As well as the Arts Centre, Cootamundra Rugby League Football Club, the Cootamundra Strikers and Cootamundra Blues received some funding to help.

The donations from the owners of the Big O, Lola and Keith Daley who reciprocate the support they receive from clubs and groups throughout the year.

“Our contribution to the Arts Centre may be a couple of lights for the lighting grid or for programs,” Mrs Daley said.

Arts Centre director Isabel Scott praised the Daleys for their vital contribution which was important for the community and helped support Cootamundra’s economic growth.

“Keith and Lola are very special people, they are the gems of community,” Mrs Scott said.

“They contribute in a multitude of ways to community health and well being and most importantly, to the economic growth of this place in which we live.”

Mrs Scott said their efforts in the community were examples for others to follow.

“We desperately need younger versions of Keiths and Lolas to step up for the very survival of this town and council region,” Mrs Scott said.

“We need to stop the small box thinking to look at the bigger picture of a positive future.

“Younger entrepreneurs should step into Keith and Lola’s shoes and ask, not what I do for me, but for my community and its survival.”