One supermarket.
One pharmacy.
One seniors footy team.
One A-grade netball side.
And just one pub.
You get the picture, right?
But Tonny is also one of those all-for-one and one-for-all places that is home to 2000 people — 99 per cent of whom would say community is what makes their little town tick. That, and the unified attitude of looking out for each other through thick and thin.
Nestled in between carpets of emerald green plains home to dairy cattle, cropping and the occasional livestock enterprise — and, just beginning to make their annual appearance, golden fields of canola — this little dot on the map is fiercely proud, fiercely independent and yet retains an aura of small country charm that only history and generations of families can provide.
It’s hard to find a local business that doesn’t have a local name attached — such as McConnell Bus Operations.
Owner Gary McConnell vouches for the town’s neighbourly feel — it is all he has ever known.
“I was born in Tongala and have lived here ever since,” he said.
“It has always been a really good community where everyone is involved, whether it is at the schools or sporting groups or otherwise. Tongala is the sort of friendly town where most people will say hello when you walk down the street.”
Tongala Pharmacy’s Carol Cooke agrees: “I just think it is a lovely place to live, with lots of locals, and everyone cares about what is happening in our town and about each other,” she says.
“There is certainly a lot of support amongst locals, for locals. Especially in times like now, everyone is keeping an eye out for each other.”
Tonny has adopted the moniker ‘the friendly town’ for good reason.
One thing is certain: you would have to clock up a lot of country miles to find a more colourful town — and this one boasts some colourful characters, too.
Offering a kaleidoscope of colour, many of the town's brick buildings have been emblazoned with murals depicting Tongala new and old — most of which is the handiwork of Tongala Street Art Group’s Murray Ross and his merry band.
Described by Mr Ross as “Australiana”, the 50-plus artistic portrayals found tucked around street corners and hidden behind residences don’t paper over the past, but rather bring it to the forefront of the town’s existence.
And who better to revive Tongala history than those who live there.
“We use local people where we can for the murals,” Mr Ross said.
“They (the murals) are all about sustainability for a town like Tongala. With the downturn of the dairy industry and the Nestlé factory’s closure, we had to come up with a survival plan.”
But it’s not just the arts and culture sphere where Tongala stands out.
Not surprisingly, the town also bats well above its weight when it comes to sport.
A giant-beater in its own right, Tongala has nurtured many athletes to the top and constantly performs well in footy, cricket and netball.
“Tongala is a friendly and close-knit community; the town has strong and passionate sporting culture, pushing for future success. It has incredible sporting facilities for such a small town,” Tongala Cricket Club coach Daniel Coombs said.
“Tongala Cricket Club has worked hard over the years to compete with the big towns in the area.
“A focus on nurturing youngsters, providing the best possible facilities/coaching and promoting a family club environment has seen the club go from strength to strength.”