Cooking up new kitchen plans at Cooyal Park Reserve

Members of Cooyal Park Reserve Trust are busy cooking up plans for the latest phase of improvements at Cooyal Hall – a complete refurbishment of the kitchen.

Joyce Purtle, trust secretary/treasurer, said many improvements had been made to facilities at the reserve over the past 20 years. The reserve contains two tennis courts, Cooyal Tennis Club’s clubhouse and fire brigade sheds, as well as Cooyal Hall.

Trust and community members at the Hall

“Since the early 1990s the tennis courts and clubhouse have been built as well as the fire shed which was recently extended,” Mrs Purtle said.

“Work has also been done on the hall, including the addition of an extensive southern veranda and a storage room on the northern side, and the erection of a steel front fence and planting of a row of bottle brushes has greatly enhanced the approach to the park.

“The outside of the hall has been plastered and we are now planning a complete refurbishment of the kitchen which will see the installation of a concrete floor and all stainless steel fittings.

“The park plays host to a wide range of activities. The Endurance Riders base their annual ride here, the lighted tennis courts are used regularly, and the community nurse from Mudgee comes once a month to do health checks.

“The fire brigade has a rigorous training programme and field days and the Hall is well used for parties, community events and other functions as well as a fortnightly craft group.

“Over the years the Mudgee Shire, now Mid Western Regional Council, has granted an annual donation to the park and licence fees from the Hall, tennis club and fire brigade have also provided much appreciated funds.”

The park, which is located about 17 kilometres north east of Mudgee, was proclaimed as a park on 23 March 1913. Cooyal Hall was erected in 1927.