Rural Aid ready to rock in Coolah

Australia’s most trusted rural charity is just days away from kicking off its “Our Towns” makeover week in Coolah.  

More than 50 Rural Aid volunteers will arrive in the central west New South Wales town next week.   Coolah is one of 10 towns chosen to receive $100,000 from Rural Aid to help deliver a range of community-enhancing projects. 

The Rural Aid volunteer team will work on a number of improvement projects while in town, including the Coolah tennis club, recreational showgrounds and swimming club. 

The projects were identified in workshops run by Bank of I.D.E.A.S’ Peter Kenyon, who helped Coolah’s leaders outline the town’s strategy for growth by creating a unique Community Development Plan.

Rural Aid’s Farm and Community Coordinator, Grant Miskimmin, said the week will be full of hard work and community spirit.  

“After two pandemic postponements, it’s looking like the third time will be the charm for Coolah’s Our Towns week! Rural Aid is so excited to visit Coolah that we’ve planned for a few special celebrations too,” Mr Miskimmin said.  

“The Our Towns week is kicking off with a free town concert, put on by the Australian Army Band.” 

“We’d love to see Coolah residents come together for a concert on Saturday, 3 September at the Coolah Central School. 

“We’d be honoured to be welcomed to town by the locals, and can’t wait to meet you all,” Mr Miskimmin said.  

Coolah’s Our Towns week has been made possible by property investment and development company Holdmark. 

Holdmark CEO Sarkis Nassif said the company looks forward to assisting Rural Aid provide critical support to the Coolah community.  

“From fires to drought and the recent floods as well as the ongoing pandemic, the people of Coolah have been through some difficult years,” Mr Nassif said.  

“It is my hope that through our support of Rural Aid, we can help empower the community to build a better future.”  
Coolah locals are encouraged to say hello to Rural Aid’s volunteers, who’ll be working in town and on farms, from 3 September until 10 September.  

The volunteers are staying at the showgrounds.   Locals are also urged to attend the free Australian Army Band concert on Saturday, 3 September.  
The school is putting on a sausage sizzle before the concert kicks off at 7pm.  For more details on the concert, or to RSVP, contact Coolah Central School on (02) 6377 1101 

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au The award-winning Our Towns program is part of Rural Aid’s Stronger Futures initiative.

Rural Aid is heavily invested in strengthening rural communities through its multi-faceted Stronger Futures program- giving locals the resources and confidence needed to help their region thrive.     For interviews or more information, contact Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au