Arabic version: نصب من الأردواز يكرّم سكان «تين تاون» السابقين في غرب نيو ساوث ويلز

According to ABC News, two large slate pillars near Warrena Creek outside Coonamble now carry the names of 31 families who once lived in “Tin Town”, a largely Aboriginal town camp that no longer exists.

Former resident May Welsh, who raised seven of her children in the settlement and was among its last residents to leave, said the memorial had deep personal meaning. Her family name is among those engraved at the site, where her parents, friends and relatives once lived.

Tin Town was established around the 1940s and was one of many reserves outside regional towns in the 1900s. Its name reflected the corrugated iron and tin used to make homes. Although more substantial houses were later built, the site had no running water or electricity. It was decommissioned in the late 1970s and the homes were bulldozed.

The memorial forms part of the Coonamble Regional Art Trail, which also includes projects in Gulargambone and Quambone. Project coordinator Andrew Hull said the slates provide a permanent historical marker at the former settlement site following community consultation.

Artist Ian Marr created the work, describing stone inscription as a readable history for families and descendants. Ms Welsh said she hoped younger people would visit, read the names and ask questions about the settlement.