Young and old to gather in Cobar from near and far to show incredible community spirit.

Stations near the outback town of Cobar NSW will soon be the focus of a diverse group of Frontier Services Outback Links volunteers who will converge on the town in late June. Thirty church and community volunteers will arrive from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and even South Australia to lend a helping hand for a week.

Included in the group will be three volunteer NRMA mechanics who will donate their time and skills to tackle some much-needed mechanical repairs to vehicles and machinery on the stations.

Teams will work on three properties and a community project painting the Youth Centre, in the Cobar township.

Of the church groups, most are experienced Outback Links volunteers, some have already been on placements this year helping out for a couple of weeks at a time on remote properties when a farmer reaches out for an extra pair of hands.

Community volunteers from the Royal Agricultural Society are keen to help as well. At 19 and 23, they will be the youngest volunteers on the trip and will assist with fencing, painting and helping with cooking. They’ll be working alongside volunteers in their 70s.

We work in consultation with local stakeholders and have met with our Cobar-based Patrol Minister, Rev Jo Smalbil and with representatives from the Cobar Council – Peter Vlatko, General Manager and Garry Ryman, Director of Planning and Environmental Services, to ensure the trip meets farmer and community needs.

“Council is really excited to be able to work with the Outback Links team to paint the ‘Youthie’. It’s a much loved community asset that is desperate need of a facelift. This is a fantastic way to get this project done” said council rep, Angela Shepherd.

NRMA volunteers will be completing mechanical repairs to farm vehicles and equipment on the three properties.

NRMA’s Senior Manager Community Investment Naomi Rowe said the organisation’s involvement reflected the strong community spirit of the NRMA, and its commitment to supporting the sustainability of regional areas.

“I am so proud of our volunteers and their dedication to give back. Their willingness to support communities far from their own makes me feel blessed to play my small part” says Glenn Price, (National Volunteer Program Manager, Frontier Services) who is coordinating the trip.

Frontier Services Cobar-Nyngan Patrol Minister Jo Smalbil, and her husband Louis, will be assisting the whole week, checking in with volunteers, helping with jobs, and collecting supplies.

The trip is run in partnership with Outback Links, NRMA, RAS and Rotary.

If you would like to volunteer or support the work of Frontier Services, go to outbacklinks.com.au/volunteer

Pictured: Lou Smalbil, Glenn Price and Patrol Minister Rev Jo Smalbil in Cobar