Up-To-Date Store Cultural Precinct

Attractions at the Up-to-date Store

The Lamson Cash Railway System

The World’s only known Ball-Style Cash Railway System that is still in its original location

The Lamson Cash Railway System is a significant feature of retail history. Installed in the Coolamon Up-to-Date Store during the early years of Lamson's entry onto the Australian retail stage, the Cash Railway is an integral feature of the Store.

The Mavis Furner Collection

An exquisite collection of over 200 crochet garments, accessories and photographs that interpret the life and experience of Mavis Furner and her work in the community of Coolamon

The Garth Jones Collection

Coolamon’s agricultural development is evident in this rare assortment of farm machinery, some in pristine condition. The accompanying photographs and story by Garth Jones himself is a personal history of working the land.

The Reg Godde Collection

Marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Reg Godde’s miniature farm machinery, entirely created by one man!

The Coolamon RSL Memorial Museum

Often it is the things left behind that must tell the stories of those who went to war. The Coolamon RSL Memorial Museum leads you through five interconnected rooms from the Boer War to the present displaying memorabilia, photographs and documents.

The Coolamon Library

The Coolamon Library has been integrated into the UTDS.   The library is separately managed and operates outside the scope of the UTDS and as such, is not part of this plan.

The History

The site where the Up-to-Date Store now stands was purchased at Coolamon’s second public auction sale in May 1883. The land passed through several hands over the years and was eventually taken over by Frederick `Daddy' Hall and commenced trading as the Up-to-Date Store.

Nicholas Mutton purchased the Store in 1908. Mr Mutton’s desire was to erect a building that would be leased out as a general store to meet the needs of the thriving town of Coolamon.

Built in 1909 to replace the original weatherboard building, the present store was commissioned and owned by Nicholas Mutton with the business being leased to Nadin, Iverach & Denoon. Mutton entered into a succession of leases, the final being with W. A. Iverach.   The building operated as a general store until 1932, when Mr Iverach relocated his business to a more central main street site.

The Mutton Family then continued to use the precinct as a storage area and workshop. After 80 years of ownership, Mutton & Co sold the Store in 1987. For the next 10 years, a second-hand and antiques business operated in the Store.

With the urging of the community, the Coolamon Shire Council purchased the property in 1996. The Store is now celebrated as a Cultural Facility & Museum as part of the Up-to-Date Learning & Cultural Centre.

The Store boasts its original fittings including the Lamson Cash Railway, which is the only known Ball- Style Cash Railway System in the world that is still in its original location. The Ball Style Cash Railway is the predecessor to the later models of cash carriers including the spring loaded ‘flying fox’ and the pneumatic systems that can still be found in department stores, today.

Sturdy wooden counters, shelves, benches and floors bear the physical imprint of the many thousands of customers and staff that moved through the interior over the years. The elegantly vaulted, wood-lined ceilings seem to echo with the countless voices of half a century.

The cellar was used for cool storage for cheese, eggs, hams and fish. It is amazing to read that as early as February 1907, fresh seafood could be purchased at the Store.

Designed and built to serve the people of the Coolamon district, the Up-to-Date Store resonates with the memories of the community.   The Store was divided into several different departments that included grocery, ironmongery, crockery, drapery, mercery, millinery, haberdashery, clothing and footwear. In fact, it is true that anything and everything, from a plough to a piano could be purchased from the Up-To-Date Store.

The Store remains as a visual reminder of the ingenuity and skill of local architects, builders and the retail traders and their staff. It also remains as a focus for the collective memories of the people who, over the years, have called Coolamon ‘home’. The Up-to-Date Store’s social and historical significance was acknowledged with its listing on the State Heritage Register in 2006.

The Centre Today

The Up-to-Date Store Cultural Precinct (UTDS) is a community asset owned by the Coolamon Shire Council.   The UTDS is recognised as a location of heritage significance in the Shire.   

Up-to-date Store Bookings

The Coolamon Up to date Cultural Precinct can be hired for:

• seminars and conferences
• travelling exhibitions
• youth activities (bands, arts related activities)
• local events (Art Show, Bottle Show, musical evenings)
• private functions
• museum tours
• community markets
• special events, concerts