The Cabonne Women Writers will present the winners of their annual writing competitions at a free awards ceremony in Molong. The event will be held from 10.30am on Saturday 7 November at Cobb & Co. Organisers say last year's gathering drew a strong turnout and lively interaction. Treasurer Penelope Hewett praised the high standard of entries and the encouraging feedback from the judge. Java Café will provide catering, and guests can network and share their passion for regional writing.
Nominations are now open for the New South Wales Government's Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, which recognises women and girls who volunteer in regional, rural and remote communities. The program is run by the New South Wales Rural Women's Network. Every eligible nominee is placed on the Honour Roll and receives a certificate of service. Women aged 18 and over can self-nominate or be nominated by others, while a parent or guardian must submit nominations for girls under 18. Submissions for the 2026 Honour Roll close on 31 December.
Beauty therapist Brodie Taylor has opened Cabonne Beauty Co at a new Bank Street location in Molong. She previously worked from a room at the rear of Glosse hair salon after moving her services to Molong three months ago. Ms Taylor, who has seven years of industry experience, says she wants clients to leave feeling better than when they arrived. The salon offers brow, lash, waxing, tinting and nail treatments, with spray tanning to be introduced shortly and pedicures planned later. Ms Taylor said the Molong community has been strongly supportive of local small businesses.
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An online map shows 21 registered defibrillators across Cabonne towns, including Eugowra, Cudal, Manildra, Yeoval, Cumnock, Canowindra and Molong. NSW Ambulance chief executive Clare Beech said each minute without CPR cuts a cardiac arrest patient's survival chance by seven to 10 per cent. A new GoodSAM CPR playlist on Spotify matches songs to the recommended compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute. People aged 18 and over can register as GoodSAM responders without formal CPR qualifications. Device access varies, and map listings may be incomplete or outdated.
New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley attended an afternoon tea hosted by the Molong Country Women's Association. She visited members on Sunday 18 October, before the branch's official 100th birthday event in November. Branch president Helen Williams said members were thrilled and very surprised by the visit. The Governor was invited both in her role as state governor and as CWA patron. The afternoon featured scones with jam, slices, sandwiches, tea and coffee, giving members an informal chance to speak with her.
Cabonne communities have a busy run of events ahead. Cumnock's Family Fun Day on 17 October offers live music, market stalls, coach rides and a mechanical bull. The Australian National Field Days, held from 22 to 24 October at Borenore, features around 400 exhibitors and tickets from $10. Christmas shopping nights are set for Eugowra, Canowindra and Molong, while Manildra hosts a Christmas party on 16 December with fireworks. Weekly library storytimes, playgroups and regular monthly markets also run across the shire.
Molong Early Learning Centre is urgently recruiting qualified educators to fill several vacancies, with more than 70 children on its waiting list. Service director Shanie Duncan said the not-for-profit centre is not at risk of closing, but ongoing staffing shortages could force it to reduce enrolments if mandatory educator-to-child ratios cannot be met. Ms Duncan said workforce shortages across the sector, along with travel distances and fuel costs in regional areas, have made recruitment harder. The centre, established in 1972, is Molong's only long day care facility and plans to introduce a trainee in the coming year.
Molong will become part of New South Wales' emergency response network, with Fire and Rescue NSW deploying one of three new bulk water transfer units there. The $3.89 million investment in pumping systems and transport vehicles aims to strengthen responses to major fires and floods. Each Hytrans unit can pump up to 8000 litres of water a minute over a kilometre of hose, and draw water from depths of up to 60 metres. Other units are based at Bangalow and Albury. An earlier model cleared floodwater from Kempsey's main streets during the May 2025 Mid North Coast floods.
Country beat Molong Magpies by 145 runs in the local derby at the Rec in round two of the Molong District Cricket Association competition. Henry Hickson scored 88 for Country, and Robbie Heath and Henry Hickson each took three wickets for the winners. Magpies were bowled out for 98. In other round two matches, Lyndhurst beat Cudal by seven wickets, and Gumble beat premiers Canowindra by one wicket. Country lead the Oilsplus ladder.
The Molong Marlins community swimming club has launched a summer sponsorship program to help local children from families facing financial hardship take part in swimming. Backers are being sought to fund $250 sponsorships, and assistance will be kept confidential. Club president Kane Bird said the program lets children swim, stay active and spend time with friends without a financial burden on their families. About 100 swimmers aged five to 17 take part, including in weekly Saturday carnivals against neighbouring clubs. Training starts on Monday 2 November, with registration fees expected to be $120.
Aqua Fitness classes are set to return to pools in Molong, Manildra, Cumnock, Yeoval and Cudal. The low-impact program uses water resistance to build strength, mobility and cardiovascular health without straining joints. Local volunteers will first train in Dubbo to become instructors or refresh their qualifications. The sessions are free, though attendees pay standard pool admission. Anyone aged 16 or older can join after registering in advance.
Molong local Amy Cassell is tackling a 200-kilometre walking challenge this October to promote mental health awareness. Ms Cassell says her health journey has involved grief, mental health struggles and learning self-compassion. She says walking, healthier eating and seeking help have helped her, and she is now in remission from borderline personality disorder. She is taking part in the One Foot Forward challenge to support the Black Dog Institute, which funds mental health research and programs. Donations can be made through her fundraising page.
Geoff and Colina Tonkin have run green woodworking courses near Molong since 2011. Students make Windsor chairs and stools from freshly cut timber, using traditional hand tools and no electricity. Participants range from beginners to an architect and a qualified carpenter, with the oldest attendee aged 89. Women now make up about 30 per cent of participants. The chairs use stringybark for legs and stretchers, with seats carved from local timber such as elm, ash or camphor laurel. The April 2027 workshop is already fully booked.
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Molong Hockey Club will return its popular twilight competition this summer after a four-year absence caused by the 2022 floods. The club starts its 2026–27 season in late October at the new Molong Hockey Turf at the Molong Showground. Players can choose a Sunday first-grade competition with full 11-a-side mixed games or a Wednesday social competition with modified rules for beginners. Both cost $80 per player. Treasurer Linda Milne said the return was a long time coming and thanked Cabonne Council and local groups for their support.
A driver died after a single-vehicle crash on the Mitchell Highway south of Wellington in New South Wales. Emergency crews were called to the site near Apsley at about 4am on Thursday 15 October. The vehicle had left the road and come to rest in a ditch. The driver died at the scene despite efforts by paramedics. Police have set up a crime scene and are investigating the cause, with a report to go to the Coroner. Northbound lanes between Molong and Burrendong Way are closed.
Cabonne communities have a busy run of events ahead. Cumnock's Family Fun Day on 17 October offers live music, market stalls, coach rides and a mechanical bull. The Australian National Field Days, held from 22 to 24 October at Borenore, features around 400 exhibitors and tickets from $10. Christmas shopping nights are set for Eugowra, Canowindra and Molong, while Manildra hosts a Christmas party on 16 December with fireworks. Weekly library storytimes, playgroups and regular monthly markets also run across the shire.
Molong Central School's Year 12 graduates are preparing for university, apprenticeships, or local jobs. Deputy principal Carl Thorne praised their sustained effort and diverse aspirations, with some already accepted into courses like education and health. Many plan to stay in the region, with nearby Charles Sturt University campuses a popular choice. Thorne highlighted the school's focus on personalised pathways for each student.
Sarah Fessey and Michelle Tredinick won the pairs championship at Molong Bowling Club on Saturday 10 October. They beat Alex Weekes and Gus Weekes in the afternoon final after earlier defeating Ian Gosper and Margot Brown in the semi-finals. On Sunday, the over and under 60s competitions opened with their first rounds. In the under 60s division, Les Hoppa and Luke Neil beat Kaleb Weekes and Jett Weekes, and Sarah Fessey and Steven Shannon beat Jason Drew and Nathan Neuenhaus.
