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LATEST NEWS


FIREARMS REGULATIONS MUST REFLECT RURAL REALITIES
Attendees of the Cootamundra Firearms Roundtable hosted by Steph Cooke MP in Junee. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is calling on the NSW Labor Government to thoroughly consult stakeholders before drafting any regulations concerning firearms and licence holders. In December 2025, firearms legislation was rushed through the NSW Parliament without consultation with key bodies and without the support of the NSW Nationals. These laws have been heavily criticised by prima

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 28


COOTAMUNDRA COMES TOGETHER ON AUSTRALIA DAY
Steph Cooke MP at a community barbecue in Quandialla on Australia Day, 2026. Cootamundra came alive this Australia Day, with local events and gatherings drawing crowds in true Aussie spirit. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, covered more than 300 kms throughout the day, in an effort to celebrate with as many communities as possible. Beginning with the Bland Shire Australia Day Mayoral Reception on Sunday evening, Ms Cooke started Australia Day in Temora at the Australi

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 27


BOOROWA LIONS CLUB NEW SHED ‘THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD’
Steph Cooke MP with members of the Boorowa Lions Clubs outside their new shed. Members of the Boorowa Lions Club are feeling energised after moving into their brand-new shed ahead of a busy 2026. The initial aim for building a new facility was to provide an undercover shelter for the club’s mobile Driver Reviver van. However, the final design has enabled members to store all of their essential items, such as their BBQ trailer. Club President, Barry Miller, said the

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 22


COOTAMUNDRA ELECTORATE RECOGNISES NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING, HONOURING VICTIMS OF BONDI TERRORIST ATTACK
Residents are urged to stand for a Minute’s Silence at 7.01 pm this Thursday, to remember those who were killed in the Bondi terrorist attack. In recognition of the National Day of Mourning, the electorate’s nine councils will fly their flags at half-mast, as well as all Commonwealth and New South Wales Government buildings. Announced by the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, the theme for the National Day of Mourning is ‘Light will win, a gathering of unity a

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 20


COMMUNITIES URGED TO COME TOGETHER THIS AUSTRALIA DAY
Steph Cooke MP at Australia Day celebrations in West Wyalong, 2025. Picture: Tracey Robertson Videography. Residents across the Cootamundra electorate are encouraged to come together this Australia Day to celebrate their shared spirit and local achievements. Australia Day is a time to recognise the people and communities who shape our nation, including the vital contribution of rural Australia. Across the Cootamundra electorate, Councils and community groups have organise

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 20


FRESH START PROGRAM OPENS DOOR FOR LOCAL APPRENTICE
Coolamon Mayor David McCann, heavy vehicle apprentice William Cottom, and Steph Cooke MP. A local apprentice is flourishing in his new role at Coolamon Shire Council, with his position supported by the NSW Government’s Fresh Start Program. William Cottom is a second-year heavy vehicle apprentice from Narrandera, who is gaining hands-on experience servicing and repairing a wide range of equipment, including front-end loaders, compaction rollers, and motor graders. “I a

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 19


TALLIMBA’S HISTORY COMES ALIVE AT VINTAGE HARVEST DAY
Steph Cooke MP with local Laura Messner and event organiser Keith Rowe at the 2026 Tallimba Vintage Harvest Day. Hundreds have descended on the tiny township of Tallimba for a unique glimpse of the Central West’s agricultural history. Organisers of the Tallimba Vintage Harvest Day are celebrating another successful instalment of the beloved event, which reunited the proud farming community after a challenging harvest season. Due to less-than-favourable conditions in th

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 19


GUEST NATION ANNOUNCED AHEAD OF COWRA’S FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
Steph Cooke MP with Club Cowra's Mark McLeish, Cowra Mayor Paul Smith, Cowra Deputy Mayor Nikki Kiss, and Club Cowra's Rebekah Lazarou. All are invited to experience the spirit of the United Kingdom in the heart of Cowra this March at the annual Festival of International Understanding. Celebrating Australia’s diversity since 1964, the three-day event will promote the unique offerings of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, who have been selected as this year’s guest nation

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 16


COWRA WELCOMES NEW COPS, INCLUDING DUAL-SERVING SERGEANT
Cowra’s newest police sergeant is already going above and beyond to keep the community safe by not only policing the town but also serving alongside local firefighters. Sergeant Jason Baker has recently relocated to Cowra from Lake Macquarie. In addition to taking up his new policing role, he has joined the Cowra Fire and Rescue, further strengthening the town’s emergency response capability. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, welcomed Sergeant Baker during a visit to

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 13


BELOVED HARDEN BUSINESS CELEBRATES REOPENING AFTER HAILSTORM DAMAGE
Owners Ros and Glenn Stewart with Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke at the Hard Rock Gym, Harden. Businesses in Harden are recovering from a devastating hailstorm that caused significant damage to commercial and residential buildings last year. Owners of the Hard Rock Gym, Glenn and Ros Stewart, were forced to close their doors temporarily after the February storm caused their ceiling to collapse and water to seep into the floor. During the incident, 40 millimetres of hail and 7

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 12


COOKE REAPPOINTED AS SHADOW MINISTER FOR WATER AND CROWN LANDS
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has been reappointed as NSW Shadow Minister for Water and Shadow Minister for Crown Lands, following yesterday’s announcement of the refreshed NSW Liberals and Nationals Shadow Ministry. Ms Cooke said the reappointment was both an honour and a responsibility at a critical time for the management of water resources and public land across New South Wales. “These portfolios sit at the centre of how our communities grow, adapt and thrive,” M

Steph Cooke MP
Jan 7


NEW POLICE CONSTABLES FOR COOTAMUNDRA ELECTORATE
Tuesday, 23 December 2025 Three Probationary Constables have been deployed to police stations in Cootamundra, Cowra and Temora, strengthening frontline policing and helping to keep local communities safe. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, welcomed the new officers and said it was encouraging to see additional police commencing service across the electorate. Probationary Constables Ryan Holt (Cootamundra), Brody Forster (Temora) and Jasmine Vitagliano (Cowra) have each

Steph Cooke MP
Dec 23, 2025
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