Get to know Royal Far West’s history in the far west
In March 2025, our annual Ride for Country Kids will be kicking off in far west NSW. The three-day event will begin in Bourke, journeying to Cobar and Nyngan before finishing in Narromine. The event aims to raise funds and awareness for developmental and mental health services to help transform the lives of Australia’s country children. Learn more about our deep connection with this region below.
In the 1920s and ‘30s, far west NSW seemed a world away from Manly, yet it has played a vital role in Royal Far West’s 100-year history and continues to be an area we proudly support.
Through the years we’ve welcomed many children and families from the far west and its surrounds to our facilities in Manly. Today, we continue to support children, families, schools, and early education centres from this region
Cobar: Cobar is the hometown of Royal Far West’s founder Reverend Stanley Drummond. He conceived the idea for the Far West Children’s Health Scheme while recuperating at Manly beach. His vision of bringing country kids to the beach for respite quickly became a reality.
Bourke: In 1931, the first of our innovative Travelling Baby Clinics started to service communities along the Bourke, Cobar and Brewarrina railway line.
Seeing the need for air services, Bourke resident Sid Coleman bought an aeroplane, and with pilot Mr Robinson, they provided free air transport for medical staff and patients in isolated areas. By 1935, the Aerial Baby Clinic was in its fourth year, having helping hundreds of children, including 239 babies from the “Back o’ Bourke”. Mr Coleman, who also served as Bourke’s Mayor, was our Superintendent for several years.
During the 1930s, Bourke’s Branch members provided board and lodgings for our Nurses stationed in the area, and through the years we’ve welcomed many children and families from Bourke and its surrounds.
Narromine: Narromine Public School was our first school to pilot our Telecare for Kids program, which has since been integrated into our Schools and Early Years Services. This partnership, now in its tenth year, has seen positive results for the students’ overall development, self-regulation and resilience, according to Principal Denise Toohey.
Nyngan and Dubbo: We continue to support these heartlands to this day and each of these towns also has a Royal Far West branch (Dubbo has two!). These branches are run by a network of incredible volunteers who raise vital funds to support country kids through music events, raffles, balls and so much more.