Bless your cotton jocks: town's cheeky bid to retailers
Cotton grows as far as the eye can see across the plains of Narrabri during the height of summer.
But despite producing more than half of all the cotton in NSW at a value of $100 million in the last decade, locals in the north-west region say the closure of a department store has left them without a decent supply of socks and jocks.
The shire council has launched a tongue-in-cheek social media campaign called Bring Back Socks and Jocks to attract new major retailers to the town of 12,000.
Locals are seen making and wearing raw cotton garments, despairing at their empty sock drawers and even framing their last pair of sagging Y-fronts.
"We grow the cotton that fills our nation's department stores, but we don't have a place to buy jocks and socks in Narrabri," a forlorn farmer says, backed by sombre music.
Behind the dry rural humour is a serious message about regional economies and business.
The bustling rural hub lost its last major retailer in 2021, one of about 50 Target Country branches to close across NSW, WA, SA, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Narrabri's closure has forced families to travel two hours to try on and buy essentials, or shop online.
The absurdity of Australia's leading cotton producers having to travel to buy their cottontails demonstrates the broader disconnect between cities and the country, mayor Darrell Tiemens said.
"Years ago people were a lot more connected to their country cousins, they had aunties and uncles or grandparents living on farms, but a lot of those connections have been lost," Mr Tiemens told AAP.
"When it comes to equity and fairness, whether it's your local health services, hospitals, retailers or the banks ... they need to start thinking about the opportunities that some of these large shires provide.
"We're producing billions of dollars worth of value in these areas and yet we're being ignored by some of these retailers probably because they think it's all too hard."
Retail is also a major employer in country areas, with research by independent think tank Per Capita showing retail wages contribute more than $300 million per week to regional economies, or nearly $16 billion a year.
Local shopping is also central to the social fabric and vibrancy of country towns, an issue that was explored in-depth during a Senate inquiry into the closure of rural banks.
"It's a social thing, it's an outing, it's people catching up on the news, it's people supporting each other," Mr Tiemens said.
"That's what we love about country living - the fact that you can walk down the street, you can walk into a store and you actually feel like you're part of something."
Cotton grows as far as the eye can see across the plains of Narrabri during the height of summer.
But despite producing more than half of all the cotton in NSW at a value of $100 million in the last decade, locals in the north-west region say the closure of a department store has left them without a decent supply of socks and jocks.
The shire council has launched a tongue-in-cheek social media campaign called Bring Back Socks and Jocks to attract new major retailers to the town of 12,000.
Locals are seen making and wearing raw cotton garments, despairing at their empty sock drawers and even framing their last pair of sagging Y-fronts.
"We grow the cotton that fills our nation's department stores, but we don't have a place to buy jocks and socks in Narrabri," a forlorn farmer says, backed by sombre music.
Behind the dry rural humour is a serious message about regional economies and business.
The bustling rural hub lost its last major retailer in 2021, one of about 50 Target Country branches to close across NSW, WA, SA, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Narrabri's closure has forced families to travel two hours to try on and buy essentials, or shop online.
The absurdity of Australia's leading cotton producers having to travel to buy their cottontails demonstrates the broader disconnect between cities and the country, mayor Darrell Tiemens said.
"Years ago people were a lot more connected to their country cousins, they had aunties and uncles or grandparents living on farms, but a lot of those connections have been lost," Mr Tiemens told AAP.
"When it comes to equity and fairness, whether it's your local health services, hospitals, retailers or the banks ... they need to start thinking about the opportunities that some of these large shires provide.
"We're producing billions of dollars worth of value in these areas and yet we're being ignored by some of these retailers probably because they think it's all too hard."
Retail is also a major employer in country areas, with research by independent think tank Per Capita showing retail wages contribute more than $300 million per week to regional economies, or nearly $16 billion a year.
Local shopping is also central to the social fabric and vibrancy of country towns, an issue that was explored in-depth during a Senate inquiry into the closure of rural banks.
"It's a social thing, it's an outing, it's people catching up on the news, it's people supporting each other," Mr Tiemens said.
"That's what we love about country living - the fact that you can walk down the street, you can walk into a store and you actually feel like you're part of something."
Cotton grows as far as the eye can see across the plains of Narrabri during the height of summer.
But despite producing more than half of all the cotton in NSW at a value of $100 million in the last decade, locals in the north-west region say the closure of a department store has left them without a decent supply of socks and jocks.
The shire council has launched a tongue-in-cheek social media campaign called Bring Back Socks and Jocks to attract new major retailers to the town of 12,000.
Locals are seen making and wearing raw cotton garments, despairing at their empty sock drawers and even framing their last pair of sagging Y-fronts.
"We grow the cotton that fills our nation's department stores, but we don't have a place to buy jocks and socks in Narrabri," a forlorn farmer says, backed by sombre music.
Behind the dry rural humour is a serious message about regional economies and business.
The bustling rural hub lost its last major retailer in 2021, one of about 50 Target Country branches to close across NSW, WA, SA, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Narrabri's closure has forced families to travel two hours to try on and buy essentials, or shop online.
The absurdity of Australia's leading cotton producers having to travel to buy their cottontails demonstrates the broader disconnect between cities and the country, mayor Darrell Tiemens said.
"Years ago people were a lot more connected to their country cousins, they had aunties and uncles or grandparents living on farms, but a lot of those connections have been lost," Mr Tiemens told AAP.
"When it comes to equity and fairness, whether it's your local health services, hospitals, retailers or the banks ... they need to start thinking about the opportunities that some of these large shires provide.
"We're producing billions of dollars worth of value in these areas and yet we're being ignored by some of these retailers probably because they think it's all too hard."
Retail is also a major employer in country areas, with research by independent think tank Per Capita showing retail wages contribute more than $300 million per week to regional economies, or nearly $16 billion a year.
Local shopping is also central to the social fabric and vibrancy of country towns, an issue that was explored in-depth during a Senate inquiry into the closure of rural banks.
"It's a social thing, it's an outing, it's people catching up on the news, it's people supporting each other," Mr Tiemens said.
"That's what we love about country living - the fact that you can walk down the street, you can walk into a store and you actually feel like you're part of something."
Cotton grows as far as the eye can see across the plains of Narrabri during the height of summer.
But despite producing more than half of all the cotton in NSW at a value of $100 million in the last decade, locals in the north-west region say the closure of a department store has left them without a decent supply of socks and jocks.
The shire council has launched a tongue-in-cheek social media campaign called Bring Back Socks and Jocks to attract new major retailers to the town of 12,000.
Locals are seen making and wearing raw cotton garments, despairing at their empty sock drawers and even framing their last pair of sagging Y-fronts.
"We grow the cotton that fills our nation's department stores, but we don't have a place to buy jocks and socks in Narrabri," a forlorn farmer says, backed by sombre music.
Behind the dry rural humour is a serious message about regional economies and business.
The bustling rural hub lost its last major retailer in 2021, one of about 50 Target Country branches to close across NSW, WA, SA, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Narrabri's closure has forced families to travel two hours to try on and buy essentials, or shop online.
The absurdity of Australia's leading cotton producers having to travel to buy their cottontails demonstrates the broader disconnect between cities and the country, mayor Darrell Tiemens said.
"Years ago people were a lot more connected to their country cousins, they had aunties and uncles or grandparents living on farms, but a lot of those connections have been lost," Mr Tiemens told AAP.
"When it comes to equity and fairness, whether it's your local health services, hospitals, retailers or the banks ... they need to start thinking about the opportunities that some of these large shires provide.
"We're producing billions of dollars worth of value in these areas and yet we're being ignored by some of these retailers probably because they think it's all too hard."
Retail is also a major employer in country areas, with research by independent think tank Per Capita showing retail wages contribute more than $300 million per week to regional economies, or nearly $16 billion a year.
Local shopping is also central to the social fabric and vibrancy of country towns, an issue that was explored in-depth during a Senate inquiry into the closure of rural banks.
"It's a social thing, it's an outing, it's people catching up on the news, it's people supporting each other," Mr Tiemens said.
"That's what we love about country living - the fact that you can walk down the street, you can walk into a store and you actually feel like you're part of something."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Average home prices hit $1m with more growth to come
Australia's property market continues to strengthen and gain momentum as the value of the average home soars past the $1 million mark for the first time. The national mean dwelling price reached $1,002,500 in the March quarter, a 0.7 per cent increase from the previous three months, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Tuesday. Figures from the ABS show the total value of the nation's residential dwellings rose by $130.7 billion to a staggering $11.4 trillion. "We're certainly not going to see the massive increases that we saw during COVID, but we do think house prices will continue to increase, particularly as interest rates are predicted to fall further," she told AAP. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at the National Press Club on Tuesday, noted that regulation and red tape had made building and buying a home in Australia too hard. Mr Albanese said it was too complex and expensive to get a project off the ground, adding that Housing Minister Clare O'Neil had been tasked with reducing those barriers. "It is too hard and one of the areas is regulation," he told the National Press Club. He also backed a failed NSW project to redevelop Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse, describing the controversial proposal as "absolutely right". The proposal aimed to transform the 140-year-old track into a "mini-city" encompassing about 25,000 homes, but it was ultimately voted down by the racecourse owner's members. "That's the sort of thing that we're going to need to do. You can't deal with supply issues without having the courage to do things like that," Mr Albanese said. "(We) want to make sure that housing is fit for purpose and all of that but if we can cut through on some of the red tape, then that will reduce costs." According to the ABS, the increase in residential dwellings was fuelled by housing markets in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. While NSW remains Australia's most expensive property market with a median price of $1.25 million, Queensland is not far behind at $944,700. Though prices are rising, further interest rate cuts could slow the pace of increases compared to the same period last year. Data reveals the average price in the ACT went backwards, falling to $941,300, as the Northern Territory maintains the lowest mean price at $517,700. Eliza Owen, head of research at property analyst group Cotality, told AAP it was not a surprise the nation's property market continued to be pushed to record values. "(It comes) off the back of long-term constraint on housing supply, compounded by more recent factors like interest rate reductions, which increase access to finance," she said. Ms Owen noted the interest rate reduction earlier this year helped reinvigorate demand across the housing market on a fairly broad basis. While the average dwelling price has reached seven figures for the first time, Ms Owen said factors such as rate reductions had given markets like Sydney a "sugar hit", rather than triggering a large upswing like the robust growth seen in 2021. Australia's property market continues to strengthen and gain momentum as the value of the average home soars past the $1 million mark for the first time. The national mean dwelling price reached $1,002,500 in the March quarter, a 0.7 per cent increase from the previous three months, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Tuesday. Figures from the ABS show the total value of the nation's residential dwellings rose by $130.7 billion to a staggering $11.4 trillion. "We're certainly not going to see the massive increases that we saw during COVID, but we do think house prices will continue to increase, particularly as interest rates are predicted to fall further," she told AAP. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at the National Press Club on Tuesday, noted that regulation and red tape had made building and buying a home in Australia too hard. Mr Albanese said it was too complex and expensive to get a project off the ground, adding that Housing Minister Clare O'Neil had been tasked with reducing those barriers. "It is too hard and one of the areas is regulation," he told the National Press Club. He also backed a failed NSW project to redevelop Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse, describing the controversial proposal as "absolutely right". The proposal aimed to transform the 140-year-old track into a "mini-city" encompassing about 25,000 homes, but it was ultimately voted down by the racecourse owner's members. "That's the sort of thing that we're going to need to do. You can't deal with supply issues without having the courage to do things like that," Mr Albanese said. "(We) want to make sure that housing is fit for purpose and all of that but if we can cut through on some of the red tape, then that will reduce costs." According to the ABS, the increase in residential dwellings was fuelled by housing markets in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. While NSW remains Australia's most expensive property market with a median price of $1.25 million, Queensland is not far behind at $944,700. Though prices are rising, further interest rate cuts could slow the pace of increases compared to the same period last year. Data reveals the average price in the ACT went backwards, falling to $941,300, as the Northern Territory maintains the lowest mean price at $517,700. Eliza Owen, head of research at property analyst group Cotality, told AAP it was not a surprise the nation's property market continued to be pushed to record values. "(It comes) off the back of long-term constraint on housing supply, compounded by more recent factors like interest rate reductions, which increase access to finance," she said. Ms Owen noted the interest rate reduction earlier this year helped reinvigorate demand across the housing market on a fairly broad basis. While the average dwelling price has reached seven figures for the first time, Ms Owen said factors such as rate reductions had given markets like Sydney a "sugar hit", rather than triggering a large upswing like the robust growth seen in 2021. Australia's property market continues to strengthen and gain momentum as the value of the average home soars past the $1 million mark for the first time. The national mean dwelling price reached $1,002,500 in the March quarter, a 0.7 per cent increase from the previous three months, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Tuesday. Figures from the ABS show the total value of the nation's residential dwellings rose by $130.7 billion to a staggering $11.4 trillion. "We're certainly not going to see the massive increases that we saw during COVID, but we do think house prices will continue to increase, particularly as interest rates are predicted to fall further," she told AAP. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at the National Press Club on Tuesday, noted that regulation and red tape had made building and buying a home in Australia too hard. Mr Albanese said it was too complex and expensive to get a project off the ground, adding that Housing Minister Clare O'Neil had been tasked with reducing those barriers. "It is too hard and one of the areas is regulation," he told the National Press Club. He also backed a failed NSW project to redevelop Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse, describing the controversial proposal as "absolutely right". The proposal aimed to transform the 140-year-old track into a "mini-city" encompassing about 25,000 homes, but it was ultimately voted down by the racecourse owner's members. "That's the sort of thing that we're going to need to do. You can't deal with supply issues without having the courage to do things like that," Mr Albanese said. "(We) want to make sure that housing is fit for purpose and all of that but if we can cut through on some of the red tape, then that will reduce costs." According to the ABS, the increase in residential dwellings was fuelled by housing markets in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. While NSW remains Australia's most expensive property market with a median price of $1.25 million, Queensland is not far behind at $944,700. Though prices are rising, further interest rate cuts could slow the pace of increases compared to the same period last year. Data reveals the average price in the ACT went backwards, falling to $941,300, as the Northern Territory maintains the lowest mean price at $517,700. Eliza Owen, head of research at property analyst group Cotality, told AAP it was not a surprise the nation's property market continued to be pushed to record values. "(It comes) off the back of long-term constraint on housing supply, compounded by more recent factors like interest rate reductions, which increase access to finance," she said. Ms Owen noted the interest rate reduction earlier this year helped reinvigorate demand across the housing market on a fairly broad basis. While the average dwelling price has reached seven figures for the first time, Ms Owen said factors such as rate reductions had given markets like Sydney a "sugar hit", rather than triggering a large upswing like the robust growth seen in 2021. Australia's property market continues to strengthen and gain momentum as the value of the average home soars past the $1 million mark for the first time. The national mean dwelling price reached $1,002,500 in the March quarter, a 0.7 per cent increase from the previous three months, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Tuesday. Figures from the ABS show the total value of the nation's residential dwellings rose by $130.7 billion to a staggering $11.4 trillion. "We're certainly not going to see the massive increases that we saw during COVID, but we do think house prices will continue to increase, particularly as interest rates are predicted to fall further," she told AAP. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at the National Press Club on Tuesday, noted that regulation and red tape had made building and buying a home in Australia too hard. Mr Albanese said it was too complex and expensive to get a project off the ground, adding that Housing Minister Clare O'Neil had been tasked with reducing those barriers. "It is too hard and one of the areas is regulation," he told the National Press Club. He also backed a failed NSW project to redevelop Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse, describing the controversial proposal as "absolutely right". The proposal aimed to transform the 140-year-old track into a "mini-city" encompassing about 25,000 homes, but it was ultimately voted down by the racecourse owner's members. "That's the sort of thing that we're going to need to do. You can't deal with supply issues without having the courage to do things like that," Mr Albanese said. "(We) want to make sure that housing is fit for purpose and all of that but if we can cut through on some of the red tape, then that will reduce costs." According to the ABS, the increase in residential dwellings was fuelled by housing markets in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. While NSW remains Australia's most expensive property market with a median price of $1.25 million, Queensland is not far behind at $944,700. Though prices are rising, further interest rate cuts could slow the pace of increases compared to the same period last year. Data reveals the average price in the ACT went backwards, falling to $941,300, as the Northern Territory maintains the lowest mean price at $517,700. Eliza Owen, head of research at property analyst group Cotality, told AAP it was not a surprise the nation's property market continued to be pushed to record values. "(It comes) off the back of long-term constraint on housing supply, compounded by more recent factors like interest rate reductions, which increase access to finance," she said. Ms Owen noted the interest rate reduction earlier this year helped reinvigorate demand across the housing market on a fairly broad basis. While the average dwelling price has reached seven figures for the first time, Ms Owen said factors such as rate reductions had given markets like Sydney a "sugar hit", rather than triggering a large upswing like the robust growth seen in 2021.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Coaches' coffers boosted after months of soft cap angst
AFL coaches have had a win as they lobby for more soft cap relief, with head office announcing several financial measures to boost club football departments. From next year, senior coaches can earn up to $100,000 outside the soft cap from marketing service agreements. Geelong coach Chris Scott's deal with a club sponsor, announced late last year, raised eyebrows and reportedly attracted AFL attention. The soft cap limit will also rise by $750,000 next year, up from the original $250,000 boost. In 2027 the increase will be $350,000, an increase of $100,000 on what had been announced. From next season, 20 per cent of the salary of the most senior assistant coach or coaching director will sit outside the soft cap. That is on top of 20 per cent of the senior coach's salary already being outside the cap. "The combined impact of these changes for each club is estimated to be an additional $1.4 million of spend capacity per club over 2026-27, over and above the existing planned increases," the league said in a statement. The AFL will also stump up $500,000 to support coaches in their professional development and career transition. It follows months of growing angst among coaches and clubs, with the soft cap sharply reduced at the start of COVID-19. In April, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon derided the coaches' association as a "paper tiger", while Essendon counterpart Brad Scott said he had never seen the coaching group as a whole feel so disenfranchised. Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan made a presentation to the AFL commission late last year, while league chief executive Andrew Dillon has had a series of meetings in the past few weeks with senior coaches. "The soft cap is in place to provide some guard rails, such that each club can afford to put together a competitive football program," Dillon said. "How clubs choose to allocate and spend it across their football department is at their discretion to suit their specific circumstances. "Coaches are key leaders who play a pivotal role in our game and at their clubs. This additional soft cap space, earning capacity and support, recognises this importance. "The meetings we have had across the year allowed me to see first-hand their passion for the game and pressures associated with being a coach in such a high-profile role." Coaches' association chief executive Alistair Nicholson welcomed the changes, also noting the league would provide more detail soon. "In addition to the increases to the soft cap, which will increase a coach's earning potential, the introduction of a senior coach marketing agreement and the soft cap concession that will benefit the senior assistant coach or director of coaching, helps to recognise the significant contribution coaches make to the success of the game," Nicholson said. "We also acknowledge the contribution to professional development and transition that will complement the support already provided by the AFLCA." AFL coaches have had a win as they lobby for more soft cap relief, with head office announcing several financial measures to boost club football departments. From next year, senior coaches can earn up to $100,000 outside the soft cap from marketing service agreements. Geelong coach Chris Scott's deal with a club sponsor, announced late last year, raised eyebrows and reportedly attracted AFL attention. The soft cap limit will also rise by $750,000 next year, up from the original $250,000 boost. In 2027 the increase will be $350,000, an increase of $100,000 on what had been announced. From next season, 20 per cent of the salary of the most senior assistant coach or coaching director will sit outside the soft cap. That is on top of 20 per cent of the senior coach's salary already being outside the cap. "The combined impact of these changes for each club is estimated to be an additional $1.4 million of spend capacity per club over 2026-27, over and above the existing planned increases," the league said in a statement. The AFL will also stump up $500,000 to support coaches in their professional development and career transition. It follows months of growing angst among coaches and clubs, with the soft cap sharply reduced at the start of COVID-19. In April, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon derided the coaches' association as a "paper tiger", while Essendon counterpart Brad Scott said he had never seen the coaching group as a whole feel so disenfranchised. Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan made a presentation to the AFL commission late last year, while league chief executive Andrew Dillon has had a series of meetings in the past few weeks with senior coaches. "The soft cap is in place to provide some guard rails, such that each club can afford to put together a competitive football program," Dillon said. "How clubs choose to allocate and spend it across their football department is at their discretion to suit their specific circumstances. "Coaches are key leaders who play a pivotal role in our game and at their clubs. This additional soft cap space, earning capacity and support, recognises this importance. "The meetings we have had across the year allowed me to see first-hand their passion for the game and pressures associated with being a coach in such a high-profile role." Coaches' association chief executive Alistair Nicholson welcomed the changes, also noting the league would provide more detail soon. "In addition to the increases to the soft cap, which will increase a coach's earning potential, the introduction of a senior coach marketing agreement and the soft cap concession that will benefit the senior assistant coach or director of coaching, helps to recognise the significant contribution coaches make to the success of the game," Nicholson said. "We also acknowledge the contribution to professional development and transition that will complement the support already provided by the AFLCA." AFL coaches have had a win as they lobby for more soft cap relief, with head office announcing several financial measures to boost club football departments. From next year, senior coaches can earn up to $100,000 outside the soft cap from marketing service agreements. Geelong coach Chris Scott's deal with a club sponsor, announced late last year, raised eyebrows and reportedly attracted AFL attention. The soft cap limit will also rise by $750,000 next year, up from the original $250,000 boost. In 2027 the increase will be $350,000, an increase of $100,000 on what had been announced. From next season, 20 per cent of the salary of the most senior assistant coach or coaching director will sit outside the soft cap. That is on top of 20 per cent of the senior coach's salary already being outside the cap. "The combined impact of these changes for each club is estimated to be an additional $1.4 million of spend capacity per club over 2026-27, over and above the existing planned increases," the league said in a statement. The AFL will also stump up $500,000 to support coaches in their professional development and career transition. It follows months of growing angst among coaches and clubs, with the soft cap sharply reduced at the start of COVID-19. In April, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon derided the coaches' association as a "paper tiger", while Essendon counterpart Brad Scott said he had never seen the coaching group as a whole feel so disenfranchised. Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan made a presentation to the AFL commission late last year, while league chief executive Andrew Dillon has had a series of meetings in the past few weeks with senior coaches. "The soft cap is in place to provide some guard rails, such that each club can afford to put together a competitive football program," Dillon said. "How clubs choose to allocate and spend it across their football department is at their discretion to suit their specific circumstances. "Coaches are key leaders who play a pivotal role in our game and at their clubs. This additional soft cap space, earning capacity and support, recognises this importance. "The meetings we have had across the year allowed me to see first-hand their passion for the game and pressures associated with being a coach in such a high-profile role." Coaches' association chief executive Alistair Nicholson welcomed the changes, also noting the league would provide more detail soon. "In addition to the increases to the soft cap, which will increase a coach's earning potential, the introduction of a senior coach marketing agreement and the soft cap concession that will benefit the senior assistant coach or director of coaching, helps to recognise the significant contribution coaches make to the success of the game," Nicholson said. "We also acknowledge the contribution to professional development and transition that will complement the support already provided by the AFLCA."
Canberra Times
7 hours ago
- Canberra Times
Average home prices hit $1m with more growth to come
"We're certainly not going to see the massive increases that we saw during COVID, but we do think house prices will continue to increase, particularly as interest rates are predicted to fall further," she told AAP.
