Their 50th birthday may have slid by quietly in 2022 but behind the scenes the Coonamble Cottage Industries continue to make things happen for the makers and bakers of their district.

Members hope that a new brand and a computerised selling and stock management system will help to reinvigorate interest in the community-owned business.

In 1972 the Coonamble Cottage Industries was conceived as an outlet for locally-created art and craft, and was pushed to reality by local creatives Noni Nixon, Cheryl Ewers and Carolyn Palmer who were seeking to sell their pottery and art work.

As more people came on board they added knitted and sewn items, home cooking and almost anything home-made.

"There was no intention at that stage to buy in commercial stock to re-sell," says member Jenny Swansborough. "That only came about when rent for the premises became too high to be sustained by the commission charged for selling members' goods."

As the membership and leadership changed so did the Cottage Industries with new ideas and enterprises tested - such as a long run of managing a cafe in the premises where Sommo's Toys now resides.

Current President is Jeanette White, who can often be seen behind the counter with her Cottage Industries colleague of 52 years and champion baker, Marie Presnell.

Mrs White says the group are embracing the computerised system and are grateful to Secretary Lois Cain and Treasurer Donna Swansborough for all the work in transferring information and getting it operational.

"It's an easy to learn system, so it will be easy to use once you get into it," Mrs White said.

Members Jeanette White and Marie Presnell with their retail outlet's new brand.

Their new emblem was organised by another member, Joanne Nalder.

"It's very Coonamble," Mrs White said. "We really love it."

The Cottage Industries outlet is also re-setting off the back of a super-busy Christmas sale season.

"We had a great time at Christmas, which is why we're looking for more stock." says Jenny Swansborough. "Throughout the year our best sellers are the Coonamble-specific items.

"Jason McKeown's cheeseboards are heading out the door and so are the coasters with Coonamble nicknames on them.

"Our bags, clocks, aprons, handtowels, wine coolers and babywear are always good sellers.

"But really anything locally made or Coonamble branded is popular, especially with the bus tours who come in."

The Cottage Industries shopfront is currently operated by 16 volunteers and at the moment around 14 local suppliers sell through the outlet, so the group are rightly proud of their role in providing income for creative people in the district for more than half a century.

"New suppliers are always welcome as are new helpers in the shop," Mrs Swansborough said. "If you volunteer for a couple of days the commission you pay on your sales is much lower."

Throughout the years, Coonamble Cottage Industries has stayed true to its original purpose and still provides an outlet for local makers and bakers to sell their creations.

The doors are always open for new contributors to this community-owned enterprise.