Residents of The Rock, in southern NSW, take on businesses to keep town alive

Barb Payne takes great pride in her immaculate yard, spotless living room adorned with photos of cherished loved ones, and ensuring anyone who walks through the door is treated to a cuppa.

At 85, she has spent decades in this home she once shared with her late husband at The Rock, in southern New South Wales. 

"I'm very independent. I try and do things myself," she said

"I potter around the house, I get home care — but I mainly keep it nice and clean and tidy myself."

Ms Payne spent many hours as a volunteer in The Rock, a town named for the giant landmark that dominates the landscape, including running the Meals on Wheels Service, which she now receives.

"I say to myself, 'I think I've earned it,'" she says.

The Rock might be a small town, but residents are rolling up their sleeves to help people like Ms Payne, who now has a condition on her licence that restricts how far she can travel.

Some unlikely characters have taken on local businesses, including the butcher shop, the post office and, crucially, the doctors surgery.

Luke Golds grew up in town and is now the local butcher.

He said while it was not his long-term plan to stay, the people had won his heart.

"I started as a wash-up boy seven years ago and got my apprenticeship [here]," Mr Golds said.

"If this was just a random town, I probably wouldn't have done it."

And he almost didn't, with the butcher closing for six months before he took it on.

It was something Ms Payne said almost broke her heart.

"[I'm happy as] long as I can get to the butchers … the post office and the doctors," she said.

Mr Golds said he was inspired by his dad, Bobby Rushby, who told the ABC he took over the post office a couple years ago "to save it from going under".

Like his dad, Mr Golds could not stand by and watch local businesses close and people disappear from town.

"They get their two sausages and a steak and go home and do it again the next day," he said.

"I feel like family to them really, I love them."

Medical care crucial

In addition to the butcher and post office, The Rock has a small grocery store, an op shop, chemist, hairdresser and a club.

The population is also serviced by a medical centre, built by Ayman Shenouda and his wife Samiha Azab, both GPs who have worked in The Rock since 2002.

"The community is special," Dr Shenouda said.

The medical practice has a doctor available every day, a workload shared by the couple as well as other doctors at their Glenrock Family Practice, based in Wagga Wagga.

Recently, the pair have employed a doctor who will be based permanently in The Rock for at least the next three years.

Dr Shenouda and Dr Azab have also helped establish a nursing home for those unable to care for themselves but who don't want to leave their town.

Gail Driscoll, a councillor and member of The Rock Progress Association, said the village had attracted young families due to its housing affordability, but residents enjoyed how self-sufficient the community was.

"Some small communities do exist without those services [but] The Rock … provides to all demographics," she said.

"We also have a fantastic school that has before-and-after-school care."

Although many bases are covered, there is one basic amenity the community is working with council to try to bring back.

"A servo most definitely would probably make it a town again," Mr Golds said.

The progress association and council have been working with outside investors in order to bring fuel back.

But for what it still lacks in services, The Rock makes up for in its people and its sense of community.

And for Ms Payne, that is what matters most.

"I love it. I would not change it for the world," she said.