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.
Latest by Bill Ormonde
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, 50 years after the artist died.
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.
Plenty of beer but no-one to run 130yo pub as town fights to 'keep place alive'
Slim Dusty once played there and it was bustling pre-pandemic, but now the doors are shut at Cockburn's pub with locals fearing the tiny town will die without its business.
Coburn Hotel
Cockburn from the sky at sunset.
Duration: 21 seconds
Broken Hill Vinnies forced to close amid search for new manager
Vinnies has taken the extraordinary step of offering pay for the position. While locals will feel the loss, there are hopes that the op shop will open again soon.
Siblings charged in connection with brother's alleged stabbing in Broken Hill
The brother and sister of a man who lost a leg after being flown to Adelaide for treatment have been arrested and denied bail.
Educational success story proves there's a strong appetite for tertiary education in the bush
Defying initial expectations, Broken Hill's Country Universities Centre continues to create positive change — and now local politicians are lobbying for its expansion.
Broken Hill man fights for life after late-night stabbing
A Broken Hill man has been flown to Adelaide following a stabbing at a home in the city's north.
It's not known what the exact circumstances are surrounding the stabbing, but the men are believed to be known to each other.
Rain welcomed by outback graziers after dry, dusty conditions
A wet winter front has changed the fortunes of far west NSW farmers who had been waiting for months for rain to return.
Broken Hill man released on bail after allegedly trying to import child-like sex doll and possessing child exploitation material
A 24-year-old Broken Hill man is arrested and charged following a two-month investigation by Australian Border Force, which searched his property with police after allegedly finding a child-like doll on air freight from China.
Broken Hill brings university to the outback to keep skills close to home
The Country Universities Centre is slowly shifting attitudes towards higher education, giving more locals the chance to pursue their dreams without moving away.
Plans in place to add three EV charging stations between Broken Hill and Adelaide
The journey between Broken Hill and Adelaide can be a challenge for electric vehicle drivers, but there are plans to take a bit of charging anxiety out of the trip.
NSW's chief scientist begins review into Menindee's mass fish kill that left about 20 million native fish dead
NSW's chief scientist is aware his team will need to overcome distrust from some Menindee locals as it begins a review into the cause behind a mass fish kill in the Darling River during March.
'Pumped, stoked, ready to go': Outback Rugby League back from the brink to restore 'fabric' of small towns
After a near-death last year and months of hard work behind the scenes, the Wilcannia Boomerangs and Menindee Yabbies have rejoined a four-team competition.
Job losses expected at one of Broken Hill's largest mining operations
A number of employees and contractors working at the company Perilya may be out of a job due to a staff restructure in one of its mines.
Elders' new homes to help address systemic overcrowding in Wilcannia
For decades, the problem of overcrowding has plagued the outback NSW town, but some relief is in sight with five elder housing units completed and more to come.
Inquiry in the works for Menindee fish kill that suffocated about 20 million
Following the ecological disaster of the Menindee fish kills, an inquiry timeline has been announced. NSW environment minister Penny Sharpe said the investigation could be underway in a matter of weeks.
Jasmine Simmons signs with Port Adelaide's AFLW side after two seasons with the Crows
The 24-year-old requested the move in an effort to further her career and be a part of the developing club for its second season in the national competition.
Broken Hill Civic Centre legal costs still 'six months' away from being finalised
This time last year, the council won its case against the architecture firm behind bungled renovations at the centre. But with the firm in administration, the city is yet to recoup its legal bill of more than $10 million.
NSW premier vows to investigate mass fish deaths during visit to scene of disaster
Chris Minns and Acting Water Minister Penny Sharpe heard from locals about the impact of the event and vowed to try to prevent similar incidents from happening.
'Significant planning' underway to clean up massive fish kill in NSW's far west
An emergency response centre, headed by NSW Police, has been put into action in the state's far west to coordinate the clean-up of the worst mass kill ever to hit the Darling River in Menindee.
Millions of dead fish continue floating in region's worst mass kill
Authorities have confirmed the overall scale and size of this mass fish kill eclipses similar events in 2018 and 2019.
Dead fish 'as far as the eye can see' as another mass kill event hits regional NSW
The Department of Primary Industries sends investigators to Menindee, in far west NSW, after hundreds of thousands of dead fish are found in the Darling River.
Save the Darling-Baaka River campaign launched by NSW Greens ahead of state election
A plan to drastically change current water management practices in the Darling River has been launched by the NSW Greens, with the aim to oust the National party from water management portfolios.