Coolamon has been holding its annual Yield Festival for more than 20 years and on Friday night, 28 August the 2026 festival at the Up-to-Date Store was launched with plenty of art, music and food on hand for the large crowd that gathered. The launch was also the opening of the combined art and photography exhibitions. Once held as separate events the combined competition attracted more than 700 entries, more than 300 photographs and 435 works of art, which was an all-time record for both competitions. Entries came from as far afield as the Central Coast and Lightning Ridge. Coolamon Shire Council mayor David McCann said the festival and opening night demonstrate the importance of arts and culture in strengthening community connections and attracting visitors. “It is wonderful to see these two exhibitions combine to mark the launch of the Yield Festival,” Cr McCann said. “Together they showcase the extraordinary creativity in our shire, while also drawing visitors to our region and celebrating what makes our community unique. “The Yield Festival is a chance for us to celebrate our makers and thinkers and to share Coolamon Shire’s vibrant creative spirit with the wider Riverina. “It’s a credit to the organisers who put this together with the team at council looking after the photography exhibition and the art committee looking after the art side of things. “All funds raised from the art exhibition are donated back to local schools, so that's very pleasing and a great community effort on their behalf.” The exhibition will run until 4 October.
