Try Poppa’s Famous Fudge
Poppa’s Fudge & Jam Factory is open seven days a week offering a wide range of locally and freshly made jams and chutneys. From melon and ginger to banana jam, there are more than 20 different types to choose from. A huge range of delicate chocolates and tempting lollies, as well as the freshly made fudge, makes it worth a visit. All products are made in store from fresh produce and all products are gluten free. Also on offer is a huge range of giftware and homeware for the ideal present or addition to your home.

Hanging Of The Quilts
Make sure not to miss the Robynette Fabrics Salon’s hanging quilts display during the 68th National Cherry Festival from 1st to 3rd December in the cherry capital of Australia. Robynette have massive discounts on until the New Year. Why not get gift vouchers as Christmas presents? If you cannot make the Cherry Festival, see Robynette Fabrics at Young’s Annual Christmas Boutique Market on 8th and 9th December at the Milard Centre.

Summer Fashion At Tess Clothing
Tess Clothing Boutique at 99 Boorowa Street has a beautiful range of summer fashions. Many clothing labels including Sass clothing that is fresh, fun and oh so pretty, as well as Rare Rabbit, Salt Water, Mary and Marie to name but a few! Do your fashion shopping supporting a local business with reasonable prices.

Style With Friendly Service
Boutique 99 is a newly established ladies fashion business in Young, offering a wide range of ladies clothing and accessories. Anything from formal dresses, summer fun dresses, jewellery and accessories for all sizes and helpful staff.

Unicorns And Fragrant Candles
Fragrance Delight Candles & Giftware stocks handmade natural soy wax candles and melts, essential oil bath bombs, as well as a large range of giftware and salt lamps. For special Christmas presents have a look at the new pom pom unicorn pillows, unicorn key rings/bag chain or unicorn feather plaques. Find a wide range of distinct gifts, including Rudolph Christmas soap!

Aviation Stories In A Truly Historic Aerodrome

The aerodrome at Narromine, 40km west of Dubbo, has recently been upgraded and greatly expanded. A new 500m2 wing has been added, which includes several aircraft, innovative lighting and a large screen for audiovisuals.
The museum, housed in one of Australia’s most historic aerodromes, tells the centurylong story of aviation in the region through memorabilia, photographs and documents.

The story starts in 1919, when the Great Air Race from England to Australia was won by the Smith brothers in their Vickers Vimy. The Department of Defence looked for suitable refuelling places between Darwin and the finishing line in Melbourne, and Narromine was originally the only site selected in NSW. Thousands of spectators turned up at what was then a paddock to see the aircraft land, and the town was instantly on the world aviation map.

Displayed in the museum’s new wing are three aircraft believed to be unique in the world: the only flyable replica of the 1907 Wright Flyer Model A (2005); an original Corben Super Ace homebuilt (1938), and an original Hawkridge Venture glider (1953). Some other exhibits include: 1916-39: The time of the ‘barnstormers’. What is now Australia’s oldest regional aero club hosted such visitors as Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Jean Batten and Arthur Butler, as well as some of the country’s best-known air pageants.

1939-45: War brought flying training units and a top-secret British bomber squadron to town. Of nearly 3,000 pilots trained here, some 30% did not return from the war. 1945-present: The post-war period has seen Qantas pilot training, world-class gliding, a vibrant aero club, and ultra light flying.

You can also see interesting artefacts and collections, including the Narromine Aero Club’s 1930s scrapbook that has survived war and flood. The Vic Hall collection: thanks to Narromine Post Office worker Vic Hall who had a passion for aviation, photography and drawing during the ‘barnstorming’ era of the 1920s and 30s, a rich record of the air visits and pageants of that time were preserved.

The museum is open six days a week from 10am to 4pm (closed Tuesday). Entry is $7 adult, $5 child/pensioner. Contact number 6889 7131 (Museum), or 0407 459 581 Beryl Hartley.

Peak Hill has been named one of Australia’s 50 Top Best Small Towns. The town with a heart of gold, 49km north of Parkes, made it to the list after a monthlong contest run by the online travel agency, Discount My Flights, to find the most irresistible, exotic, historic and postcard-worthy small towns in the country. “It’s a great honour to have Peak Hill recognised as one of the best small towns in the nation,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Councillor Ken Keith.

“Peak Hill is a hidden gem, founded upon a rich history of gold mining. Now that the secret is out, we are proud to share Peak Hill with the rest of Australia,” said the Mayor. “It is not a surprise Peak Hill was selected.” With gold first discovered in 1889, it still attracts visitors to the town with the Gold Mine Open Cut Experience topping the list
of must see attractions.

Residents were very excited about the inclusion on the list saying it would give their town positive publicity. The town, with a population of around 1,400, also offers many other tourist attractions such as a unique nature walk, the
Bogan Weir, Australia’s first upright wheat silo, heritage listed hospital, arts and crafts, the Big Fish Fossil hut, and a unique street facade which takes you back in time.

The first public wheat silo built in Australia was constructed at Peak Hill in 1918 after government surveys found the district had great potential as a wheat producing region. The winning towns gain promotion through various media channels and a coveted badge for their website. Central NSW was well represented in the top 50, with Orange, Lithgow, Blayney, Dubbo and Narromine also making the list.

When we travelled to Condo to meet with the locals we were really pleased with how welcoming and supportive they were, and I have heard this from many people about the great spirit of this town and the other towns in the Lachlan Shire. It is certainly well worth a visit, and if you get there around coffee time why not head to Café Romo, which is a quirky little coffee shop in the main street, with a great friendly atmosphere and most importantly, good coffee.

Other places to drop in for a bite are the Condo RSL which has specials each day of the week in its Bistro as well as offering TAB, Keno and Sky and Fox Channels for the sporting enthusiasts. The next stop should be The Royal Hotel,
owned by a local identity ‘Blue’ Reardon, who you don’t find too often behind the bar, however on the other side chatting to his friends and customers. He is known to introduce any newcomers to the locals as well as the friendly staff. He says it is country hospitality at its best. Blue says he understand what the average punter expects from their local watering hole: cold beer, affordable meals, interactive staff and a great meeting place after a hard day’s work.
The pub now has 22 rooms, 3 bars, a gaming room, TAB and Keno facilities as well as Tasker’s Restaurant, named in
honour of the original owner.

Taskers has fresh seafood delivered every Friday which makes for a gourmet seafood feast, and this includes prawns,
lobsters and a variety of fresh fish. This is a must stop for lunch or dinner and you will not be disappointed. Blue also owns and operates JN Straney & Son Pty. Ltd., which specialises in Livestock sales, rural and residential property
sales, residential property management, auctions and clearing sales. Blue devotes most of his time to livestock sales and his cousin Paddy Reardon specialises in property sales. “There is a lot of change in the farming economy, and this is the best returns I have seen in this industry for over 30 years” Blue said. “I believe the rural property market can only get stronger.”

A newcomer into the Condo main street is Ian Simpson & Co, who are specialising in rural and lifestyle properties. Ian recently changed from Ray White Rural to Ian Simpson & Co in Forbes. Last week Ian Simpson opened his new office in the main street, at 95 Bathurst Street, Condo. Call in and say hello and offer your big Condo welcome to Ian and his team.

Condo also has some unique stores, including Florist La Fleur, which is an amazing find in the main street. Unique, exquisite or just plain amazing, you need to explore this store to see for yourself the tantalising display of stock that is available at Florist La Fleur. When you enter the store, you are immediately hit with so many beautiful scents from candles, diffusers and melts and Florist La Fleur stocks Glasshouse, Circa Home, WoodWick, Koko and Aromabotanicals. Flowers can be arranged for all occasions and delivered to both Lake Cargelligo and Condo.

If you are looking for something a little bit different, there is a large range of bespoke furniture, gifts and homewares to choose from, and they will endeavour to please all taste’s, whether it be rustic, classic or something entirely different. This store is a must stop if you are in Condo. Just along the main street, you will find the Condobolin Swiss Watch Centre, which is a small local jewellery, watch and gift store. Part of the Showcase Jewellers group this allows the Condo Swiss Watch Centre to compete with major chain stores, as well as giving it access to some of the best jewellers in the country. Known as the local watchmakers, they are in a unique position to advise customers
on watch and clock repairs and carry a wide range including Premier Seiko, and Olympic. You will be surprised at their range of gifts, including Royal Doulton figurines, china, crystal, wedding gifts, baby gifts, glassware and much much more.

With a number of motels to choose from, the Allambie Motel should be considered. Just a short 5 minutes from the main street, and having been there for over 50 years, it can meet any needs as well as provide great information about the local district. With a total of 25 rooms it certainly is a convenient and affordable place to stay.
Take the time to visit this amazing Shire, the Lachlan River is now in flood so best to delay for a short while, however it will be worth the drive to visit and see some of the amazing places and scenery just 100 kms from Parkes.

If you are looking to take a short trip, why not consider heading out to the Lachlan Shire, just over 100 kilometres from Parkes. Located in the heart of NSW, it is well known for its natural beauty, friendly and welcoming locals and relaxed bush lifestyle. The Shire encompasses the towns of Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo and Tottenham and the
villages of Tullibigeal, Burcher, Albert and Fifield. ‘Condo’, as it is commonly known is the home of the Karie people, with the lower Lachlan region considered to be the heartbeat of the Wiradjuri Nation.

On the way out to Condobolin, call in and visit the ‘Utes in the Paddock’, an outdoor gallery located 3kms down Mulguthrie Road near Ootha. Various models of Holden utes act as a canvas for the completion of high quality ‘uteworks’ that celebrate bush life in Australia. Lachlan Shire are looking to locate the ‘utes’ to a more high profile location in the near future.

With the amazing night skies, try sleeping under the stars in one of the many caravan parks located in the shire, including Gum Bend at Condo, and Frogs Hollow, at Lake Cargelligo. All towns and villages are RV friendly. In addition, there are a number of motels and hotels which offer accommodation, including the Lake Cargelligo Motel and the Lachlan Way Motel, Lake Cargelligo. The Lachlan Way Motel has 12 rooms and is located at the end of the street overlooking the lake.

The Lake Cargelligo Motel is a small 10 room motel run by local couple Mark and Ingrid Stenhouse and within easy walking distance of the main street and shops. Visitors also have access to a salt water pool. The Commercial Hotel offers hotel style accommodation and $12 special bistro meals every day of the week, if you are feeling hungry.

Lake Cargelligo is an unexpected oasis in central NSW and its beauty and tranquility has remained unspoilt. It’s a perfect place to stop, stay and indulge in a range of wonderful water activities including skiing, sailing, fishing, jet skiing, canoeing and swimming. It is the showpiece of the largest inland lake system in NSW. Part of Lake Cargelligo is a bird sanctuary, making it very popular for bird watching. There are a range of museums in both Condo and Lake Cargelligo, including the Condo Historical Museum, the Condo Railway Museum and the Lake Cargelligo
Historical Society Museum, all well worth a visit.