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LAST YEAR |
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We must say a big thank you to everyone who attended the 2009 Yeoval Country Energy Mulga Bill Festival. Over the 3 days it is estimated that 6000 people attended at least 1 of the functions. We started the Festival with the Friday afternoon with the opening of the Buckinbah Art Show with 190 entries beautifully displayed by our priceless curator Mrs Lea Tucker of Narromine - ably assisted by husband and Artist-in-Residence Ken Tucker. The hanging and the lighting was perfect and 16 works were sold over the 3 days with sales exceeding $5000. The ritzy opening was performed after his judge’s comments and place announcement by our distinguished Judge and co-sponsor Mr Robert Stevens of Aarwun Gallery Canberra. Held in the Yeoval Golf Clubhouse this intimate space was perfect for both the hangings and the Sculpture works. It is our Gallery of choice next year and we encourage all artists to put the dates in the diary for one of the best displays and selling venues in the district. An hour later the crowd moved onto the Yeoval Bowling Club at the front of the Yeoval Sports Ground where most of the grassed areas (apart from the Oval) had been taken up by campers staying on what we called “Banjo’s Billabong”. Out on the barbeque lawn beside the Club the Bowling Club President assembled the troops and while the Jumping Castle entertained the children, the President ran and in turn ran out of free sausage sandwiches. The crowd swelled and at 7pm in the absence of Mr Stephen Lee, Tracey Lee of Lee Pyrotechnics, Parkes pushed the button and the “Country Energy” Fireworks began. It was without a doubt one of the most spectacular displays I have ever seen and over 15 years I have seen a lot to compare it to - from Adelaide to Brisbane. Over 1200 excited locals and visitors had a very exciting evening many staying on for the hospitality and entertainment that followed inside the Club after the magnificent “Country Energy Fireworks Display” Early Saturday morning the stallholders started to set up in the Banjo Paterson Bush Park. Just over 50 stalls were blessed with perfect weather and a crowd of 2500 through the gate and a few locals who jumped the fence. There were stalls of all descriptions - from Gelato to used farm bits and pieces - from Pony Rides to Pizza. Just after 10.30 down the road came the magnificent Mudgee Brewery Clydesdale Team and delivered the great Australian National Treasure Mr Jack Thompson into the hands of MC Cliff Crane. After a short introduction the assembled crowd was delighted with a recital of Mulga Bills Bicycle as only the rugged voice of Jack Thompson can recite. Jack then moved amongst the crowd and found a seat where he sat for some hours meeting old friends, making new ones and swapping yarns. Minders Andrew Cantrell and Glenys Rowe made time for lunch and then Jack donned his National Tree Day Ambassador Hat and walked the 700 metres Poets Walk along Buckinbah Creek. He stopped at each small group for photos and words of encouragement as 100 trees were planted. This Poets Walk leads from the Banjo Paterson Bush Park to the ruins of the original Paterson Homestead on Buckinbah Station. Upon reaching the ruins Jack Thompson then planted his own tree and moved to the large sandstone Picnic Seat with the sculptured profile of Banjo beautifully carved by Sculptor Colin Fenn of Bathurst. The Seat was already full with older members of the Community. This delighted Jack who asked everyone to remain seated as he was pleased the seat was being used for the purpose it was built. Jack stood beside the seat and dedicated it to the memory of Banjo Paterson. The many hundreds who had walked along the creek to be there listened to a very interesting and moving speech about Banjo, his name and his association with the Australian Bush. Then, with not a dry eye in the paddock, Jack Thompson gave a very moving recital of “The Man from Snowy River” standing on the site where Banjo spent his childhood years over a century before. Across the road from the Park the Art Show and Scale Model Flying Aircraft were doing a roaring business on the showground/Golf Club, with delighted crowds walking the short distance along the flag lined street to visit both features. The crowd then returned to the Festival in the Banjo Paterson Bush Park and as it started to slow down the Yeoval Royal Hotel came alive with the annual Mulga Bill Quickshear Competition. It was much improved on previous years with the extended entertainment area at the rear of the Royal and the purpose built Shearing platform stage. Competition Shearing against the clock for juniors and seniors, with shearer against shearer, kept the Crowd entertained for hours. The on-site barbeque gave hamburgers on the run for everyone and the roustabouts fleece throwing competition was also very popular. The action didn’t stop with our hosts Cheryl and Mark putting on a Band to wile the night away. Sunday morning the Festival reassembled at the Showground, leaving the Banjo Paterson Bush Park vacant, providing the room necessary to run the Mulga Bill Bike Ride with the whole park being used as the marshalling area. Early morning Showers in Dubbo and Orange caused many to leave the bikes at home and the riders participating was down by half on the previous year. The new format of splitting the ride into two groups, the mums, dads and children all headed out into the Wellington Shire where Council had arranged for total road closed conditions on the Bournewood Road giving a very safe 32 km return trip or turn around at any of the 3klm markers and return if so desired. This proved very popular, very enjoyable, and very safe for those who participated -no racing riders and no traffic - a cyclists dream! The faster, more experienced riders set out in the opposite direction and rode the 52 km return trip to Cumnock. Riders in both rides were all eligible for the lucky draw, which was sponsored by Darryl Grant Cycles of Orange. Everyone was very pleased to learn that the new Mountain Bike went to a very enthusiastic and regular participant Miss Hannah Wykes of Bournewood. The showers continued to close in which finished the day early - the Army packed up early but the crowd stayed on and although the planes were grounded, the stall holders traded very well indeed. It was a very diverse Sunday with a very challenging mini golf course (free entry and open to all), Vintage Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Tractors and Engines all strutted their stuff. There was live entertainment on the stage, lots to eat, a good quiet bar and the Art show all made it a very enjoyable outing. For a good value-for-money weekend with lots to see and do, it’s a family delight - don’t miss the next Mulga Bill Festival. Stay overnight in Wellington or in a Caravan in “Banjo’s Billabong”.
Last weekend in July - 23rd 24th 25th July 2010. |