News Updates

PHOTO: Local business owner Lissa Pennell says she has not even had to think about mandating vaccinations for her staff, but she does wonder how difficult it will be to ensure patrons are vaccinated when the government’s roadmap to freedom comes into effect. By OLIVER BROWN   ALTHOUGH … [Read more...] about Local businesses weigh in on mandatory vaccinations

PHOTO: Michael Caton chats to Coonamble's Ann Kennedy at the Terminus Hotel during filming on 9 July.   ON 9 July, exactly two years after iconic Australian actor Michael Caton first visited Coonamble, he returned to the district with fellow actress Nell Schofield [Puberty Blues] and an ABC … [Read more...] about Tell ’em they’re dreaming: Caton on CSG

PHOTO: International rugby player Ned Hanigan has been using his imagination to engineer some weights from things he's found around the family farm near Hollywood.   KEEPING fit during lockdown is a challenge for all sportspeople regardless of what they play or where they live, and even … [Read more...] about Ned’s lockdown fitness

PHOTO: Koonambil residents have joined the packing effort and are consistently contributing a large number of testing kits to the cause.   By LAURA WILLIAMS   WITH Covid testing efforts ramping up across the state, Coonamble is filling the demand for testing kits with local … [Read more...] about Local volunteers the backbone of state testing

PHOTO: A young Bill Crowe during his WWII service, when he fought and was injured in New Guinea. His good nature endeared him to friends, neighbours and the wider community throughout his life.   Eulogy of William Michael Crowe who passed away 31 July and was farewelled at a very small … [Read more...] about Salute to Bill Crowe

PHOTO: Happy punters Oliver Brown, Joel Gosden, Josh Wrench, JJ Munton, Rodney Pittman and Ned Savimaki (front) at the Picnic Races held at Coonamble Racecourse on Saturday 7 August.   THE LAST-MINUTE 'pop-up' Coonamble Picnic Races have been hailed a success although it was not the best day … [Read more...] about Punters pleased with pop-up Picnics

PHOTO: An essential service and more than just a meal. Norm (Pickles) Fulmer on duty for Meals on Wheels Coonamble.   MEAL providers who deliver regular meals to frail and aged residents around New South Wales say that a federal government "Funding Boost" announced by Minister for Senior … [Read more...] about Essential food deliveries at risk if ‘funding boost’ backfires

PHOTO: Ken (Jughead) and Kim McKeown from McKeown's Store say their local customers are getting increasingly frustrated by the state government's statewide mandatory mask wearing and electronic or manual check-ins.   By OLIVER BROWN   WITH ONGOING COVID-19 restrictions in … [Read more...] about ‘Most’ customers COVID compliant

PHOTO: Coonamble real estate agents say there is a distinct lack of suitable housing availability in town, particularly for people looking for rental options. By OLIVER BROWN THE INCREASE in people moving to rural areas for work opportunities is not being matched by suitable rental housing in … [Read more...] about House hunting gets harder for local renters

LANDOWNERS in the Coonamble area have discovered that they are now responsible for at least some of the repairs and maintenance to the poles, wires and other electricity infrastructure on their properties. At the beginning of June, Ian Smith received a letter advising that electricity … [Read more...] about Private power poles not a ‘gift’