From needlework to bucking bulls, Bundarra will once again host a “good old fashioned” agricultural show from next Friday, January 25 – 27; with a strong focus on giving a break to hard working farmers crippled by the drought.
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“It’s going to be a tough one this year because of the drought. I don’t think people are going to have the money to spend or even the initiative or the get up and go to come to the show because of the way the drought is. It’s just a very, very tough year,” show president Raechel King said.
“What I would like to do is try and have support there for farmers. Just so that it’s more of a release that they can just come along and just try and forget about where they are at that point.” She hopes to see farmers come by the free festivities, even just for a couple of hours.
“Talk to some other farmers that are going through the same thing. Just to know that they’re not all doing it alone,” she said.
The show society will host a lunch for the district’s farmers on Saturday (January 26) with guest speakers and lucky door prizes. To come along, RSVP to Raechel on 0428 810 522 by Thursday, January 24. The cost is $15 a head.
From the brand new twilight arena sorting to a child-friendly pet show, there’s something for every member of the family.
Rev heads will delight in the ute show, with a unique range of categories including loudest exhaust, furthest travelled, old farts (aged 50+) and most stickers. Run by Peter and Maria Gregory, the motor show is in its second year, after a successful debut in 2018.
“Everyone loved it,” Raechel said. Held on Saturday, entry into the competition is $10.
Twilight arena sorting will join the show for the first time this year, providing a family orientated competition with youth, mixed and open categories.
“It’s a lot of fun and a lot of people just help each other. A lot of people are learning, so everyone seems to help each other and back each other up,” Raechel said.
Organised by Raechel and her husband, the Saturday event came about due to the popularity of team penning competition throughout the region, with arena sorting requiring less cattle. The twilight timing makes for cooler weather, gentler on the animals.
The rodeo show on Friday is sure to draw a crowd, as brave riders compete for generous prizes. The rodeo is the only section of the show with an entry fee, costing $5 an adult.
“I think (that) is very reasonable for a rodeo,” Raechel said.
“The $5 is more of a donation to keep our little show going.”
She said the committee works hard to keep the event accessible for all.
“We don’t want to turn people away or have people say ‘we can’t go to the show because it’s too expensive’. We want to welcome as many people in and give them a good time and hopefully take away some of that burden, even if just for an hour.”
On Saturday along with the show jumping there will be the rings operating for hack and riding classes. For a small country show the committee is determined to offer a very full and varied program.
This year Bryony Hackett has taken over from Sharon Irwin as the chief horse steward and together they have put many long hours into compiling the horse schedule. Generally because Bundarra is the first show in the circuit competitors are keen to get out and start to accumulate points.
On Sunday the show jumping will continue along with the Australian stock horse classes, western horse classes and harness classes.
Other highlights for the weekend include the Poultry Show on Saturday, which is organised by Julie and John D’ Este and the pet show from 2pm Saturday. Thanks to Matt Devlin’s dedication, the junior paraders, junior judging and an all breeds heifer show will commence at 3pm on Friday. On Saturday at 8.30am the stud beef cattle events will be held.
The pavilion stewards have all been very busy organising their sections and entries for the pavilion will be taken from 12 noon on Friday. The wool pavilion will also be open and entries for it will be taken prior to 9am Friday.
On Saturday night there will be entertainment at the bar area.
“If you are undecided about competing or entering other sections at the show please show your support to this wonderful little show,” Sharon Irwin said.
“It is hard being the first show of the year and it continually clashes with the Tamworth Music Festival and other bigger horse events held outside of the area.”
The current committee would like to take the opportunity to honour two dedicated former members who passed away within a few weeks of each other last year. Ian Scott was the treasurer for approximately 15 years, and an honourary life member. Esme Garrad was also well known in the community, and was the show society secretary for five years.
