On Sunday the 2nd of June, Reg and Olive Ryan will open their doors to mark 50 years inside the ‘Most Haunted House in Australia’ the famous Monte Cristo in Junee. Reg and Olive Ryan moved into the haunted house 50 years ago after feeling drawn to the historical building. When they arrived at their new home there were no doors, no electricity, no running water and no windows. However, there were plenty of spirits inside! Monte Cristo has been dubbed ‘Australia’s Most Haunted House’. Its spooky reputation has derived from hundreds of reports from visitors and tenants of paranormal activity. So what walks the halls of Monte Cristo? It is said that constructor Christopher William Crawley and his wife Elizabeth Crawley haunt their beloved homestead. There have been numerous reports of gho... Read full blog post

On Friday the 24th of May, Riverina residents gathered at the Junee Reefs Hall to celebrate the official launch of the Junee Heritage Trails. The three trails, which run across the Junee shire, explore the fascinating heritage of Junee with a particular focus on the history of gold, railways and bushrangers. Local residents and visitors to the shire will now be able to do a self-guided tour, which will be complemented with brochures and interpretive signage along the fascinating trails. The launch on Friday marked the beginning of the heritage trails project with a second stage in the initial developments. ‘For the second stage we aim to secure funding to do an audio application so as people are driving they can listen to some of the stories from our locals and bring it to life, ’ sai... Read full blog post

On Sunday the 7th of April over 2000 people flocked to Junee to buy, sell and swap! The Junee Showground was picketed with stalls as approximately 160 swappers gathered to grab a bargain! With over 140 cars rolling into town, visitors enjoyed having a look at some of the Riverina’s finest cars, in the Show n Shine.  Visitors thoroughly enjoyed the day, buying, selling and swapping their once beloved goods for new second hand treasurers. The Junee Swap Meet aimed to raise money for the Junee Motor Club and it achieved just that, raising approximately $15,000. The money raised will go towards the Motor Clubs initiative to hold more exciting events in the area. Some that are in the pipeline include, a staged burn out event! The Junee Motor Club are also raising funds to have a driver tra... Read full blog post

Ladies it’s time to dust those ball dresses off and it’s time to suit up men! The Junee Reefs Gold Mines Ball is on Friday the 12th of April 8pm at the Junee Reefs Hall! Enjoy live music, good food and great company at this year’s Junee Reefs Gold Mines Ball. Griffith band, ‘Jaikomothief’ will be performing at this year’s historic ball so whip out your dancing shoes and get ready to burn a whole in the dance floor! The Junee Reefs Gold Mines Ball celebrates Junee unique gold mining history. In the late 1860’s Junee struck gold, discovering reefs and alluvial gold, which led to a gold rush. The discovery of gold made Junee a popular destination and it is what shaped the Junee Township. The Junee Reefs Gold Mines Ball was established as a celebration of this golden heritage. The Junee ... Read full blog post

The 26th annual Illabo Country Music Stampede will be held from Thursday the 18th of April to Sunday 21st of April!  Get your camping gear ready, collect your firewood and get ready to sit around the campfire and sing some country tunes! The Illabo Country Music Stampede is designed as a platform for local country music talent to perform in a Talent Quest style festival. Country music performers will battle it our to win the special prize of four hours recoding time at The Flying Fox Studios Wagga Wagga, to help them on their rise to fame. The talent quest is open to all ages! So whether you’re young, old or in-between there is a category for you! Categories include; Veterans (50 years and over), Vocal Sub Junior (6-12 years), Vocal Junior (13-17 years), Vocal Senior, Australian Bush ... Read full blog post

    In 1866 the historic town of Junee had a supposed recorded population of twelve! In the later 1860’s when the town struck gold, it generated a population boom! The discovery of reef and alluvial gold triggered a gold rush, which drove people to relocate to Junee in the hopes of striking it rich!   The main sites for gold in Junee were Old Junee which is to the west, the Junee Reefs which was named after it’s gold and Illabo. People came from all over to mine gold in Junee and the discovery made Junee a popular destination.   Interestingly, Junee was a well-known town in NSW for gold mining when it first came to public fame for it’s gold supply in 1868. At that time the area of country north of Gundagai and east of Young were marked as areas without gold on the map. Unfortunate... Read full blog post

 Looming on top of a hill overlooking the friendly town of Junee is a double story late Victorian Manor known as Monte Cristo Homestead. Constructed by local pioneer Christopher William Crawley in 1885 the Manor is a stunning building and a key feature of the historical town of Junee. The building itself is breathtaking but what lies within Monte Cristo is truly intriguing…   Monte Cristo has been dubbed ‘Australia’s Most Haunted House’. Its spooky reputation has derived from hundreds of reports from visitors and tenants of paranormal activity. So what walks the halls of Monte Cristo? It is said that constructor Christopher William Crawley and his wife Elizabeth Crawley haunt their beloved homestead. There have been numerous reports of ghostly figures, strange lights, invisible force ... Read full blog post

 On Saturday the 2nd of February, Junee hosted their second annual Junee Poker Run and Blues Night at the Junee Golf Club. The night was a fantastic success with a great attendance and a significant amount of money raised for local charities.   More than 400 bike enthusiasts roared through Junee on Saturday the 2nd of Febirary to attend the Junee Poker Run and Blues night. This year, the event was held at the Junee Golf Club, which was a great venue for a fantastic night.   The event raised approximately $15,00 for Can Assist Cancer Network, which is a grass roots, community based charity dedicated solely to supporting country people affected by cancer and their families. The Poker Run and Blues Night also raised $1,600 for the local Volunteer Rescue Association, which is a fantasti... Read full blog post

    The 2013 Junee Rhythm n Rail Festival was a great success! The festival exceeded expectations by attracting over 3,000 people to Junee, 40 market stallholders, regional media and showcased a wealth of local talent. The festival brought out the strong community spirit of the Junee Shire and successfully promoted the beautiful town of Junee and its unique rail heritage.   In its third year, the Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival continues to grow and impress neighboring communities, demonstrating the success a festival can bring to local tourism.  The Festival endeavored to showcase the picturesque town of Junee to a variety of visitors and it achieved just that. With a large number in attendance and a wealth of media coverage Junee was on the tip of everyone’s tongue, with media prai... Read full blog post

Today we salute Junee entrepreneurs Alan and Diane Tucker who after a light bulb moment began working to add a fabulous business to Junee’s and the Riverina’s suite of accommodation.  The Junee Railway Carriage B & B vision came to the couple when they realised that the Red Rattler railway carriage they had converted to accommodate their six grandchildren on visits to their property was left empty most of the time. They set about refurbishing and converting the carriage to accommodate families, and hosted their first guests in late 2012. They couldn’t be happier with the result.  Coming to Junee from Wollongong to live in 2011, the Tuckers had been drawn to the town by memories of family holidays spent with Diane’s grandparents. They’d been warned by city-based friends that they might... Read full blog post

Time to recognise one of Junee’s newest developments – the Gryphon Lodge Bed & Breakfast. It was the availability of part time work for owners Fran and Keith Griffin that clinched the deal and brought them to Junee to fulfil their B & B tree change dream.     The couple welcomed their first guests just last month. The farmlet is 10 hectares and is just 3.5 kms from Junee. The house on the property has panoramic views of the property from the large verandah that fronts the building. The establishment offers cycling routes and insider knowledge on cycling in the region, home grown fruit and vegies on the menu, and the chance to mix it with the local wildlife and get up close with the farm’s small family of Alpacas. Fran and Keith didn’t have Junee in their sites when they started their... Read full blog post

Today we celebrate Jeanne Kennedy’s achievement as owner and manager of Belmore Manor. Jeanne welcomed her first customers to Belmore Manor for bed and breakfast in August 2009 after a great deal of work refurbishing and decorating, offering four rooms for visitors to choose from. The property was purchased by Jeanne on the internet when she and her husband Terry were living in England. They had worked and lived in the nearby city of Wagga Wagga and so were aware of Junee’s potential. They were also aware that Junee was experiencing a shortage of accommodation on offer. A particular attraction was the confidence they had that Junee Shire Council would work with Jeanne to make her dream of a modest Bed and Breakfast become a reality.  Add to that was Jeanne’s her personal knowledge an... Read full blog post

Kick back on Friday night in good ole fashion style at the Athenium Theatre, for a showing of ‘Mamma Mia’! Starting at 8pm on Friday the 1st  it will be a nice relaxing way to start your festival weekend before you are sidetracked left right and centre with a host of activities on Saturday and Sunday!   Longing to discover the identity of her true father before she exchanges her wedding vows, the daughter of a once-rebellious single mother secretly invites a trio of paternal candidates to her upcoming wedding in this feature adaptation of the beloved stage musical.   Independent-minded single mother Donna (Meryl Streep) has always done her best to raise her spirited daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), while simultaneously running a successful hotel on a small Greek island, but now t... Read full blog post

Kick off the 2013 Junee Rhythm n Rail Festival by getting in touch with your creative side at the Broadway Museum on Friday the 1^st of March from 11am to 3pm for some Museum Music!

This fun and informal event, which is all about being creative and having some good ole fashion fun! There will be singing, music , poetry and lots of  Rhythm!

We want you to get involved so if you have a poem that you you want to read out or you have a musical instrument you would like to play, bring it along and get involved!

 

The more, the merrier!

 

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 The closing date for the Photo Competition has extended to Wednesday the 27th of February! So you still have time to take a winning shot and submit it to the Rhythm ‘N’ Rail Festival Photography Competition. All entries must be lodged at the Junee Library or Junee Shire Council offices by 5pm on Wednesday the 27th of February. The competition is open only to amateur photographers (any person who does not derive their primary income from a photography business) and the work has to be original and created by you with no outside assistance.  There are four classes of entry. •   Rhythm Print – All photos in this class must relate to music or song and their performance.   •   Rail Print – Your photos must relate to the railway, its heritage or their operation. •   Open Print – You may ... Read full blog post

The Junee Rail ‘n’ Rhythm Festival is fast approaching and Saturday, 2nd March is a night is not to be missed with a program jam-packed with entertainment. There’s entertainment available for all ages so bring along the whole family and your friends. Enjoy a night out at the Junee Red Cow Hotel. Enjoy a delicious meal with friends while enjoying the music of Nathan Lamont and Natasha Gill. Entry is free and food and beverages are available for purchase on the night. You can also catch Nathan and Natasha performing on Saturday at the Main Stage. Nathan Lamont is a local, successful talent. At the age of 15, he was performing for a crowd of ten thousand people at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Now 19, he’s performed everywhere from the Sydney Opera House, the Rugby World Cup Charity D... Read full blog post

All roads will lead to Junee Peel St on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of March during the Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival. True to tradition, vintage, classic and hot rod cars will line the street to give festival attendee’s a trip down memory lane. The Junee Motor group has organised this fantastic car show which will run for its third year during the Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival. From Impala’s to Chevrolet to Harley Davidson Motorcycles if you are a motor enthusiast this is a do not miss event! The Junee Motor Club Show & Shine will also include a Peoples Choice and Committee's Choice award for vehicle owners! If you have a Vintage care brush of the dust and take her for a spin to Junee!  It’s all about the Rhythm, Rail & Revs!   Read full blog post

Junee Licorice Factory will attempt to break the world record for the longest smash train at the 2013 Junee Rhythm 'n' Rail Festival which runs from Friday the 1st to Sunday the 3rd of March! On Saturday the 2nd of March from 10am-11:30am the Junee Licorice Factory  will wow the world by creating the longest smash train, out of smash cakes! Now doesn't that sound delicious! The Junee Licrorice Factory already holds the world record for the longest licorice strap, coming it at a whopping 244 metres! They also hold the world record for the longest rocky road, which measured at 62.2 metres, which is phenomenal! We can’t wait to see how long the Smash Train will be at this year’s festival and cant wait to have a taste too! That's not all the Licorice Factory has to offer! There will be c... Read full blog post

 We are pleased to announce the Tumut Branch Line Model Railway will be at the 2013 Junee Rhythm n Rail Festival on Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd of March at the Junee Junction Recreation and Aquatic Centre.   The unusual design of the model represents the Tumut and Gilmore area and features local sights such as the Old Butter Factory, the stationmaster’s house, Gilmore station and goods shed. It is built on six tables measuring about 1.8m x lm each that can be rearranged to make different configurations.   Make sure you check this amazing model railway out at the Junee Rhythm n Rail festival. For more details head to http://www.tumutbranchline.com/index.htm Read full blog post

Junee’s Rhythm and Rail Festival is fast approaching so highlight it on the calendar! The festival highlights Junee's distinctive rail heritage and features lots of fun activities for the whole family. Junee’s development and location was dictated by the rail networks and travellers knew Junee by the smoky haze visible on the horizon coming from the Roundhouse, a depot that worked on steam trains.   Start your weekend of fun off with a trip down memory lane and jump aboard on the Historic Tin Hare Trains! The historic ‘Tin Hare’ rail motors are a must-see and will be available to shuttle you between Wagga Wagga, Junee and Cootamundra. Tickets and shuttle times are available online via www.visitjunee.com.au or you can purchase tickets from the Railway Station Café in Junee. Don’t leave... Read full blog post

 Rhythm & Rhyme!   This years Junee Rhythm & Rail Festival is going to be full of Rhythm & Rhyme! From, buskers jamming out in Hobbyn Pond to big bands serenading festival goers on the main stage! 2013 is going to be all about the entertainment!   The Junee Rhythm 'n' Rail Festival has some great things in store for buskers this year! Not only will musicians be able to share their rhythm, we want musicians to enjoy jamming with other performers! So this year we will be organising a jam session in Hobbyn Pond where new and unique rhythm and rhyme will be born!   This year on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of March the Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival will be having a main stage. The main stage will be jam packed with local and far away talent!   A fantastic array of Performers will be... Read full blog post

Well what a wonderful Australia Day we have celebrated this past Saturday in Junee.  The activities started early with around 80 starters for GEO Jail Break Run facing the starters pistol at the Recreation Centre. More than 80 people faced the starter’s pistol for the 4.5 km Jail Break Run. Jenny Hart was the first women to reach the finish line to become the Open Women’s GEO JBR winner. The Open Men’s was taken out by Jacob Crowder. The junior winners were Tamsyn Scott and Andreas Shepherd. The community came out for a more relaxed but very hearty Aussie breakfast at 8am. The breakfast was cooked by The Town Fire Brigade and assisted by Junee Swimming Club. Breakfast was followed by the presentation of the Australia Day Awards. The Awards were presented by world record holding marath... Read full blog post

Jump aboard one of the beautifully restored Tin Hare Train Shuttles for a trip down memory lane at this year’s Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival!Tickets to ride the Tin Hare Train are now available for purchase at the Junee Railway Café or visit Buy Tickets Now! to buy online. Shuttles will be departing from Junee Train Station and Wagga Train Station on Saturday the 2^nd and Sunday the 3^rd of March.  

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The Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival is very excited to announce that they have been one of the successful applicants to receive Destination NSW Regional Flagship funding.   The Regional Flagship Events Program supports the marketing of events that play an important role in bringing visitors to regional NSW. This funding will give the Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival Committee a chance to promote the event further afield.   This is fantastic recognition for Junee, it shows that the festival is moving in the right direction! We are offering a unique and relevant Junee experience for visitors, with great opportunity to assist the state government achieve their goal of doubling overnight visitation by 2020. Receiving this flagship funding and the status that comes along with that is just gre... Read full blog post

Train enthusiast and former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Tim Fischer AC has again confirmed his role as Patron of the Junee Rhythm n Rail Festival! Born in Lockhart, Mr Fischer’s love of trains began as a small boy and developed into a lifelong passion. Throughout his decorated career, Mr Fischer has remained connected to the rail industry, holding many related positions and acting as Patron for a number of not-for-profit rail organisations. Mr Fischer officially opened the 2012 Junee Rhythm n Rail Festival and joined in a number of the events. Having had various careers, from farmer to army officer, from State politician to Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Fischer has always found time for his passion for trains. The Junee Rhythm n Rail Festival committee are thrilled t... Read full blog post

Junee Shire Council continue to be recognised for their hard work in the tourism industry taking out a Bronze award at the NSW Tourism Awards overnight. The Junee Shire were awarded the Bronze in the ‘Local Government Award for Tourism’ category, which comes after winning a silver gong at the 2012 Inland Tourism Awards earlier in the year. Junee Shire Council’s Tourism Development Officer, Linda Tillman, said the award was a significant achievement for the Shire, its team of volunteers and local operators, who take a collaborative approach to tourism. “A Bronze award is an exceptional achievement as it means Junee Shire Council is third in the State for their category.” Linda said Bronze was also only awarded if the results were extremely close and the judges had a difficult time de... Read full blog post

The Luke Thomas Outback Show is coming to the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory from December 1 through to December 23. Performer, Luke Thomas, is a known horse breaker, drover, bush poet and raconteur as well as one of the last bullockies. Junee Shire Council’s Tourism Development Officer, Linda Tillman, said the show would be a big drawcard for Junee and the Licorice Factory. “This Show is well worth a look, you’ll be amazed at the performing ponies, draught horses, dogs and eight bullocks. There are not many places in Australia you can see a full team of bullocks in action,” Mrs Tillman said. The Outback Show, which will run from 11am to 12noon daily, is all about bringing our farming history back to life. It will focus on how farming life was in the 1800’s which includes, loa... Read full blog post

Junee Shire Council continues to reap the benefits for their hard work in the area of tourism after being named as a finalist in the 2012 NSW Tourism Awards. The finalist status in the ‘Local Government Award for Tourism’ category is much sought after and comes after Junee Shire Council won the Silver Award in the same category at the Inland Tourism Awards in July. The recognition comes after 12 months of hard work and dedication from the Shire and its small team of volunteers, which has seen local operators benefit from the new collaborative approach to tourism and its promotion. Junee Shire Council’s Tourism Development Officer, Linda Tillman, said the finalist status was an acknowledgement of the Shire’s outstanding achievement in tourism. “The success for Junee Tourism comes fro... Read full blog post

The Illabo Show is on again. In its 93rd year, the Illabo Show will be held on Saturday, 13 October with plenty on offer for the whole family. A great day out that attracts visitors from right across the region, this year the Illabo Show boasts many of the normal agricultural show attractions as well as those competitions and events exclusive to Illabo. There is a comprehensive list of horse ring events, as well as yard dog trials, an All Breeds Championship Dog Show and mini harness racing. Illabo Show Society Secretary, Leanne Belling, said they were excited about this year’s show and were looking forward to another successful event. “There is so much on the program this year, including all of the normal pavilion competitions, such as cookery, art, craft, produce and photograph... Read full blog post

There is just 25 days to go until the inaugural Taste Riverina Food Festival kicks-off. And Junee will be supporting the festival and local producers by hosting the Grand Opening event featuring Pizza, Pisa and Peroni. To mark the start of the festival the official Taste Grand Opening will be held at the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory on Friday, October 5. The Italian-themed night will celebrate the diversity of Riverina produce in one of the regions most visited attractions, while paying tribute to one of Italy’s best-loved food exports – the pizza. Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory’s, Neil Druce, said guests would enjoy wood-fired pizza’s with a variety of toppings sourced from around the Riverina, while enjoying local beer from Casellas and De Bortolis wineries, local Ri... Read full blog post

It’s often said a bakery is the hub of a small town – and the new and improved Junee Bakery is proving this to be true. Wagga Wagga couple, Jonathon and Leezett White took over the Junee Bakery in early August and then officially opened the doors on Thursday, 16 August. And they have been run off their feet ever since. Having worked as a pastry chef/baker for 17 years, before taking a break to drive a milk-run, Jonathon, wanted to get back into baking, while Leezett, who ran another business in Wagga, also decided it was time for a change and the bakery provided the perfect opportunity. “We could see the potential in Junee and we have wanted to do something together for a while,” Jonathon said. Before opening the doors Jonathon said they did some fairly extensive renovations to ope... Read full blog post

The new executive committee for Junee Business and Trades was announced and welcomed at the August Executive Meeting. So please welcome the new committee members and be sure to wish them luck if you see them around town. Existing president, Tony Butt, of T-Line Steel, retained his position, while community member, Leonie Cooper took up the vice–president position. Existing secretary Patricia Butler of Maurice R Maroney & Co, retained her position, as did Treasurer, Michael Commins of Commins Hendriks, Junee, who also took on the extra role of public officer. Brian Higginson, Ag’N’Vet, Jeanne Kennedy, Belmore Manor and Jo Ward, Junee Auto Centre each hold an executive position. Junee Business and Trades would like to thank retiring Treasurer Neil Druce for his contribution while in ... Read full blog post

Paintings created in just 90-minutes managed to raise a whopping $6870 at last Friday night’s Celebrity Paint-Off. Held at the Junee Licorce and Chocolate Factory, the fun, relaxed evening got 8 local identities together – who aren’t artists – to work with 3 professional artists to create four masterpieces in just 90 minutes, which they then had to auction off for charity. The paint-off was directed by professional artist, Graeme Stevenson, the CEO and host of the TV series, Put Some Colour in Your Life, and artist website, Colour in Your Life, who was filming a segment for the series at the Junee Goal. Graeme was helped by other professional artists, Manuel Petavrakis, aka Dr Manny from the Art Shed, and Meile Bachelor from Meile Art.  While many of the 95 guests who came to watch t... Read full blog post

The Government has recently release updated editions of the ‘Starting your Business’ and ‘Growing your Business’ online checklists via the Business.gov.au website. More than two million small businesses operate in Australia and these checklists will provide fast and easy access to information and advice. The ‘Starting your Business’ checklist guides business owners through the various stages of setting up a business, such as registering a business name, applying for an ABN and developing a business plan. The ‘Growing your Business’ checklist addresses topics such as staffing, product and service offerings, exporting and expanding your business. To read the full story, please visit the NSW Business Chamber website here. To download your copy of the checklists, please visit the Busin... Read full blog post

If you’re passionate about Junee, want to be part of the town’s biggest event of the year, would like to gain some hands-on tourism and events experience or just want to get out and meet people, then why not consider joining the Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival committee? Organisers are inviting interested people, including past committee members, operators, students, volunteers and community groups, to attend a meeting to find out more. When: Thursday 9 August 2012 Where: Junee Ex-Services Club Time: 6.00pm Who’s invited: All welcome! The 2013 committee will be elected at the meeting and the first official planning meeting will be scheduled. For further details, please contact the 2012 Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Chairperson, Neil Smith, on 0428 243 228 Read full blog post

Junee Shire Council’s efforts in the area of tourism have been acknowledged after being named as a finalist in the 2012 Inland Tourism Awards. The finalist status in the ‘Local Government Award for Tourism’ is a much sought after accolade with only two Council’s making the finals this year – Junee Shire and Narrabi Shire. The recognition comes after 12 months of hard work and dedication from the Shire and its small team of volunteers, which has seen local operators benefit from the new collaborative approach to tourism and its promotion. For many years, Junee Shire tourism providers operated in isolation to each other creating a piecemeal approach with limited results. In 2011, the Council made a significant investment in tourism in order to better support and develop the industry, a... Read full blog post

Junee Business and Trades held its June ‘Business after Hours’ event on Wednesday night at Kaybunda Lavender Farm in Old Junee. Around 18 local business people and community members attended to meet the new owners of Kaybunda, Jodie and Bill Russell, and learn more about what the business does and how it adds to Junee’s tourism industry. Jodie and Bill spoke about plans for expansion of the farm and their ideas on providing a more interactive tour of their facilities for visitors. Guests also enjoyed the opportunity to network with other local business people and hearing about upcoming opportunities through Junee Business and Trades. Junee Business and Trades holds ‘Business after Hours’ events every two months which are hosted by a different business each time. It also organises an... Read full blog post

The Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in Junee is staffed by volunteers who give their time throughout the month to help visitors find their way around the area.  Our volunteers form a key part of our successful tourism program in Junee.  You could say they are the heart of Junee. Roger Quine has been volunteering for the community since he left school and has been with the VIC since it opened.  He loves working at the VIC where he controls the supply of tourist information literature and brochures.  Roger loves chatting to the visitors, especially those from overseas.  Recently he enjoyed talking with a German couple who were spending 6 weeks touring Australia.  He loves exploring other cultures and introducing the Aussie culture to tourists.  He gets a good buzz from sending them away... Read full blog post

 The Junee Farmer’s Market has joined forces with local tourism operators and the Junee Omnibus Society to provide a free bus service on an historic bus on market days. Operating on the first Sunday of every month, the Junee Farmers Market provides a showcase of locally sourced and fresh produce from in and around Junee Shire. Visitors to the market can now take advantage of the hop-on, hop-off bus service that will stop at multiple locations throughout the town, while giving travellers an insight into Junee’s unique history. Market organiser, John Rickard, said the bus service adds a whole new dimension to the market experience, making it easier for visitors and families to explore the market and other Junee tourist attractions. "We always have a good attendance at the Farmer’s Mark... Read full blog post

Junee’s heritage will be brought to life thanks to a new heritage project, which will be launched in July. The Junee Heritage Project, which is currently in development, will promote Junee as an important heritage town and provide visitors with informative boards and signs at key locations and attractions around the shire. A range of new and improved self guided walks and themed heritage tours will also be developed to take full advantage of the Shire’s rich history and the demand for heritage tourism experiences in the Riverina. Junee Shire Council’s Tourism Development Officer, Linda Tillman, said the project aims to provide visitors with a more in-depth heritage tourism experience and ensure that Junee is promoted as a heritage destination. “The Junee Heritage Project will incorpo... Read full blog post

Junee Business and Trades recently welcomed some new members to their executive committee.  We are fortunate to have the services of Annette Pollard from Remax EDGE, Brian Higginson from Ag'N'Vet, Michael Commins of Commins Hendriks Solicitors and community member Leonie Cooper. Michael Commins has accepted the role of Treasurer. The new committee is very keen to further the work of the previous members and boost the opportunities available to business and industry within Junee.  You may see them walking the streets, introducing themselves to businesses and talking with them about the issues that are impacting on business at the moment. If you are in business, we encourage you to become a member of Junee Business and Trades.  It is an investment in the future of your business and you... Read full blog post

The Australian Property Investor Magazine has named Junee, NSW as one of Australia’s hottest locations for cash flow property, coming in at number seven on a list of 35 hotspots around the country. Positive cash flow occurs when a property’s income through rent exceeds the expenses such as loan repayments and maintenance. According to the Australian Property Monitor, Junee’s median house price is $177,000 with rental prices averaging $220 per week. The magazine sites Junee Shire as the second highest yielding local government area in NSW with investors having the potential to earn a 7.9% profit. Junee provides an exciting prospect for investors wishing to generate income through their property purchases. Industry is thriving, employment opportunities are great and the town's location ... Read full blog post

Junee was originally occupied by the Wiradjuri tribe until it was allocated as a pastoral lease called the ‘Jewnee Run’. The name came from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘speak to me’. Junee had many names including Crawley’s Town, Dobbyn’s Town and Loftus.   In 1866, the town had a population of 12 but it grew rapidly after reef and alluvial gold was discovered in the late 1860s. The mines at Old Junee and Junee Reefs were mined until around 1880.   In 1863, famous bushranger Ben Hall and his gang raided the village. Hall, Johnny Gilbert and John Vane held up Hammond's store while Michael Burke and John O'Meally bailed up Williams' Pub.   In 1876, Christopher Crawley acquired the land that was to be the current site of Junee. Crawley built a two roome... Read full blog post

Junee Shire is a bird watcher’s paradise and is home to a variety of aquatic environments which attract many different species of birds.  If you are interested in bird watching, Junee is a must visit! Junee’s Urban Wetlands are full of plant and animal life including turtles, frogs and a large bird population. In fact, they are home to more than 30 species of bird which come to nest and feed within the wetland environment, including: Great Egret • White-faced Heron • Pied Stilt • White Ibis • Straw-necked Ibis • Yellow Billed Spoonbill • Black Duck • Grey Teal • Australian Hobby • Nankeen Falcon • House Sparrow • Spotted Crake • Magpie • Magpie Lark • Black-shouldered Kite • Swamp Harrier • Spotted Harrier • Australian Wood Duck • Coot • Masked Plover • Clamorous Reedwarbier • Purple ... Read full blog post

Junee gained a lot of attention at the Riverina Regional Tourism stand at the Melbourne Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow that took place at Caulfield Racecourse from 8 to 14 March.  It was great to see that many of the visitors to our stand were familiar with Junee and our attractions. Some were recent visitors to the town and others had not been in many years. Many were putting Junee on their travel list for 2012! Tina Jones, Executive Officer of Riverina Regional Tourism, said she was pleased with the response at the show. “We only needed 35 genuine enquiries to get a return on our investment in the show and we had many more than that.  The timing of the show was great, given the recent flood activity in the region. It was the perfect opportunity to educate consumers and enco... Read full blog post

Junee Tourist Park is under new management! Geoff Greenhill and Shelley Rowland have experienced their first summer as owners of Junee’s picturesque caravan park and have big plans for its future. Geoff and Shelley’s vision includes turning the tourist park into a community by building on the camaraderie that the grey nomads bring. They believe the grey nomads’ sense of fun, adventure and sharing is what every visitor to their caravan park should experience. “We love the location and atmosphere of the park and have some great plans for its future, including the introduction of more on-site cabins and new activity areas that both children and adults can enjoy,” Shelley said. “We also plan to make over all of the existing cabins and expand the camp kitchen. We see the kitchen an... Read full blog post

Check out some of the fun of the Festival in the 2012 Rhythm 'n' Rail Festival photo gallery! As you can see, we experienced the full four seasons over the weekend, but the thousands of people that braved the weather reported that a good time was had by all!

Here's to a bigger and better (and drier!) 2013 Festival!

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The weather may have been wet but it didn’t dampen the spirits of attendees at the Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival on the weekend! For the thousands of people who did brave the wild weekend weather, Junee’s businesses, residents and operators treated them to the ultimate in country hospitality and showed them that the town knows how to celebrate – rain, hail or shine! Some of the Festival highlights included: Mr Percival entertained a crowd of around 70 people at the GEO Grand Opening event at the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory, which was officially launched by Mr Tim Fisher AC. The Tin Hare Shuttle was kept busy taking Festival visitors to and fro in the style of bygone days, a highlight being the Junee to Cootamundra shuttle via the Bethungra Rail Spiral. ... Read full blog post

This weekend's Rhythm 'n' Rail Festival will be too good to miss and not even the weather will be able to stop it! Starting on Friday 2 March, the Festival weekend will be filled with food, song, exhibitions and our special railway heritage. While the Festival celebrates our rhythm, we don't intend to be 'Singing In The Rain'! We have a wet weather plan in place so that our outdoor markets and the attractions inside the Festival precinct will be able to go ahead even if the weather is poor. You won't have to miss out on any of your favourite stalls or displays! Most of the events and activities will be held indoors or undercover and won't be affected by the weather. Find out the latest program updates and venue changes by checking the Program page of the website. This weekend is goi... Read full blog post

The people of Junee and train enthusiasts throughout Australia, look forward to the Rhythm ‘N ‘Rail Festival every year. One of the highlights of the festival is the official opening celebration. This year, the Grand Opening Event on Friday 2 March is being sponsored by the festival’s major sponsor, The GEO Group Australia.  The GEO Group doesn’t just operate here in Junee:  it is involved in the community.  With GEO as sponsor, the opening celebration will be a night that you don’t want to miss! The GEO Festival Grand Opening begins at the Athenium Theatre, 6pm Friday night when it is formally opened by our Patron, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and train enthusiast, Mr Tim Fischer AC.  The Gala Opening will be a cocktail style event, filled with live music, fine canapés,... Read full blog post

There are still a couple of days left to take a winning shot and submit it to the Rhythm ‘N’ Rail Festival Photography Competition. All entries must be lodged at the Junee Library or Junee Shire Council offices by 5pm on Friday 24 February. The competition is open only to amateur photographers (any person who does not derive their primary income from a photography business) and the work has to be original and created by you with no outside assistance.  There are four classes of entry. Rhythm Print – All photos in this class must relate to music or song and their performance.   Rail Print – Your photos must relate to the railway, its heritage or their operation. Open Print – You may choose your own topic. Junior Print – Open to children of 16 years and under, you ... Read full blog post

After two years in the pipeline, Gaylene and Garry Crabtree proudly opened the Bethungra T-House on Sunday 5 February to a crowd of nearly 300. The T-House is located in the old Bethungra school house, which Gaylene and Garry have transformed into a unique tourist attraction. As well as serving delicious coffees, teas and tasty treats, visitors will be able to purchase a range of locally produced items such as jams, chutneys and hand-crafted gifts. A highlight of the T-House is the Memorabilia room, which displays items from the old school house and other historical items from the area. So next time you're travelling down the Olympic Highway, pop into the T-House at the Temora/Junee/Cootamundra junction and enjoy this great new attraction of the Junee Shire. Read the story from the ... Read full blog post

Junee's hallmark music and train festival, Junee Rhythm 'n' Rail, is on in just 24 days, and the Committee is thrilled to announce its Festival Patron, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and train enthusiast, Mr Tim Fischer AC. Born in Lockhart, Mr Fischer’s love of trains began as a small boy and developed into a lifelong passion. Throughout his decorated career, Mr Fischer has remained connected to the rail industry, holding many related positions and acting as Patron for a number of not-for-profit rail organisations. In his role as Patron, Mr Fischer will officially open the Festival at the Grand Opening event on Friday 2 March, participate in the festivities over the weekend and provide advice and recommendations on the Festival into the future.  It is a privilege to step ... Read full blog post

The Junee Poker Run and Blues Night was held on Saturday 4 February to raise money for Can Assist Cancer Network. More than 300 bike enthusiasts participated in the Poker Run and nearly 200 attended the Blues Night, raising around $20,000 for the cause.

Well done to everyone involved and keep your eyes peeled for details of the 2013 event.

Check out the news story that featured on Prime 7 below.

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Junee's renowned music and train festival, the Junee Rhythm 'n' Rail Festival, has just launched its online ticket sales (cue cheers and fireworks!). Tickets can now be purchased for the following events via the online ticketing system: Grand Opening Event - Friday 2 March Tin Hare Train Shuttles - Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 March Wind in the Roundhouse Concert - Saturday 3 March Junee Lamb Dinner - Friday 2 to Saturday 3 March Junee Lamb Dinner and Concert Shuttle Combo - Saturday 3 March Visit the Buy Tickets Now page for all the details and to purchase your tickets.     Read full blog post

The Junee Rhythm 'n' Rail Festival attracts thousands of people to Junee, which means highway traffic and lots 'No Vacancy' signs! We highly recommend that you plan your trip early to ensure the most convenient and enjoyable stay in Junee. Our new mini site is a great resource to get you started, so make sure you check it out. How to get to the Festival Junee is located in the Riverina region of NSW, around 30 minutes from Wagga Wagga, 3 hours from Canberra, 5 hours from Sydney and 5.5 hours from Melbourne. Visitors from Wagga and Cootamundra can take advantage of the Tin Hare train rides which will be transporting Festival-goers to and from these locations. The Cootamundra ride will also take you through the unique Bethungra Rail Spiral! Return tickets start at $20 for adults an... Read full blog post

It’s here! The new Visit Junee website – www.visitjunee.com.au - is live and ready to help you discover all there is to do, see and experience in Junee Shire. The new website is jam packed with interactive features, beautiful images and information galore to help you plan your stay in Junee, whether you are coming to visit, live, play or work. You can even download a free money savers pack full of discounts and deals from local attractions and businesses. And…to help celebrate the new website, we are giving away a free holiday in Junee! All the details can be found on the new Visit Junee Competition page Visit This section of the website has everything you need to know to plan your next holiday to Junee. View details and images of Junee attractions. Find out the best pl... Read full blog post