The Trundle community hopes the $1 million makeover of its main street will leave a lasting impression on all who stop by.
While its residents and visitors have been enjoying the new look and features since about May last year, it truly was a special moment for the town when the street was officially 'open' and the work recognised on Australia Day, January 26.
Trundle War Memorial Hall Committee president and community stalwart Andrew Rawsthorne said about 10 years ago the community came together to paint shopfronts and help to fix-up the Trundle Hotel and other buildings.
It involved 94 volunteers doing 1400 hours of work over four years.
"It was obvious that we needed a long-term plan," Andrew said.
During Covid it was time for Sunrise Energy Metals (formerly Clean TeQ) to make its first Voluntary Agreement payment which saw Parkes Shire Council approach the Trundle community asking if they had a project in mind that the money could be spent on.
The outcome was a masterplan for the main street, with $100,000 coming from Sunrise Energy Metals and $945,400 from the NSW Government's Your High Street program.
Three community workshops were held involving 50-60 people who were able to contribute and provide input into a plan that best suited Trundle.
Now what they have is a main street that's inviting, thriving and community-focused.
It boasts beautiful new tree plantings and garden beds, safer pedestrian access, public toilets and a vibrant community hub perfect for gatherings and events.
"Each of the garden beds have water and electricity so if we have events in the main street we can plug-in from those beds," Andrew said.
"We can host a long lunch or dinner with music and entertainment and they can use those electrical points."
Andrew is particularly looking forward to the day the crepe myrtle trees are fully mature.
"They grow eight metres tall and six metres wide, when they're matured and flowering they will look quite spectacular," he said.
"One thing I love is the lighting, there are fairy lights up through the trees.
"The main street looked like a ghost town at night, you wouldn't even know it was a main street.
"Now it's well lit, it looks a million dollars.
"You never get a second chance to make a good first impression."
As for the community hub, an ideal meeting place, there's already been market days, community barbecues and a concert.
"St Patrick's held a concert and they brought the elderly residents from the health service up on a nice day where they also had coffee," Andrew said.
"Essential Energy did community barbecues during blackouts.
"That's what it's all about - activating the main street.
"I'm a big fan of the whole thing."
President of the Trundle Progress Association which incorporates the Community Consultative Committee, Peter Kelly said the transformation has been a great lift to the town and to travellers.
The public toilets, he added, were an important addition, as were the pedestrian refuges.
"[The toilets] encourage people to stop and I think it has encouraged them to stop," Peter said.
"Also there's the safety for the elderly - it's a wide street and it's a long hike across there.
"Now it has a designated crossing point, it looks like people belong there."
The official opening attracted 60-70 people and included speeches from Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott, Peter and State Member for Orange Phil Donato.
"It was tremendous," Andrew said of the opening.
"The mayor spoke very graciously [of Trundle]."
Peter likened the opening to a first step in a grand vision for the area.
"It was a good recognition at this time, and I say that because there's more we'd like to do, we'll regroup and see what's next," he said.
"It's good to put a line in the sand and acknowledge the achievement and involvement of the Shire (Council), state government and Sunrise Energy Metals."
As part of the overall plan the Hall Committee is now working towards creating a new park in the vacant area next to the Memorial Hall.
Landscaping is expected to begin soon with the Trundle Services Club supplying the trees.