A dedicated committee have been working together for almost two years to tie together what they promise to be a celebration of the town and it’s history. 

Birthday committee member Catherine DeMamiel is looking forward to seeing her own children make memories from the big weekend. 

“Everyone has a favourite memory of a Coleambally birthday celebration,” she said. 

“I’m really looking forward to seeing my kids experience that.”

After the Coleambally Irrigation Area scheme kicked off in the 1950s, farmland was made available through a ballot system. The town was officially opened in 1968.  

The celebrations will span the entirety of the June long weekend, taking the time to celebrate the very best Coleambally has to offer. 

Fellow committee member Penny Sheppard says the weekend is a long time in the making. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing the whole thing come together. A lot of people have been willing to join in and help out,” she said. 

“A lot of people are coming back to Coleambally, whether they’ve been teachers at the local school or they grew up on one of the farms.”

Billy cart races, vintage wedding dresses, tours of surrounding farms – as well as the famous parade and fireworks display – are just some of what’s on offer over the course of the weekend. 

Mrs Sheppard and others have been working extra hard on a commemorative book called Coleambally Community Conversations, profiling dozens of people in a collection of special conversations about their memories of Coleambally. 

Proceeds from the book will be donated to the Country Education Foundation of Coleambally-Darlington Point. It will be officially launched at the birthday celebrations. 

Coleambally will be celebrating its 50th birthday with events throughout town from June 8 – 11. For more information visit www.facebook.com/coleamballys50th/