Last Friday’s announcement the Manildra plant would close indefinitely as of Friday, February 24 rocked our community.
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The plant has long been Cootamundra’s largest employer and its closure results in 220 jobs lost.
In a town the size of Cootamundra where jobs are hard to come by and positions do not sit vacant long, ripping 220 places out of the employment landscape leaves a huge hole.
If a silver lining can be found it is that people are putting their hands up to help.
Former local Matt Tutty has offered his resume writing expertise free of charge to all Manildra employees affected by the closure.
Mr Tutty is the founder of Resumes to You and is keen to offer his skills.
With Cootamundra riding on the coattails of the agricultural industry it is positive to see producers reaping top dollar for stock, however a balance has to be found which allows meat to be processed and end up on the dinner plates of people across the country and the world.
There is no immediate indication the stock price bubble will burst with it having been climbing steadily so a solution will have to be found.
Away from the Manildra closure, Cootamundra hosted its biggest annual event, the Coota Beach Volleyball Carnival and it could not have been a bigger success.
This year was the biggest ever with 125 teams taking to eight courts.
It was two days of non-stop high-energy action, all coordinated by a small but dedicated committee of volunteers.
The committee is always looking for new volunteers and with no member under 30-years of age, it may be time for the young people who enjoy the carnival so much to step up and lend a hand to ensure it can continue into the future.
The same weekend as hundreds flocked to Coota Beach, a convoy of hay-laden trucks was making its way to fire-raved Dunedoo all thanks to the enthusiasm of two ordinary blokes Cootamundra calls their own, Paul Manwaring and Andrew Glover.
They saw a need and being can-do fellas they swung into action. Within a week from dreaming up the hay run they were on the road with upwards of 70 trucks delivering hundreds of tonnes of hay.
This weekend, the community is once again helping one of their own with a large turnout expected for the Jack Raleigh Fundraiser at the Family Hotel.