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Bill Ormonde
Broken Hill, NSW
Bill is a video journalist covering outback New South Wales. He came to the ABC after working in regional television in Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Orange.
Since arriving in Broken Hill in 2021 he has covered stories including Wilcannia's COVID outbreak, the NSW Government's response to the Ice Inquiry, flooding along the Darling River and most recently the Menindee fish kill.
Bill has worked with Landline, as well as some of the ABC's top current affairs programs including AM and The World Today. He tweets @billormonde_2.
Latest by Bill Ormonde
Outback mine boss hopeful site will sell as nearly 200 jobs hang in balance
The general manager of CBH Resources believes there could be another six to nine months of production at Broken Hill's Rasp Mine, but more jobs could be lost if it does not sell.
Broken Hill braces for mine closure as Christmas looms
Hundreds of workers are expected to be made redundant if the mine is not sold and fears about the impact on the regional economy are growing. The staged closure is set to begin at the end of the month.
Job cuts likely as Broken Hill mine announces staged shutdown
An uncertain future lies ahead for workers at CBH Resources' Rasp Mine, where some staff have been told today will be their last on site.
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River residents call for urgent action as fish kill fears rise
Concerned observers say very little has changed in the seven months since tens of millions of fish suffocated to death along the Darling River, where dozens of Murray cod have been found dead in recent months.
'So special': Iconic trades hall buildings set for $1.2m funding and World Heritage honours
Following a series of strikes for better conditions in the 1800s, including compensation for death or injury and the eight-hour day, Broken Hill workers helped forge the foundations for the union movement in Australia and across the world.
'Kevin' the baby echidna, who was saved from floodwaters, reunited with Kevin his rescuer
Last year "Kevin" the baby echidna was pulled from floodwaters along the Darling River, shivering and alone. After 11 months of rehabilitation he was released back into the wild — but not before he was reunited with his rescuer.
Fast-track for compressed-air power facility set to inject 'hundreds of millions' into outback city
A new agreement has fast-tracked the construction of a project that could inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Broken Hill's economy and create 780 full-time jobs.
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Ryan's fight for life cost him his feet and several fingers, but he's still his 'cheeky' little self
Last Christmas, Broken Hill toddler Ryan Lines was fighting for his life after his body went into septic shock due to a bacterial infection. Now, he's adjusting to his new life as his family raises awareness about the condition.
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People of 'forgotten river' meet Sarah Hanson-Young in Menindee ahead of 'pivotal' water debate
With amendments to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in the spotlight, the Greens Senator travelled to outback NSW to meet locals living along the Darling River.
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Albanese's lightning trip to Broken Hill met with mixed opinions ahead of Saturday's Voice to Parliament vote
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Broken Hill to speak with locals about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum ahead of voting day this weekend.
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Outback music festival's star-studded 2024 line-up to include Daryl Braithwaite, Vanessa Amorosi
Organisers of the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill have unveiled their acts for the 2024 event, also including Ian Moss, Tim Finn and The Living End.
'He's not being very cooperative': Outback police investigating how man was shot in the hand
Police are still trying to piece together how a 26-year-old man received a gunshot wound to his hand outside Broken Hill in far-west NSW.
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Young pilot blazing a trail for autistic aviators touches down in outback NSW
Hayden McDonald, 22, is hoping to break misconceptions about autism on his 14,000km journey around the country, stopping at regional communities and schools along the way.
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Outback blokes from NSW complete English Channel swim in relay team
Grazier Brendan Cullen and former policeman Ben Clavel are part of a relay team which has swum the English Channel in 13 hours and 15 minutes — the culmination of months of hard work, including training in the Menindee Lakes.
Customers 'shocked and frustrated' after leading insurer closes outback office
The Royal Automobile Association of SA is under pressure to reverse the decision in the mining city of Broken Hill, with many elderly residents saying it will make it harder for them to organise their insurance.
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Tens of millions of fish ran out of air in a major NSW river. A scientist says that is just the start of its problems
Water management is in the spotlight after the NSW Chief Scientist's office handed down its findings and recommendations into a mass fish kill in Menindee.
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Outback mining landmark cops illegal graffiti visible kilometres away
CCTV of vandals has been given to police after the word FOMO was spray painted in large bold yellow letters on top of a prominent Broken Hill building.
Solid Rock an uplifting force for Shane Howard and musical outback children at Mundi Mundi festival
Children from some of NSW's most remote schools travelled hundreds of kilometres to perform alongside Australian music royalty Shane Howard in front of 12,000 people.
Wilcannia's unique emu foot-shaped Baaka Cultural Centre a boon to town
After years of hard work lobbying state and federal politicians, construction on the long-awaited Baaka Cultural Centre is about to begin in Wilcannia.
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Junior AFL in Broken Hill under the microscope after teams struggle to get numbers
An expert commissioned by AFL Broken Hill's board to look at player data has delivered a set of recommendations to help ensure a strong and resilient local competition.
Footballer set to make history in Broken Hill as first woman to reach 150 games
Six years ago, a shattered hand meant Phoebe Knell was looking at the end of her football career. Her determination kept her in the game and now she's reached a major milestone.
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Outback residents face longer wait for fix to water issues after $10m contract terminated
The Central Darling Shire says it is "unlikely" it will have enough funds to deliver both Wilcannia and Ivanhoe's planned water treatment plants, with White Cliffs now the priority.
After 28 years, a campaign to honour artist Fred Jobson gets green light in silver city
For almost three decades, Broken Hill resident Don Mudie has been campaigning for a civic building to be renamed to honour Fred Jobson. Now, 50 years after the artist died, the dream is becoming a reality.
Shuttered tourism hub set for another upgrade in long-running bid to lure new operator
It's an outback tourist attraction that has been closed for more than two years despite millions of dollars in upgrades. But residents are not ready to give up on it yet.
Rapper The Kid LAROI sponsors outback footy club's Indigenous guernsey
From the west coast of the United States, rapper The Kid LAROI is making his mark on his former hometown in outback New South Wales.