March 2021

Irish Night, Hermidale Gymkhana, and more ...

Good morning all,

Last week was a ‘no show’ for various reasons my end. However it prompted me to seek advice from friends and the result is that I’ll revise my weekly chatter back to each fortnight at least till things start happening again our here in our great outback.

You see there is little more to report on since my last little spreel  except to say, PLEASE be very careful on our unsealed roads and tracks. It’s raining beautifully here at present so all unsealed roads will be out for a day or two.

A quick rehash of our activities ahead shows first up being the Irish Night next Sunday at the Civic Centre in the Hill, (must book!). Then we have Easter upon us. You have the choice of the Packsaddle Gymkhana and all that goes with it all weekend. The Back O Bourke Festival, including the Bourke Picnic races. The Hermidale Gymkhana which I guarantee will be fantastic as always. And by then the roads may be dry enough to call in on Kim at Dunlop Station, right on the Darling river and enjoy an old shearing shed and buildings and a morning tea s to die for!

Once you get over all that we have the Anzac Day weekend upon us. Gymkhana and Rodeo up at White Cliffs, big weekend, and don’t worry about accommodation, duck out to “Glen Hope” Farmstay and let the Taylors look after you. Of course all our little towns will welcome you to join us on Anzac day and be part of our communities.

You will get a host of information if you tune in to our faithful radio stations: ABC is 657 Dubbo, 999 Broken Hill and transmitting through 1584 Wilcannia. Outback radio 2WEB Bourke on 585. And Wilcannia River radio on FM 103.1.

St. Pat’s races, Easter weekend, White Cliffs Gymkhana and more

 Good morning all,

What a season we have in front of us. Events that we looked forward to are all happening again, venues nearly all open again and new friends to meet.

I’m going to have to call on you all to let me know what’s happening in your neck of the woods. It’s really good to be back yarning on to you again and hopefully being of assistance in guiding you all throughout our fantastic outback.

3 main events on the horizon at the moment, is St. Pat’s races in Broken Hill next Saturday. Catch there is you have to book your ticket PRIOR. Andrew assures me you won’t get in if you don’t. Give it a crack ah? On line maybe. Number 2 is the Easter weekend up at the Packsaddle community. They have a Gymkhana and a host of other things happening over Easter. In fact you could spend days up there with the Roadhouse crew and enjoy it all.

Next is the big weekend up at White Cliffs on Anzac weekend, gymkhana and camp draft and 50 other things happening at White Cliffs over the Saturday and Anzac day. And of course they stop proceedings and hold their Anzac march and service. Then in the middle of that there’s a full weekend at the Solar Power Station for you to see. Why not duck out to “Glen Hope” farm stay for the night and let Rick entertain you, out on a property, only a few k’s out, totally relaxing.

Now speaking of Anzac services, as you’d well imagine you are all very welcome to join any of our towns for our Anzac service. Here in Wilcannia we will have a dawn service, a breakfast and then the 11 0’clock main service followed by a cuppa and a bite to eat. So please join in wherever you find yourself. Also, if you are of Irish decent or enjoy a good night of music then come along to the Broken Hill Civic centre for an Irish Night on the 28th. (may have to book there too.)

You know, it would be silly of me to miss the opportunity to wrap up our little town here. We’d love to see you stop off for a few days. 2 Caravan parks, Warrawong on the Darling and Victory Park, heaps of self contained units and camp sites. 2 Motels, Liberty and the Wilcannia Motel, and it’s pet friendly too. And what’s more De. has a pop up book shop there for you to exchange, drop, pick up, whatever. We have a great Golf club and Chinese restaurant, and a bus to take you home! A Coffee trailer to sit back and enjoy a yarn. And guess what? Miss Barrett’s is about to open again with Lana at the helm.  History for miles, interesting buildings and actually, a very interesting cemetery that dates back to the 1860’s. Check out Wilcannia Tourism website for more details. Enough on us, but stop and say hi.