Police, Aboriginal community

to honour tracker Jimmy Nyrang

POLICE and members of the Narromine Aboriginal community this morning (Tuesday) will commemorate the life James “Jimmy” Nyrang, the tracker who assisted in the capture of Mawbey family murderer Jimmy Governor in 1900.

Mr Nyrang was employed as a tracker by the New South Wales Police Force between 1900 and 1902.

He played a prominent role in the tracking of Jimmy Governor in the investigation of the killing of the Mawbey family at Breelong, near Gilgandra, on July 20, 1900.

As part of their 150th year of policing celebrations last year, Orana Local Area Command, based at Dubbo, has worked closely with Narromine Ngurra Mayin Elders for the past 12 months in preparation for the commemoration, police say.

Orana Local Area Commander, Superintendent Stan Single APM, will host a formal ceremony at 11am today at Narromine Cemetery to acknowledge Mr Nyrang.

He died in 1928 near Narromine and was interred in the Narromine Cemetery, where his grave was marked with a white timber cross.

A formal headstone will be unveiled by Western Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, to honour the former work of Mr Nyrang and the symbol of his Aboriginal totem, the possum.

“We are delighted that the work of Mr Nyrang within the NSW Police Force and the community can be acknowledged formally,” says Assistant Commissioner McKechnie.

“Officers have worked closely with Aboriginal elders in the community to ensure Mr Nyrang could be honoured in this way.”

Members of the Narromine Aboriginal community, Aboriginal Lands Council, Aboriginal elders and representatives from local schools will attend the commemoration.