The committee is putting together a full program of authentic heritage events, a Furphy Festival, camp oven dinner under the stars with entertainment by country band, The Bushwackers, and three-day glamping packages.
Visitors will be able to see horse, bullock, camel, donkey, mules and goats in harness, an Australian Light Horse display, camel races, blade shearing, butter churning, working dogs, blacksmith, log snigging, rope turning, sheaf tossing, old fashioned children’s games, bush poetry, scone making, billy boiling, market stalls and the grand parade.
Master horsemen Bruce Bandy, Barellan, Steve Johnson, Lake Cargelligo, and Aleks Berzins, Exeter, will drive a team of more than 20 heavy horses pulling a wool wagon around the arena.
They will be joined by cameleers Rod Sansom, Salt Ash, NSW, with his camel team, bullockies Ron McKinnon, and Darcy Quinn, Nowra, NSW, and Philip Thomson, Numinbah Valley, and their teams, a donkey team driven by Emily Parrott, Anna Bay, NSW, a mule team driven by Noel Wiltshire, and Barellan farmer David Irvin with his vintage tractor pulling a Furphy water cart train.
A highlight this year will be the Perpetual Teamsters Trophy presented by Tim Peel, Borambola, NSW, and being a model of a Bennett wagon crafted by Allan Langfield, Wagga Wagga. The trophy is awarded on a rotational basis to a different species of draught animal each year and acknowledges their contribution to the building of the nation.
Last year the bullock teams competed with Ron McKinnon named as the winner whilst this year it will be the camel teams in the spotlight.
The inaugural Little Teamsters trophy was won by third generation teamster, Abby Parrot, Anna Bay, NSW, with her pair of goats pulling a miniature wagon.
This year the donkey teams will compete for the Little Teamsters Trophy, judged and presented on Sunday, October 6.
The popular additions to the program will be back – Meet the Teamster with bullocky Ron McKinnon and cameleer Rod Samson, and an obstacle course for heavy horses and their handlers, the Norma Zingel Memorial Trophy for the champion draught animals in a single furrow plough and the Billy Boiling Championships.
New this year will be a working beehive display, safely behind glass, and a laundry collection from the early 20th century including washboards, concrete wash tubs, coppers, detergent, wooden pegs, old irons and a genuine mini Hills clothes hoist. Visitors will also be transported back in time with “Grandma’s kitchen” comprising a leadlight dresser, Laminex table and chairs, lino, crockery, cutlery and kitchen appliances of the 1920s and 1950s.
Barellan Working Clydesdales Committee secretary Fiona Kibble said the festival volunteers were excited to be planning for an event which will see the most experienced teamsters in the country assemble at Barellan to showcase horses, camels, donkeys, mules, and goats hauling wagons, binders, headers, ploughs, carts, buggies, sleds, sulkies and a mallee roller.
“We are working hard to increase the visitor experience with an enhanced program plus the standing favourites to underpin what is the Narrandera Shire’s biggest tourism event,” Ms Kibble said.
“Last year we had 6000 visitors and over 400 caravanners and campers, with ticket bookings flowing in since Easter from repeat and new visitors.
“This year we look forward to welcoming visitors from all corners of the country in what is a huge economic injection for our small town and regional economy.”
The major sponsors for 2024 include the NSW Government, AGnVET, and QPL Rural-McGrath Riverina.
Bookings are now open for gate entry, camping, glamping and camp oven tickets via the website www.barellanclydesdales.com.au
The Good Old Days Festival is supported proudly by the NSW Government through Destination NSW’s Regional Flagship Events Program.
Ends
Caption: The Good Old Days Festival will return in 2024 with donkeys competing for the coveted Little Teamsters Trophy at the nation’s biggest gathering of draught animals on October 5-6 at Barellan, NSW.
NFP: For media comment contact Fiona Kibble on 0447 736 856
