March 26, 2013
Organisers of the 2013 Kumbia Charity Campdraft are expecting a good roll-up over the Easter weekend even though this year’s event has had to be pruned back because of the Australia Day floods.
This year’s Charity Campdraft will be held at the Kumbia Sportsground over two days instead of the usual three: Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31.
Campdraft secretary Leanne Petersen said the main reason for the cut-back was the difficulty the committee had sourcing cattle.
“We usually get cattle for the campdraft from the Burrandowan area,” she said. “But because of damage to the roads caused by the floods, most the cattle would have to come the long way round. That’s too expensive for us, and that’s had an effect on the how many days we can run.”
Even so, she thinks campdrafters and spectators will still have a great time.
“Campdrafting events will get underway at 6:00am on both days but the Pony Club will be opening up the canteen from 5:30am and offering really great country breakfasts to get each day off to a good start,” she said.
“On Saturday night we’ll also be offering a $15 dinner and dessert, followed by live entertainment from Tom Curtain. And our bar is licensed until midnight.
“There’ll be free camping in the sportsgrounds all weekend, too, for anyone who wants to stay over.”
This year’s Charity Campdraft has had 216 nominations so far and more are expected to roll in over the next couple of days.
Leanne said it was down on last year’s record of 1050 nominations.
“But considering how badly a lot of people have been knocked about by the floods it’s still a great response,” she said.
The Charity Campdraft raises funds for other not-for-profit Kumbia groups such as the Kumbia Kindy and the Kumbia Hall Association.
It also contributes to the upkeep of the Kumbia Sportsgrounds.
This year the Campdraft committee is also engaging the new South Burnett St John Ambulance branch to provide first aid services on the grounds.
