Bowraville is the talk of the town
Published on 18 November 2025
Thousands of people came back to Bowraville over the weekend to enjoy two significant events which showcased our valley’s rich heritage.
Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee wanted to congratulate the Back to Bowra committee and Bowraville Central State School for delivering high quality events which brought both locals and visitors together.
“What an occasion we’ve just had to celebrate our community, where thousands of people came back to Bowraville,” he said.
“Fifty years ago our school and community originally created Back to Bowra, an event where people gathered to connect with friends and to celebrate our shared heritage.
“What the Back to Bowra Committee and our school achieved to connect our community and boost the local economy was outstanding and I thank the community members involved in these events last Friday and Saturday.
“I loved participating in the Mayoral billy cart race – it’s just a shame I was pipped at the post by our State Member Michael Kemp.”
Bowraville Central School sesquicentenary was held on Friday 14 November to mark 150 years since the school first opened in 1875. Key among its celebrations were a photography exhibition of hundreds of old photographs, sealing a time capsule, Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan cutting a special cake and the school’s oldest living resident, Mervyn Lynch, unveiling a plaque.
Back to Bowra on Saturday 15 November included billy cart races, a street parade, market stalls, whip cracking and a tug of war. This event was delivered with the sponsorship of 20 local valley businesses, the Nambucca Valley Tourism Association and Council. Council provided almost $5000 to the event through the Community Grants Program Round 1.
Round 2 of the Community Grants Program closes on 28 November 2025. Council encourages not-for-profit associations or organisations, with an Australian Business Number, plus operations within the Nambucca Valley to put in an application and take up the opportunity to deliver a program or event which will benefit the community.
To be successful, applications are required to have an alignment to the outcomes in the Community Strategic Plan.
Councillor Jane MacSmith volunteered on the Back to Bowra committee as Event Manager and she said the colourful committee was a pleasure to volunteer with.
“I’ve been a part of many committees over the years and supporting this one was honestly a highlight,” she said.
“I'm incredibly proud of what our committee pulled off and from the feedback, the community can't thank the committee enough for filling the streets of Bowraville once again.”
Back to Bowra committee members were Gav McKinnon, Barney Townley, Jennifer Hill, Helen Leape, Emma and Jono McLaughlin, Nerida Cowie, Dominic Reynolds, Marcia Hilery, Michael O’Neill, and the MC, Tony Fuller.