From a town that defined Australia in the estimation of poet Henry Lawson, to a town that shamed it, the north-western NSW town of Bourke is on a path to redemption.

Six years ago Bourke topped the state in six out of eight major crime categories, and the Herald reported that it was more dangerous than any country on earth when its per capita crime rate was compared with United Nations data.

The main street of Oxley back in 2013. Credit:James Brickwood

These days towns from all over Australia are asking its leaders for advice on how to reduce incarceration rates and improve the prospects of their Aboriginal inhabitants.

It has been an interesting journey from the lowpoint of 2013.