Proprietor of the White Rose Cafe at Ariah Park, Gurpreet Kaur, commonly known as just "Preet”, is celebrating 10 years in Ariah Park running the Ariah Park Community Cafe. In 2008, the Ariah Park Cafe closed down for months after the previous owners just walked away. After three public meetings, the Ariah Park community raised enough funds to buy the Cafe and refurbish it ready to use again. The White Rose Cafe reopened in 2009, and Preet is the third lessee of the business, starting her time in 2016. Preet has been in Australia since 2008 and worked in other cafe type establishments before moving to Ariah Park. With husband Kulu working in Western Sydney, Preet has run the White Rose Cafe on her own, while looking after her two sons, Jay and Avi. The boys have been well received at Ariah Park Central School, and Preet is very proud this year after Jay was elected school captain. Jay now helps his mother at the cafe when not involved with school. It hasn't always been clear sailing for Preet, and there was a long battle to secure a Permanent Visa in Australia back in 2021/22, with many thanks to local Federal Member, Michael McCormack, for his assistance. Preet works very hard at the White Rose, running a very clean and efficient business, she always has a smile on her face, and loves dealing with both locals and passing travellers. Preet has regular coffee groups on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, while others call in for coffee after their time at the local Physiopark. Ariah Park post mistress, Lyndall Judd, has Preet on speed dial for potato cake emergencies with all varieties of salt. Preet navigates a maelstrom of personalities and remembers their likes and dislikes like a physician. Lyndall says Preet is 10 times the human most of us could ever hope to be. Mother. Full time worker. Community Icon. Recognised as having the best Steak Sandwich in the Riverina, we hope Preet looks after us for many more years to come. Ardlethan News This week is Men’s Health Week, and to mark the occasion and highlight our film night, Tom and his team of volunteers have revitalised an old dead tree within the showground precinct, by painting it a vibrant blue, with paint courtesy of Wattle Paints. Our trusty group of volunteers also spent time sprucing up the showgrounds in readiness for our “Just a Farmer” film night, so we owe a debt of gratitude to Warakirri, GrainCorp, LDC and other kind individuals who put up their hands and volunteer every time they are asked to help out. Annual Street Stall Help us raise much-needed finds towards the upkeep and refurbishment of our beloved pavilion at the showground by supporting the Show Society at our annual street stall on Friday 26 June, starting at around 9am. Tickets in our monster raffle are selling like the proverbial “Hot Cakes” That’s because there are heaps of prizes that includes not just one trailer load of firewood, but two. Tickets are available for sale at Delta, The Ardlethan Bowling Club, Ardlethan Post Office and London Hotel and on the day of the stall. Yummy Home-Made Fare will be on sale as well so don’t be disappointed, make sure you get in early for good old-fashioned cakes, slices, soups, plants, preserves and jams, just to name a few. Barmedman News The Regional Mobile Library will be in Barmedman on Friday 19th June in front of the Barmedman school 9.30 to 11am. Everyone is welcome to visit. *** This weekend sees the Southern Hemisphere Winter Solstice or shortest days of the year. This event occurs when the Southern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun. *** The Barmedman Bowling Club is holding a Ladies Day High Tea and Mimosas on Sunday 21st June from 11.30-1pm. Bookings at $70.00 can be made by ringing the club on 69762088 or check details on the club website. Everyone is welcome. *** The Craft and Coffee Shop will be holding a general meeting on Tuesday 23rd June commencing at 3pm. New volunteers are most welcome and for current members, $15.00 membership is due in July. *** With winter now with us it is a timely reminder to check that your smoke alarms are working and replace the batteries if they are not. Coolamon News Coolamon Shire Council has welcomed the NSW Government’s $470 million decision to remove emergency‑service fleet ownership and depreciation costs from council balance sheets — a reform the Council has pursued for many years. From 2027, more than 6,000 RFS vehicles will transfer to State ownership, easing a long‑standing financial strain on rural councils and modernising fleet management across NSW. Council says the reform is a significant step forward but not the end of the job. The Emergency Services Levy remains unresolved, with ratepayers still carrying the full cost despite more than 40% of NSW land being exempt. Council maintains that fire and flood affect all landholders and that funding must be shared fairly. Advocacy for a more equitable ESL model will continue. *** Coolamon Shire Council has endorsed its Draft Delivery Program 2026–2030 and Operational Plan 2026–2027 at its June meeting, following a period of public exhibition. The adopted plans set a clear course for responsible financial management while continuing to deliver the services and infrastructure valued by local residents. “We are committed to living within our means and ensuring Coolamon Shire remains financially sustainable,” Mayor Cr David McCann said. The plan maintains Council’s long‑standing focus on minimising rate rises by tightly managing expenditure, improving efficiencies and aligning investment with community priorities. The endorsed documents outline cost‑effective delivery of roads, community facilities, environmental programs and essential services, supported by transparent budgeting and clear performance measures. Council’s disciplined approach ensures high‑quality services can be maintained without placing unnecessary pressure on ratepayers, reinforcing its commitment to prudent stewardship and long‑term community wellbeing. *** Ardlethan’s Tin Mine Fund Committee has recommended more than $30,000 in grants for local community projects following its latest assessment round. Demand once again exceeded available funds, leaving several worthy proposals unfunded. Successful projects include the Ardlethan Skyshed Pod ($3,000), CWA Kitchen Upgrade ($2,993), Showground Re‑Creation Stage One ($10,000), and improvements at Beckom Hall ($6,000). The Ardlethan Central School P&C will receive $2,828.95 for student activities, while the Tennis Club has been allocated $5,697.90 toward facility upgrades. Council acknowledged the continued financial support of the Ardlethan Tin Mine, which will provide $45,000 for distribution next year. The committee’s recommendations were endorsed at the June Council meeting. *** Coolamon Shire Council has welcomed the NSW Government’s $470 million decision to remove emergency‑service fleet ownership and depreciation costs from council budgets, describing it as a long‑awaited boost for financial sustainability. The reform will see more than 6,000 RFS vehicles transferred to State ownership from 2027, aligning responsibility with operational control and easing a burden rural councils have carried for decades. But the core funding problem remains unresolved. The Emergency Services Levy continues to fall solely on ratepayers, despite a large proportion of NSW land being exempt. Coolamon Shire Council maintains that emergency services benefit all landholders and that the funding model must reflect this. Council will continue its strong advocacy for a fair, equitable ESL that shares the cost across the whole community. *** Entries have officially opened for the 2026 Up2Date Art Exhibition, one of the Riverina’s most recognised annual arts events. The exhibition, now entering its 22nd year, will return to the historic Up‑to‑Date Store precinct in Coolamon as part of the wider Yield Festival program. Organisers have confirmed that the 2026 theme is “Reimagined”, inviting artists to explore bold reinterpretations of ideas, forms and perspectives. In a significant development for the event, a new Sculpture category has been added to the prize lineup, joining the Open Art Prize, Themed Section, Veterans Prize, High School and Primary School sections, People’s Choice Award, and the Coolamon Shire Council Acquisition Prize. Artists have until Monday 10 August 2026 to submit their entries, although the committee has noted that entries may close earlier if submissions exceed 350 artworks — a threshold reached in previous years as the exhibition continues to grow in popularity. The Up2Date Art Exhibition typically attracts around 350 artists and draws approximately 3,000 visitors to Coolamon each year, contributing both culturally and economically to the region. All proceeds support local public schools in Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong and Marrar. The 2026 exhibition will run from 29 August to 13 September, with Opening Night scheduled for Friday 28 August. *** News from the Coolamon Shire Library this week includes: Storytime 2026 The next Storytime will be held today, Friday 19th June at 10.30am theme “Bathtime”. New families are most welcome to attend. Baby Bounce Our monthly Baby Bounce session will be held Wednesday, 24th June at 10.30am. Morning tea will be provided, and older children are most welcome to attend. National Simultaneous Storytime During this week the Library will be celebrating National Simultaneous Storytime. The year’s book is called “Luna Roo- the kangaroo Baller” written by Adam Jackson. Several schools and preschools will be visiting the Library. 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. Lego Club Lego Club will be held each Wednesday from 4.00pm – 5.00pm. Then on Saturdays, at 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. NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge The Library is again involved in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2026. The Library has a wide variety of books for children to make their selections. Phone the Library for further details – 69272492. The Coolamon Library is on Facebook. News, pictures, events and opportunities are regularly uploaded – join us now!
