WALLERAWANG Wallerawang is a small township that requires a diversion off the Mudgee/ Lithgow main hgy. St John Church is the catalyst for the turn off. Wallerawang is located approximately 14 km northwest of Lithgow on the Main Western railway line at the junction of the Gwabegar line. A now closed railway station opened in 1870. Wallerawang Power Station opened in 1957. 'Wallerawang' derives from the language of the Wiradjuri Aborigines who occupied the area before white settlement. It is said to mean 'place near wood and water' or 'plenty of water'. The first European in the immediate vicinity was James Blackman who delineated the first road from Bathurst to the present site of Wallerawang in 1820. The 'Wallerawong' station was taken up by James Walker in 1824, although Andrew Brown of 'Cooerwull' (see entry on Lithgow) managed the property much of the time. Wallerawang became a major stopover for those headed between Sydney and the farming areas beyond Mudgee and for those travelling between Sydney and Bathurst. One of the latter was famous natural historian Charles Darwin who stayed overnight at 'Wallerawang' farm in 1836 as a guest of Mr Brown. Two of Walker's convict servants took up land here in the 1850s (Maddox taking up Lidsdale). Walker's widow established a small stone school in 1860 which is still standing. St John's Church of England was erected in 1883 to a design of Edmund Blacket, at the behest of James Walker's daughter. This is a quite magnificent building and of great significance. The United and Catholic much lesser offerings The rail station has played an important part in the development of the western coalfields of NSW as well as furnishing power for the railways. However, since the mid-1980s, automation, computerisation and rationalisation have resulted in significant job losses from both the power station and the local collieries. The Wallerawang War Memorial is a significant acknowledgement, and speaks volumes for that era. Two significant NSW style pubs have survived the sands of time. When passing, be sure to make the effort.