FROM from historic town of Grenfell in the Lachlan Valley, to the hilltops of Boorowa and beyond, this special publication highlights the remarkable diversity of our region. While agriculture is our area's predominant industry, the past year has seen many small businesses survive and thrive during the pandemic.

For the tourist exploring the region, there are smart cafes and places of interest nestled in rural cities such as Dubbo and Young. Ever since British explorer, George William Evans surveyed the Lachlan Valley in 1815, the area has attracted thousands of tourists, businesses, enterprises and residents to this pristine, beautiful region.

Visit Young, the nation's cherry capital, and nearby Grenfell, where gold prospectors flocked to what was then known as Emu Creek in the 1850s. Indigenous culture continues to be celebrated in the area with the Wiradjuri people inhabiting NSW for more than 60,000 years and retaining the largest cultural footprint in the state.

This past year has been a challenge for many in the community, as the pandemic forced us into lockdown earlier on. But our communities are strong and resilient and in the lead-up to Christmas, you will find the "Open for Business" sign back on the doors of many of our retail and industrial outlets.

Over the next few pages we discover some of the treasures in our towns, including Canowindra, Cowra, Forbes, Parkes and Hilltops. Our state and federal MPs provide an update of how governments are assisting communities in our region.

We give tips on controlling Paterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum) , the weed that has been in bloom throughout the shire recently. Plus there's information about the best way of cleaning windows, how to improve your water supply and attracting those tree changers considering a move away from the big smoke.

So enjoy reading the Western Rural Guide and don't forget to let friend and family know about it, so as many people as possible read and learn about our beautiful region.