act was read to the miners on the 14th July 1861, this being the only official reading in NSW history.

The area known as the Burrangong Goldfields covered an area of 20 miles (32km) by 10 miles (16.5km). It was regarded as the richest, most extensive and most populous in the State with 470,000 ounces of gold sent by escort from the fields.

In 1861 Lambing Flat was to have its name changed to Young, named in honor of His Excellency the Administrator of the Government,

In 1889 Young became the first town outside of the capital cities of Australia to install electricity into the street and homes of the township. Young is also acknowledged as the first township to institute a rural school bus system in New South Wales.

The town of Young has come a long way since 1826 and continues to grow and prosper. Young is now considered to be one of the fastest growing towns in regional NSW. With a population of 9,000 people in the town and 12,500 in the district, Young Shire possesses an extremely diversified economy. Elevated 432.2m above sea level, Young Shire covers an area if 2,667 sq km of undulating country.

Today Young still cherishes its unique and colourful history and a re-enactment of the 'Roll up' and the reading of the Riot Act are performed during the Lambing Flat Festival held in the April of each year. Gold can still be found in the area and visitors can hire equipment from the Lambing Flat Folk Museum and try their hand at panning in the designated fossicking area at Blackguard Gully.

Young is also known as the 'Cherry Capital of Australia'. The area boasts many cherry and stone fruit orchards, some offering the chance for visitors the 'pick your own' experience. In addition, there are many excellent wineries around Young and the surrounding area that now form 'The Hilltops' area. Cherries are available from mid November through to late December with the stone fruit season usually continuing until the end of March.

Highlights of the year include the Lambing Flat Festival, blossom time in late September to early October and the National Cherry Festival on the first weekend in December.