ALWAYS UP TO DATE

Coolamon’s Up-To-Date Store was once the bustling centre of village life. Thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers the heritage listed store has been transformed to become a place where history meets the modern world. 

“This device is a Lamson Cash Machine,”says volunteer Dave McCann, gesturing to a strange contraption. “It was the cash register of the day back in the 1800’s. The shop assistant would put the customer’s cash and docket inside this ball and pop the ball into this basket. They’d pull the lever and the ball would roll through the tunnel until it reached the cashier who would put the change into the ball and roll it back the assistant. Transaction completed!” 

It’s a fascinating glimpse into history and just a taste of what the Up-To-Date Store Cultural Precinct offers. “The store began with the town in the late 1800’s,” Dave relates. “Starting as a shanty, it grew to contain everything people needed to survive.” 

The building fell into disrepair in the 1980’s, serving as a junk shop until it was purchased by Coolamon Shire in the late 1990’s. The building has since been restored to house an RSL Memorial Museum and the collections of seemingly ordinary local people with extraordinary talents. 

“Reg Godde was a farmer with no engineering skills who made miniature farm machinery that still works today,” Dave says. 

“Mavis Furner was a prolific crochet artist who held fashion shows that were loved by her community, and Garth Jones was a farmer and collector of absolutely everything – particularly farm machinery. He was also the proud owner of 1000 irons! These people are remembered by many folks in town and retaining their collections is incredibly important.” 

The Up-To-Date Store Cultural Precinct is also a hub for community events and now includes a multi-purpose function centre for conferences, a café, outdoor stage and exhibition space. 

“It’s taken many years to get this place to where it is now,” Dave smiles. “We’re very proud of it.”