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.
Bill has worked with Landline, as well as some of the ABC's top current affairs programs including AM and The World Today. He tweets @billormonde_2.
Latest by Bill Ormonde
Families in dark on whether children were exposed before toxic mould outbreak closed high school
Questions remain about how long a mould infestation discovered at Broken Hill's Willyama High School last month has been growing, and whether the health of children and staff has been compromised.
Mould outbreak at high school forces indefinite closure days before start of new school year
Hundreds of students and staff from a regional public high school will be relocated for the beginning of Term 1 next week due to mould detection in multiple buildings.
AFL draft disappointment driving young footballer forward
Only a few dozen footballers from across the country are selected in the AFL draft each year. For those who miss out, like Broken Hill's Jackson Savage, you can either give up or do everything you can to make that dream a reality.
Angry Menindee locals still cleaning up more than a year after flooding
For Paul Grose, damage to his home during flooding in late 2022 was "devastating". He hopes a recent review into the event will help authorities prevent others from experiencing the same fate.
Police arrest Broken Hill inmate almost three days after escape
Corrective Services NSW have launched a full investigation into how the 24-year-old was able to escape the local courthouse.
Record smashed as storms deliver six months' worth of rain in Broken Hill
The outback city received close to half its average yearly rainfall total on the weekend.
Two train workers dead after crash between train and truck, near NSW and SA border
Police say two train workers have died and the Barrier Highway is closed in both directions after a crash between a train and truck in Bindarrah.
Wildlife advocates, farmers at odds after NSW report shows kangaroo numbers down by two million
An official survey estimates the roo population declined significantly across New South Wales in the past 12 months, yet farmers say numbers appear healthy.
Outback music festivals raise more than $1 million for Royal Flying Doctor Service
Hosting two of the most remote music festivals in the country comes with added challenges when things go wrong, but the RFDS is never too far away, with patrons showing their appreciation by raising more than $1 million for the healthcare service.
Outback rain gives desperate farmers welcome options days from Christmas
Farmers in far west NSW had made the "heartbreaking" decision to sell their livestock before a change in the weather gave them a far more positive outlook.
Storm cuts power to remote country town for almost 40 hours
Residents in the small, isolated community of Ivanhoe in Western New South Wales are without power after a storm rolled through almost 40 hours ago, with some locals relying on generators to keep the lights on and food chilled.
Outback farmers take 'rare opportunity' to harvest crops after major flooding
A year ago their paddocks were under water, but now the McClures are harvesting hectares of oats, having used flooding to their advantage.
Outback mine boss hopeful site will sell as nearly 200 jobs hang in balance
The general manager of CBH Resources believes there could be another six to nine months of production at Broken Hill's Rasp Mine, but more jobs could be lost if it does not sell.
Broken Hill braces for mine closure as Christmas looms
Hundreds of workers are expected to be made redundant if the mine is not sold and fears about the impact on the regional economy are growing. The staged closure is set to begin at the end of the month.
Job cuts likely as Broken Hill mine announces staged shutdown
An uncertain future lies ahead for workers at CBH Resources' Rasp Mine, where some staff have been told today will be their last on site.
River residents call for urgent action as fish kill fears rise
Concerned observers say very little has changed in the seven months since tens of millions of fish suffocated to death along the Darling River, where dozens of Murray cod have been found dead in recent months.
'So special': Iconic trades hall buildings set for $1.2m funding and World Heritage honours
Following a series of strikes for better conditions in the 1800s, including compensation for death or injury and the eight-hour day, Broken Hill workers helped forge the foundations for the union movement in Australia and across the world.
'Kevin' the baby echidna, who was saved from floodwaters, reunited with Kevin his rescuer
Last year "Kevin" the baby echidna was pulled from floodwaters along the Darling River, shivering and alone. After 11 months of rehabilitation he was released back into the wild — but not before he was reunited with his rescuer.
Fast-track for compressed-air power facility set to inject 'hundreds of millions' into outback city
A new agreement has fast-tracked the construction of a project that could inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Broken Hill's economy and create 780 full-time jobs.
Ryan's fight for life cost him his feet and several fingers, but he's still his 'cheeky' little self
Last Christmas, Broken Hill toddler Ryan Lines was fighting for his life after his body went into septic shock due to a bacterial infection. Now, he's adjusting to his new life as his family raises awareness about the condition.
People of 'forgotten river' meet Sarah Hanson-Young in Menindee ahead of 'pivotal' water debate
With amendments to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in the spotlight, the Greens Senator travelled to outback NSW to meet locals living along the Darling River.
Albanese's lightning trip to Broken Hill met with mixed opinions ahead of Saturday's Voice to Parliament vote
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Broken Hill to speak with locals about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum ahead of voting day this weekend.
Outback music festival's star-studded 2024 line-up to include Daryl Braithwaite, Vanessa Amorosi
Organisers of the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill have unveiled their acts for the 2024 event, also including Ian Moss, Tim Finn and The Living End.
'He's not being very cooperative': Outback police investigating how man was shot in the hand
Police are still trying to piece together how a 26-year-old man received a gunshot wound to his hand outside Broken Hill in far-west NSW.
Young pilot blazing a trail for autistic aviators touches down in outback NSW
Hayden McDonald, 22, is hoping to break misconceptions about autism on his 14,000km journey around the country, stopping at regional communities and schools along the way.