The iconic town of Nyngan sits on the Bogan River, at the junction of the Barrier and Mitchell Highways, almost perfectly in the centre of NSW.
Since the famously devastating 1990 floods, it has been widely known for its unwavering community spirit, and that spirit has again come to the fore through a unique and vital community initiative known as the Bogan Bush-Fella Club.
This group of men, many whom have lived in the town their entire lives, meets every fortnight at the Nyngan Youth & Community Centre, and has become more than just a social club; it’s a lifeline for many.
The beauty, and to a degree the success of the Bogan Bush-Fella Club lies in its simplicity. There are no agendas, no formalities – just a group of fellas gathering to share stories, laugh, and support one another in the most genuine way.
Kevin Ryan emphasises how these simple conversations have created an environment that makes everyone feel welcome.
“The group started just over 12 months ago, and there’s nothing formal about it. You just come when you can, have a cup of coffee and share a few yarns. It’s a great way of getting together. There are a couple of fellas in the group that are really good at telling a long joke, and they keep us very entertained,” Kevin says.
Noel Finn, who grew up in nearby Forbes but moved to Nyngan more than 30 years ago, says the group has been fantastic for reconnecting with old mates and motivating him to socialise.
“It’s been really good – I’ve met a lot of blokes I haven’t seen for years. Getting older is something I’ve had trouble accepting, but there’s a fella here who’s 94, and it really charges your batteries up a bit,” he says.
“I figure you’ve got to squeeze a bit more out of life if you can.”
The Bogan Bush-Fella Club offers a welcome opportunity to connect with others who understand the joys and challenges of life in the bush.
For retired health and building inspector Col Cluderay, who raised his four children in Nyngan, the group has been instrumental in getting him out of the house and back into the community. He’s quick to say the fellas never run out of things to yarn about.
“I’ve been coming for about 10 months, and it’s been a great opportunity to get out and meet people. The old fellas have always got stories to tell – they were born here, grew up here, and they have some wonderful stories about the place.”
Col jokingly refers to himself as a “blow-in”, as he moved to Nyngan with the idea of staying for three years. That was 41 years ago. Something tells me these salt-of-the earth blokes, well and truly consider Col a local these days. The spirit of mateship comes through strongly at their gatherings, and one can’t help but feel these guys would do anything for each other.
The Bogan Bush-Fella Club (welcoming all ages) serves as a reminder that sometimes the simplest things can have the most profound impact. By coming together to chat, to yarn, these men have created something special – proof that connection doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful.