Shire buzzing with Olympic excitement

Narrabri Shire is abuzz with Olympic excitement as the community celebrates its two Olympians who are competing in the 2024 Paris games.

Businesses are going to extraordinary lengths to celebrate the shire’s link to the Olympics, from colourful signs and decorations on premises to trucks emblazoned with messages of support for Olympians Shannan Davey and Laura Gourley.

The broader community is equally as excited, with Narrabri’s schools celebrating the fact that both Davey and Gourley were local primary and high school students.

Speaking with The Courier about the Olympic excitement around the shire, mayor Darrell Tiemens said the Paris Olympics was a unique moment in the history of the shire with two local competitors.

“I speak for the entire community when I say that we are immensely proud of their achievements,” Cr Tiemens said.

“The fact that they both went to Narrabri High School is fantastic.

“It really does show that you can achieve anything from Narrabri.

Cr Tiemens said he had spoken to people from outside the shire who are in disbelief that a shire of Narrabri’s size has produced two Olympians competing at the same games.

“Everywhere I go, there are signs, splashes of green and gold and posters. We are really embracing the spirit of the Olympics,” he said.

“Both Laura and Shannan carry with them our very best wishes.

“They are where they are through hard work and determination.

“We are cheering them on from the great North West.”

Cr Tiemens said both Olympians had been contacted to send best wishes from the shire.