Eulah Creek community hospitality on show as camp oven cooking, machinery day returns | PHOTOS

The return of festivities at Eulah Creek has been declared a success following a weekend of family fun at the Beulah Park Community Hall.

Saturday saw the successful return of the Santos-sponsored camp oven cook-off, with the village basked in sunshine throughout the day.

An array of activities was on offer in addition to the cooking of delicious food, which fed hungry cook-off-goers on Saturday evening.

Children were awarded ribbons in the afternoon’s competitions.

The evening saw the judging of the camp oven cook-off, with Darrell Tiemens, Rod Onus and Dylan Smith deliberating over the awarding of prizes.

The quality of the dishes made determining prize winners in the open, junior and dessert categories difficult for the three judges.

Rob Davies was awarded first prize in the open category with his delicious beef osso bucco.

Second prize went to Cindy Orman for her creamy chicken, and Cathy Evans took out third place with her tender stew.

Prizes were awarded to winners in Saturday’s Santos-sponsored camp oven cook-off. Back, Rob Davies and Laila Reid, Cathy Evans, Cady Davies, Jessie Simpson, judges Darrell Tiemens, Rod Onus and Dylan Smith, front, Dean Morphew and Cindy Orman. Prizes were awarded to winners in Saturday’s Santos-sponsored camp oven cook-off. Back, Rob Davies and Laila Reid, Cathy Evans, Cady Davies, Jessie Simpson, judges Darrell Tiemens, Rod Onus and Dylan Smith, front, Dean Morphew and Cindy Orman.

Bob Middleton, Peter Bruce and Boyce Alexander. Bob Middleton, Peter Bruce and Boyce Alexander.

Caitlin and Cathy Evans with Caitlin’s curry which was among the dishes on offer at the cook-off. Caitlin and Cathy Evans with Caitlin’s curry which was among the dishes on offer at the cook-off.

Michael, Henry, Walter and Ash Eveleigh enjoyed a day of family fun at Eulah Creek on Sunday. Michael, Henry, Walter and Ash Eveleigh enjoyed a day of family fun at Eulah Creek on Sunday.

Lachlan, Matt, Stacey and Hugh Norrie. Lachlan, Matt, Stacey and Hugh Norrie.

Back, Rebecca Humphries, Ronald Gold, front, Madison Bron, Ava Gold and Chelsea Bron. Back, Rebecca Humphries, Ronald Gold, front, Madison Bron, Ava Gold and Chelsea Bron.

Enjoying the return of activities at the Beulah Park Community Hall at Eulah Creek were Elliott and Hamish Sharp, Ruben Guest and Milo Tapscott. Saturday saw the return of the camp oven cook-off while the vintage machinery day staged a triumphant comeback on Sunday. Enjoying the return of activities at the Beulah Park Community Hall at Eulah Creek were Elliott and Hamish Sharp, Ruben Guest and Milo Tapscott. Saturday saw the return of the camp oven cook-off while the vintage machinery day staged a triumphant comeback on Sunday.

Steve Benham, Owen Jones and Doug Woods. Steve Benham, Owen Jones and Doug Woods.

Cathy Evans and Mandy Simpson were ready to serve up food to hungry event-goers on Sunday. Cathy Evans and Mandy Simpson were ready to serve up food to hungry event-goers on Sunday.

Ian Orman and Jim Purcell at work on the Beulah Park Community Hall barbecue. Ian Orman and Jim Purcell at work on the Beulah Park Community Hall barbecue.

Enjoying the machinery display were, back, Matthew McKay, Charlene Brindle, Rick Smith, front, Penny McLean, Caitlin McKay and Gwen Smith. Enjoying the machinery display were, back, Matthew McKay, Charlene Brindle, Rick Smith, front, Penny McLean, Caitlin McKay and Gwen Smith.

Wendy Somervalle and Jenny Finlay with vintage items for sale at Sunday’s festivities. Wendy Somervalle and Jenny Finlay with vintage items for sale at Sunday’s festivities.

Gillian and Robert Kahl with Harvey and Claire Black. Gillian and Robert Kahl with Harvey and Claire Black.

Back, Dan and Sarah Gilmore, front, Tyler Aldridge, Coen Harris, Hunter and Logan Gilmore and Oliver Kelly enjoyed looking at the vintage car display. Back, Dan and Sarah Gilmore, front, Tyler Aldridge, Coen Harris, Hunter and Logan Gilmore and Oliver Kelly enjoyed looking at the vintage car display.

Back, Kyle, Amy, front, Tyler and Hayley Aldridge admired the vintage vehicles on display. Back, Kyle, Amy, front, Tyler and Hayley Aldridge admired the vintage vehicles on display.

Eddie Greening and Geoff Phelps pictured with Eddie’s 1927 Lister engine. Eddie Greening and Geoff Phelps pictured with Eddie’s 1927 Lister engine.

Marylou and Caitlen Lane at Sunday’s vintage machinery day. Marylou and Caitlen Lane at Sunday’s vintage machinery day.

Renee Chard was one of the winners in Saturday night’s billy boiling competition. An array of activities was on offer at Saturday’s camp oven cook-off. Renee Chard was one of the winners in Saturday night’s billy boiling competition. An array of activities was on offer at Saturday’s camp oven cook-off.

Bronson and Nakita Brodbeck and Alice Promnitz. Bronson and Nakita Brodbeck and Alice Promnitz.

Ribbon winners in Saturday afternoon’s activities were Bruce Heat, Chelsea and Tyler Bron, Leighton Reid and Madison Bron. Ribbon winners in Saturday afternoon’s activities were Bruce Heat, Chelsea and Tyler Bron, Leighton Reid and Madison Bron.

Emily and Jessie Simpson taking part in Saturday’s camp oven cook-off. Emily and Jessie Simpson taking part in Saturday’s camp oven cook-off.

Rob Davies adds vegetables to his chuck steak stew at Saturday’s camp oven cook-off. Rob Davies adds vegetables to his chuck steak stew at Saturday’s camp oven cook-off.

Amelia Lennox, Maicee Astill, Grace and Eliza Lennox, front, Freya Astill and Bronte Lennox. Amelia Lennox, Maicee Astill, Grace and Eliza Lennox, front, Freya Astill and Bronte Lennox.

Matt and Harper Anderson with Matt’s 1972 Chrysler Valiant Charger. Matt and Harper Anderson with Matt’s 1972 Chrysler Valiant Charger.

James, Therese and Rob Davies keep a watchful eye on Cady Davies’ chilli con carne. James, Therese and Rob Davies keep a watchful eye on Cady Davies’ chilli con carne.

Ann and Graham Anderson pictured with their 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Newport which was among the vehicles on display as part of the Namoi Valley Antique Vehicle Club. Ann and Graham Anderson pictured with their 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Newport which was among the vehicles on display as part of the Namoi Valley Antique Vehicle Club.

Keith Stanford was among the exhibitors at the vintage machinery day. Keith Stanford was among the exhibitors at the vintage machinery day.

Hunter, Jocelyn and Ava Smith. Hunter, Jocelyn and Ava Smith.

Narrabri and District Historical Society displayed items and publications at Sunday’s vintage machinery display. Pictured, Max Pringle OAM, Gillian Kahl, Garry Burr and Sue Gleeson. Narrabri and District Historical Society displayed items and publications at Sunday’s vintage machinery display. Pictured, Max Pringle OAM, Gillian Kahl, Garry Burr and Sue Gleeson.

Claire Black and Julie Newell enjoyed the festivities at Sunday’s vintage machinery day. Claire Black and Julie Newell enjoyed the festivities at Sunday’s vintage machinery day.

Laila, Dale and Leighton Reid with their beef curry entered into the camp oven cook-off. Laila, Dale and Leighton Reid with their beef curry entered into the camp oven cook-off.

In the junior category, Cady Davies served up some spice with her chilli con carne and claimed first prize.

Second prize was awarded to Dean Morphew for his flavoursome wings, and third prize went to Laila Reid for her perfectly cooked camp oven bread.

Three delicious dessert dishes were served up in the competition. However, it was Jessie Simpson’s decadent chocolate brownie that wowed the judges.

To complement the camp oven dishes, hard-working Beulah Park Community Hall volunteers cooked up additional dishes to feed the strong crowd of people at Saturday’s festivities.

The action continued after dinner and dessert, with billy boiling competitions held in the evening.

On Sunday, the glorious weather continued for the vintage machinery day which was particularly popular for families.

Beluah Park Hall Committee president Dave Morris has expressed the organisation’s thanks to the community in ensuring the successful return of the village festivities.

The committee sought donations and sponsorship towards the weekend, with companies and organisations rallying around the event.

Mr Morris praised the exhibitors and volunteers for their efforts and thanked Saturday night’s cook-off judges.

“We have a very supportive community,” he said.

“We are grateful to the visitors who came out on Saturday and Sunday to support the weekend.”

This year was the first time the two events have been staged at the weekend. The cook-off, an idea initially started by Cameron Staines, was previously held separately to the machinery day.

Feedback from the weekend was positive, and Mr Morris said organisers could consider continuing to stage the two events together in the future.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm around the cook-off and the billy boiling competition,” he said.

“There was a big range of foods at the cook-off this year. There were lots of comments from the exhibitors.”

Looking ahead to future works at the hall, Mr Morris said there was a need for an outside toilet and shower block as well as an upgrade of the effluent system.

Such a project will require extensive funds, and the committee will look to secure grant funding for such a project.

Tennis court resurfacing and lighting, as well as solar power, is also on the works agenda.