The heart of any small rural community is often the supermarket, and when Covid-19 threatened food supply, the Back Country township of Wilcannia came up with a solution.

In 2022 an Aboriginal training organisation - Regional Enterprise Development Institute, known as REDI.E - purchased the town’s only supermarket.

Dubbo-based REDI.E partnered with Outback Stores - a Commonwealth-owned retail company, who manage the day-to-day operations; the partnership has meant the survival of Wilcannia’s Supermarket.

The alternative for Wilcannia residents is a 400 kilometre round trip to Broken Hill to the nearest supermarket.

On the day I visited Wilcannia’s Community Grocer, the store was full of people coming in and out, cheerfully greeted by staff members Sophie Cridland, Brodie Newton and Jamie Currie.  

I spoke with site manager Darrin Atkinson, who is originally from Melbourne, but is now enjoying the quiet lifestyle and community connections he has found in Wilcannia.

“I can walk home for lunch,” he laughed. “It’s one block away.”

He is proud of the impressively well-stocked and affordable supermarket in Myers Street.

“The presentation of the shop; It’s that cut and polished diamond in Wilcannia that we are very proud to have.”

“I can honestly say we have the freshest fruit and veg in 500 kilometres.”

After extensive renovations, the store stocks fresh bread, fresh and frozen meat, and a full selection of grocery items.

Darrin even showed us what he believes to be the only supermarket freezer section for kangaroo tails, popular for making kangaroo tail soup.

Operating as a not for profit means the supermarket was saved from closing, provides employment for local people, and keeps the townsfolk supplied with the fresh food and grocery items the rest of us take for granted.

For travellers, great nomads and regional workforces, it also provides an opportunity to stock up on stores, and is another good excuse to stop a while in Wilcannia.

The store is open all day Monday to Friday and weekend mornings.