Barmedman News Mornings Memories and Melodies is being held again on Monday 16 November at the Craft and Coffee Shop commencing at 10.30. All Seniors in the community are welcome to come along for a cuppa and a yarn. *** Check out the new access ramp installed to the entrance of the Community Hall, allowing easier access to the hall for many in the community. Thankyou to Graincorp and the Bland Shire Council for their assistance, Cleverdon’s Steel Constructions for the manufacture of the ramp and last but not least a big thankyou to the Barmedman volunteers who continually give up their time to help make our community a better place. A special thanks to Mick Owers for co-ordinating the project. A wonderful effort by all concerned just in time for the Community Christmas Carnival being held on Saturday 12 December with all the usual attractions including the Chocolate Wheel, Market Stalls and the children’s favourite Pesca Stall. If you would like to donate items to the Pesca they may be left at the Craft and Coffee Shop. Items do not have to be new but need to be clean and not damaged. If you would like to have a market stall, please phone 0457407932 or email barmedmancommunitycentreInc@gmail.com All monies raised go towards improvements and insurance for the Community Hall. *** Community members appreciated a visit from Member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey and his wife Judy last week. *** Congratulations to former Barmedman lady, Beverly Pellow [nee Clarke] who celebrates her 90th Birthday on the 14 November. Another former Barmedmanite to celebrate a birthday recently was Mark Harriott who celebrated his 60th birthday with family and friends. *** There are many in the community who would be interested to hear that former 1977 Barmedman Clydesdale Coach Stuart Ramsey had his owner bred and trained horse So You Are draw barrier 7 in the Melbourne Cup. Coolamon News Family, friends and community members gathered in Coolamon on 7 November to celebrate the life of Lynette "Lyn" Tokley, who passed away peacefully at Allawah Lodge on 4 November, aged 79 years. A devoted wife to George (dec'd), Lyn was a much-loved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. She leaves behind daughter’s Melissa and Robyn, sons Paul and Justin, their partners, and a treasured family including her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Known for her warmth, kindness and dedication to family, Lyn will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. Her passing leaves a deep void, but her love and legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched. Lyn is sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and many friends. *** Members of the Coolamon Lions Club have expressed their disappointment after a shipping container used in the club's recycling operation was vandalised with graffiti. The container, which is used to store recyclable cans and bottles before they are collected for processing, was recently found to have been defaced. The incident has upset volunteers who dedicate countless hours to sorting and handling recyclable materials as part of the club's fundraising activities. Funds generated through the recycling program are returned directly to the local community through donations, grants, and a range of community support initiatives. Club members say the vandalism is particularly disheartening given the positive impact these fundraising efforts have on local residents and organisations. The Lions Club has also noted that the container itself is not owned by the organisation but by recycling company TOMRA Cleanaway. The incident has been reported to police. While those responsible may never be identified, club members hope the offenders will consider the broader consequences of their actions, particularly if they, their families, or friends have benefited from projects and services funded by Lions Club activities over the years. Adding to community concerns, reports have emerged of similar graffiti appearing at other locations around Coolamon in recent weeks, raising the possibility that the vandalism may be part of a wider pattern of offending. Police are encouraging anyone with information about the graffiti incidents to come forward. Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or who may have information that could assist investigations is urged to contact police. *** Harvest has started across the Shire which brings more trucks and large machinery onto our local roads. Farmers often need to use public roads to move machinery between paddocks and trucks are transporting grain. Please take extra care and give these larger vehicles plenty of room. Slow down, be patient and share the road. Let’s keep everyone safe this harvest season. *** Coolamon Shire Council is advertising several new employment opportunities, including roles in the Riverina Regional Library, Allawah Lodge, engineering, plant operations and workshop supervision. Positions range from library management and marketing to clinical care and civil engineering. Interested applicants can view full details and apply via the Coolamon Shire Council website at coolamon.nsw.gov.au/jobs. *** It’s November, and Christmas is just around the corner and with it comes the Coolamon Lions Club’s ‘Light Up Christmas’ Christmas lights event. The Lions have come to the party again with prize money for the best decorated residence or business house. The judging will take place progressively between 5 and 22 December and winners announced after that. This year, the registration process will be slightly different as entrants will be asked to provide their address so that it can be added to a map which it is hoped will assist Locals and visitors find and enjoy the displays. Registrations are now available via the Coolamon Lions Club Facebook Page. *** News from the Coolamon Shire Library this week includes: It’s in the Bag - Share the Dignity. Join us for our annual “It's in the Bag” - Share the Dignity's Christmas appeal - The bag will offer hope and dignity to a woman or girl spending Christmas in a domestic violence refuge or homelessness shelter. Fill a bag with items life’s essentials and a few luxury items as well. A new or in good condition backpack, handbag or tote bag is welcome. Coolamon Library will collect donations until the end of November. For further details phone the Library – 69272492 Baby Bounce. Baby Bounce will be held on Wednesday 25 November at 10.30am. Baby Bounce is a 30-minute early literacy program designed to help very young children to explore language. Older siblings are most welcome – morning tea will be provided. Lego Club. Lego Club is held on Wednesday afternoons, from 4pm – 5pm. Then on Saturday mornings from 10.30am. All ages welcome. The aim of the Lego Club program is for children to have fun, learn to communicate with others and to develop problem-solving skills. Community Recycling Station. The library has a recycling station for your household wastes. Items that can be dropped into the library are Fluoro Globes, Mobile Phones and accessories, Smoke detectors and Household batteries. Storytime. The next Storytime will be held Friday 13th November theme – “Its Bear Time” at 10.30am. Children are most welcome to bring their toy bears - New families are welcome to join us. Book Deliveries. Our book delivery service is still available. Books will be delivered every Friday, phone the library for further details – 69272492. The Coolamon Library is on Facebook. News, pictures, events and opportunities are regularly uploaded – join us now. Coolamon From Our Past From Our Past this week returns to the Coolamon–Ganmain Farmers Review, where the November 1926 meeting of Coolamon Shire Council offers a clear window into the workings of local government in a growing rural district. The reports and correspondence reveal a community balancing progress with persistent challenges — from debates over increasing the general rate and managing the expanding electricity service, to firm action on public health concerns and long‑awaited improvements to roads and drainage. They capture the practical negotiations that shaped daily life, whether resolving disputes over new road surveys, addressing neglected sanitary conditions at the Ardlethan tin mines, or supporting local enterprise through haulage contracts and street tree management. Together, these glimpses show a Council steadily steering its Shire through change with pragmatism, diligence and a strong sense of civic responsibility — qualities that continue to define Coolamon today. *** ‘…The President reported that a commissioner appointed by the Local Government Department had held an inquiry into the proposed increase of the general rate from 2 shillings to three shillings. Mr McInnes, the Commissioner, had stated that he had personally was in favour of the proposed increase and he had never heard of a similar application being refused. With regard to the Coolamon electricity scheme, many consumers were installing fans and had asked for an extended service with an earlier start during the day. He was not prepared to say that the request could be granted and would suggest that the Council leave the matter to the Clerk and himself for decision. The necessary resolution was agreed to and at the suggestion of Cr. Higman, Cr. Thompson and the Clerk were thanked for the services they had rendered at the local government inquiry into the proposed increase of the general rate from 2 shillings to three shillings. *** The health inspectors report was then read. As follows. A case of diphtheria from Ganmain was reported during the month. The usual disinfection was carried out and the required notices served. An inspection of the Ardlethan tin mines area shows the sanitary conditions to be unimproved. It is apparent that only the strongest measures by Council will bring about any improvement there. Notices served by the Council on the mining companies have been totally disregarded. A special report on the housing conditions throughout the Shire is being prepared at the request of the Department of Local Government. *** The Engineers report was then read as follows. Contract curbing and guttering at Ardlethan. A small section of this work has still to be carried out and the contractor, R Ritchie, informs me it will be attended to at an early date when causeways which have been complained about will also receive attention. Regarding the provision of motor lorry. Mr Amos Allen of Coolamon. Is purchasing a motor lorry with a dump body suitable for gravel and metal haulage provided the council will give him any haulage that has to be done, and I recommend that he be offered the carriage on one shilling per cubic yard per mile. The price, of course, is subject to the Council providing suitable loading appliances causing no loss of time in loading. Regarding the road grading. Cr. Cox said he had seen some of the grading work, especially on the Duller Road, he considered it the best work ever done on the roads and moved that £200 for further grading be voted. Replying to Cr. Doubleday, the engineer said that even if the wheat traffic did not break up the graded roads, the thing they were really preparing for was next year's rain. Once the water tables were in order, a light grader could trim them up again. He strongly recommended that the grading be continued. *** Correspondence was then read and dealt with as follows. From George Wieland Wallaroobie re survey of roads for outlets to new settlers criticising the council's inaction in the matter which had resulted in fencing being erected which would have to be removed. Also from Jas. Wales Wallaroobie protesting against the opening of a road which had been surveyed through his property. Cr. Hawthorne Said the letter really referred to the Coolamon roads and he understood the writers were agreeable to the roads going through. He suggested that Cr. Aiken should interview the writers and find out what the difficulty was. The council had battled hard to get the road. The suggestion was agreed to. From the Coolamon Progress Association, asking that another engineer be instructed in the starting and management of the electric light plant. In case the electrical engineer was prevented from attending, the president said the Shire engineer was willing and able to fill the breach. The Progress association would be so informed. The manager of the Bank of NSW at Ardlethan wrote that a box tree, a good tree of its kind, in the street near the bank premises was interfering with his rose culture and the leaves were blocking the guttering from the building. Also, he had a good little Kurrajong which would be a much better tree for the purpose. It was agreed that the trees could be exchanged at the writers expense…’
