Girilambone is a small township located in western New South Wales. Recent years have been tough on the village, with lasting impacts from drought and COVID felt by many. Despite these challenges, the community grew closer and successfully revived the Girilambone Community Association (GCA) in 2020 with the aim of connecting locals and making the town a better place to live.
With the support of a $2,923 Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grant, the GCA has demonstrated how a relatively simple, community-driven initiative can have a profound impact and spark resilience and pride in their remote town.
There was an agreed need for improved communication and connection in the town and so GCA used the grant funds to install a community noticeboard at a central gathering point for locals.
This simple addition now provides Girilambone with an inclusive and reliable source of information and a way of engaging the community. It is helping locals stay informed about events, services and opportunities, which is particularly important in a region where digital connectivity is unreliable, and some residents don’t have mobile phones or access to social media.
Since its installation in October 2024, the noticeboard has proven its value, being used to share critical updates during weather events, promote community gatherings and advertise training opportunities – including a first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course which saw record attendance! By offering a consistent and accessible source of information, the board has helped strengthen social ties and ensure that no one in the community is left behind.
The project also strengthened GCA’s ability to connect with residents and recognise local achievements. Volunteers played a key role in installing the board, which is in a prominent and highly visible position at the Girilambone Post Office, reinforcing its ongoing relevance to the community. Displaying information about the township’s sights and activities, the noticeboard also shows visitors what a special place Girilambone is, encouraging travellers to stop or even spend the night, further contributing to the economic prosperity of the town.
The new noticeboard of Girilambone is a prime example of how small-scale infrastructure, when rooted in community need, can contribute to the success, vibrancy and wellbeing of the town, where information is reliable and accessible and participation in the community grows.
The 2025 round of the Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program opens Wednesday 9 July.
“The noticeboard reflects local pride and identity, with the custom-made aluminium header stating that Girilambone is a Place of Many Stars.”
Patricia Peek, GCA Volunteer