Barmedman News Lock Stock and Bingle is playing at the Bowling Club on Saturday 1st August. Everyone welcome for a great night out. *** Former Barmedman resident Robyn Clarke accompanied by friends Margaret and Cath, travelled from Wagga to attend the Mornings, Memories and Melodies morning tea held at the Craft and Coffee shop last week. They enjoyed catching up with friends in Barmedman and purchasing items from the pre-loved shop. Memories were stretched with the 1960’s 70’s trivia questions, everyone receiving a prize in the Bingo round. A delicious morning tea was enjoyed along with lots of laughter. The next morning tea will be held on Monday 17th August. *** Saturday 1st August is designated as the Horses Birthday and also wattle day. It is well worth a visit to the countryside to view the wattle in bloom along with the golden canola. *** Many in the community will be interested to hear that Denis McDermott celebrated his 80th birthday last week and is enjoying good health. Denis advised that former Barmedman policeman Brian Halloran has turned 90 and has had to move into Aged Care in Canberra. Coolamon News Coolamon Shire Council has raised concerns after rural properties in the west of the Shire appeared as “yellow‑mapped” in the State’s Draft Native Vegetation Regulatory Map, prompting fears about future land‑use restrictions. Council’s General Manager and the Mayor met with local MP Steph Cooke to highlight the lack of consultation. The mapping falls under the Land Management and Biodiversity Conservation framework, involving DCCEEW, Local Land Services and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust. Council urges landowners to check their classifications and review information on each agency’s website. The map remains in draft form, and Council will continue advocating to protect local livelihoods. *** A refreshed Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) Youth & Community Development Working Group met on 22 July, bringing together representatives from across the region, including Coolamon Shire Council’s Community Development Officer, Molly Campbell. The first face‑to‑face meeting generated strong momentum as members began shaping regional youth initiatives and leadership programs planned for 2027 and beyond. The group collaborates to develop shared approaches, strengthen local practice and create meaningful opportunities for young people in every member council area. With enthusiasm high and planning underway, the Working Group signalled an exciting new chapter for youth engagement across the Riverina. *** Community Connections opened at Lush Creative Galleries in Ganmain with a strong crowd of artists and art enthusiasts. Mayor David McCann formally launched the exhibition, praising the fantastic partnership between Lush Galleries and Northcott. The showcase, supported by the Broinowski Foundation, highlights the creative achievements of artists with disability and reflects the deep collaboration fostered through Northcott’s programs. The event’s success underscored the community’s enthusiasm and the strength of this valued relationship. *** Coolamon Shire Council has opened registrations for the 2026 Hard Waste Collection, running 24–28 August. Residents must book and comply with strict limits, including a maximum of 2 cubic metres per household and items liftable by two people. Non‑compliant or unbooked waste will not be collected. Full details are available on Council’s website. *** Entries for the 2026 Up2Date Art Exhibition close on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The committee advises that entries may close earlier if the 350-artwork limit is reached. *** Riverina Regional Library has launched a “Bring a Friend, Choose Your Own Adventure” referral competition, with Coolamon Shire Library among participating branches. New members who nominate a referrer earn both parties an entry in the prize draw. Rewards include a $250 Riverina Adventure Sports voucher, a $75 cinema voucher and a Junee Licorice & Chocolate hamper. Memberships must be validated before 31 August 2026, promoting community engagement and highlighting the benefits of joining the local library network. *** News from the Coolamon Shire Library this week includes: Storytime 2026. Our next Storytime will be held this Friday 31st July @ 10.30am theme – “Lions”- Everyone is most welcome. Join the Library. The Library is holding a membership drive throughout July and August. Invite a friend or family member to join or become a member yourself. Membership is free, and all new members and referring friends will go into the draw to win three major prizes. To join call into the Library or join online – follow the link www.rrl.nsw.gov.au Local Government Week. The Library is celebrating Local Government Week again this year. Local Government Week is designed to showcase the work councils do in their communities. The Library will be offering “Storytime on the Road” – visiting Ardlethan and Ganmain Preschools. Also “Storytime with the Mayor” will be held on Friday , 7th August @ 10.30am – everyone is most welcomed. Lego Club. Lego Club will commence again on Wednesdays from 4.00pm – 5.00pm and then on Saturday at 10.30am – 11.30am. Everyone is most welcome to attend. The Coolamon Library is on Facebook. News, pictures, events and opportunities are regularly uploaded – join us now. Coolamon From Our Past From Our Past returns to the pages of the Coolamon–Ganmain Farmers Review, once again offering readers a window into the events that shaped life in our district a century ago. In July 1926, the local public school benefited from a notable donation, and new classes in Women’s Handicraft were introduced to the curriculum. Matters before the local Court, along with changes in the business community, also featured prominently in the news during this week one hundred years ago. *** ‘…The Parents and Citizens' Association on Tuesday handed over to the Public school a cheque for £120, of which £100 is to be applied in the furnishing of a gymnasium for the children of the town, and the balance for other school equipment. The money resulted from a ball and a belle competition, organised by the association. *** On Friday night Coolamon music lovers received a treat at the Scottish concert, promoted by the Coolamon Caledonian Society, when such talented artists as Mr. and Madame Gregor Wood, Miss Jennie Cree, Mr. Ad Cree, Miss C. Ritchie, and Mr. Paterson, the recognised champion national dancer of Australia, appeared on the programme. The concert was one of the most musical treats heard in Coolamon for some time; but the attendance was not large, because of the very bad state of the roads, and a sharp shower of rain just before six o’clock. *** Mrs. George Iverach, who has not been experiencing the best of health for some time, went to Sydney on the advice of Dr. Buchanan, and visited a specialist, with the result that she underwent a serious operation last week. The latest report is that she is doing as well as can be expected. The operation was successful. *** The Coolamon Golf Club held an 18 hole stroke competition last Wednesday, when Mr. G. Iverach, with a good 70 nett, collected the trophy. Mr. C. Iverach was second, 72. The ladies visited the Leeton Golf Associates on July 6, making the trip, and were victorious by five matches. *** Mr. Andrew Dreaskovitch, of Sydney, has purchased the green grocery and confectionary business carried on by Mrs. A. Hay, Messrs. A. W. Stinson being the agents. *** At the Coolamon Police Court on July 29, before Mr. J. B. Gibson, P.M., Michael Healey was fined 10/ and 8/ costs for neglecting to surrender a certificate of registration and a number plate of a motor vehicle. Ethel May Marks proceeded against Walter Curry for an ejection order for house and land situated on the Wagga road. Mr. Palmer appeared for the complainant. Defendant consented to an order being made, but asked for time to vacate, as his wife was sick, and he had a wheat crop on the land. Mr. Palmer stated defendant had paid no rent since February, and a notice to quit had expired in June. The magistrate made an order for a warrant to issue for the ejection of the tenant, effective August 6th and 7th. G. A. Fiddes was fined 2s 6d, with costs and witnesses’ expenses, for carrying a firearm on Sunday on the Cowabbie road, and 2s 6d, 8s, and witnesses’ expenses for not carrying a license. Constable Ramon said accused was driving in a sulky with a shotgun in full view. In the Children's Court a lad was fined 1/ with 8/ costs and 5/ witnesses expenses for carrying firearms on a Sunday. *** The recently resuscitated Coolamon Rifle Club held a practice shoot at the local range over the week-end, when there was a fair attendance of old and new members. The conditions were seven shots at 200 yards. The scores were:—H. Easlick 34, T. Gunther 33, D. J. Hunerkoch 32, W. Smith 31, F. Davies 31, J. Macartney 31, J. Pizarro 30, F. A. Seckold 29, I. Nestrom 26, A. Marks 21, R. Stevenson 21, W. Hennessy 20, P. Smith 18, A. Black 14. The club has been promised a big influx of members. *** Commencing with this month needlework has been added to the course of instruction at the local public school. The classes are under the direction of Miss Irene Cook, a specially trained teacher of Women's Handicraft. Miss Cook was recently transferred from Lidcombe to Coolamon and Junee to inaugurate the classes at these schools. The whole of the needlework from lowest to the highest classes will now be taught by Miss Cook. This latest addition to the curriculum gives the senior girls a complete course in Household Arts. They are already receiving instruction in Business Principles and Bookkeeping from Miss Grant, whilst Miss Croft conducts lessons in Cookery, Laundry, Home Management, Hygiene (personal and domestic), Care of the Sick and Care of the Infant. Apart from these Domestic Subjects they are receiving the usual cultural course. The school is fortunate in having the services of four specialists in Miss Cook, Miss Croft, Miss Grant and Mrs. Wilks…’
