October 29, 2019
The Farmer’s Big Day Out at Wondai Showgrounds on Saturday turned out to be just that, with an estimated 800 people having fun and forgetting about the drought for an hour or two.
The event was put together by a team which included Cr Kathy Duff and Michael Hunter, from the South Burnett Regional Council, and Andrea McGee, from RHealth.
Other helpers and sponsors included Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, the Farm Financial Counselling Service, Wooroolin Lions and Wondai AP&I Society.
There were heaps of stalls handing out useful information, including the Kingaroy QCWA with their “Country Kitchens” healthy recipes, as well as trade displays and support services.
Other activities included mechanical bull rides for children and adults, face-painting, a jumping castle and whip-cracking.
Dean Cullen, from Maidenwell, organised chainsaw ripping demonstrations while Spike Butler, from Hivesville, was offering buggy rides.
After Pastor Glen Vonhoff, from Murgon, said prayers for rain, Bruce Webb and Des McCallum, from Nanango, shared some comic bush poetry to lighten the mood.
To encourage farmers to visit the stalls, there was a competition which meant they had to get a passport stamped at six locations.
They then went into a draw to win a firefighter pump, donated by Burnett Water Services; a swag, donated by AgForce; and a silver necklace, donated by Cr Duff.
There were also $1500 worth of other giveaways throughout the day, thanks to generous sponsors.
The Farmer’s Big Day Out also served as a “big thank you” as it coincided with the end of the stay by Rural Aid volunteers at Wondai Showgrounds.
These 35 volunteers, from across Australia, spent a week in the Wondai area, working on six local farms and helping out at the showgrounds.
On Wednesday, they distributed 30 x $500 “Rural Aid” Country Cards to local farmers who had registered with the organisation.
Farm & Community Rescue program manager Julia Hahn urged farmers who had not yet registered with them to do so on www.ruralaid.org.au
Finishing the Farmer’s Big Day Out was an evening concert with singer/songwriter Brendon Walmsley and his brother Jared.
- Related article: Wondai Welcomes Rural Volunteers
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