Boggabri’s Drovers Campfire another successful weekend

The much-anticipated Boggabri Lions Club Drovers Campfire commenced on Anzac Day with many of the visitors attending the Baan Baa dawn service and the Boggabri march and service prior to settling into an action-packed weekend.

The official opening was held Friday evening, however, prior to that the Kurrumbede bus tour and the Yabbie races had attendees engaged.

First time yabby races conducted by Rick Cunningham attracted a lot of attention from young and old.

The winner on the day after five heats was eight-year-old Logan Matthews and his yabby Number 8.

Logan chose his yabby according to his age and said that he thought he would win.

The Narrabri Shire mayor, Cr Darrell Tiemens opened the campfire saying welcome to the centre of the universe and went on to praise the Drovers Campfire committee and their volunteers for organising and hosting the event that attracts visitors from all over Australia.

Charmaine Berding spoke on behalf of the committee thanking everyone for attending and saying, “I am the very proud granddaughter of our founder Geoff Eather, and for more of my life than not, April has revolved around the Drovers Campfire and we have him to blame, I mean thank for that.”

“It’s very rare that four generations can work harmoniously together but here we are doing it and enjoying it.”

Mrs Berding went on to say that while they were a little down on vans this year compared to the last couple of years, they still had 171 vans
registered.

The major sponsor was Boggabri Coal, represented by Susie Pym and Alex Williams, and generous donations and support from the Narrabri Shire Council, represented by Cr Tiemens and Whitehaven Coal, represented by Darren Swain.

Mrs Berding continued, “Ninety-five per cent of the people you will see here are volunteers.

“From the individuals to the community groups, they give up their precious time to help us out to make this a successful weekend, so thank you to all of you.

“I know they say not to mention names when thanking people but I’m going to give you some names, and I want you to remember them.

“Geoff and Elaine Eather, Ron Boxsell, Rodger Hollingsworth, Phil Haire, Jenny Smith, Jo and Richard Gillham, Ellen McClung, Luke and Ruby Smith, Megan Guest and Jackie Montgomery.

“These are the people that put in months and months, hours and hours of their time, for Drovers, they take annual leave to be here for the week, they organise babysitting and do the baby sitting, they have grandparents come from around the country to help with kids, without them Drovers Campfire simply would not happen.”

“To you guys the campers, you are the reason we keep turning up.

“About two weeks ago I was feeling very over it for want of a better word, I thought why do we keep doing this, then on Monday night sitting at the dinner table with my family we were saying what the best part of our day was, and mine was seeing you, the campers, coming in, the smiles on your faces as you arrived, the hugs we receive as familiar faces drove in the gate, and I was reminded this is why we do it, so thank you.”

“An event like this doesn’t just happen, it takes months of planning and organising, in fact planning for 2026 Drovers is already well and truly underway.

Next year is our 20th anniversary, please make sure you rebook for next year with the girls in the information centre.”

The ‘Longhorn Tour’ was another cracker of a day according to host Geoff Dawson.

Two buses arrived at 9.30 am and he gave them a talk on their longhorns and then headed up to the house where a yummy morning tea made by the family and the mums from the Boggabri Joeys Playgroup.

Geoff said: “One thing I can guarantee everyone that attends goes home satisfied with their morning feast.

“What a fantastic group of visitors we had.

“Not only did they get to meet the Longhorns and the Angus and Brahman cattle, but they also got to meet our whole family, including five very special grandkids and our terrific neighbours Hannah and Laura, who came to help out.

“Every cent that is received goes directly to the Boggabri Joeys Playgroup.

“The Dawson family enjoy doing this fundraiser for such an appreciative group.”

Ethan Many once again cooked a variety of dampers in very hot conditions for an appreciative audience.

He said last year wasn’t too bad but this year the heat of the day as well as the heat of the fire has been horrible.

There was a large variety of food available catering for all tastes and budgets, however, the camp oven cooked and served meals for 200 people by the Boggabri Rugby League Club drew comments such as, the best meal I have ever had and who would have thought they could cook for so many on camp ovens.

The markets provided a variety of goodies for people to purchase, with one fellow coming back after tasting the bottle of relish from the Willala CWA saying, I can I have another one of these, “bloody beautiful”.

Bus tours to the Boggabri Coal, Fishing club tour, cotton gin tour, fish farm and Sawn Rocks were well patronised.

The Gunnedah Conservatorium of music, Jonah James Music and Drew Blundell, Dave and Stuart, Gunnedah Uke-Alypts, Sam Snape, Rex Baldwin, Caitlin Matthews, provided a large variety genre of music during the weekend.

The Backtrack team and their ‘Paws up Dog Jump’ created a lot of interest and cheering as the dogs went through their jumps, achieving amazing heights and showcasing the skills of the handlers.
A new feature was an art and craft display.

This showcased many local talents as well as the displays from the two schools and a colouring in competition for children.

The billy boiling competition never disappoints and this year was no different.

Loud cheering and mentoring from the sidelines added to the atmosphere.

Open winner – Ruby Smith 6.05 minutes (Drovers Campfire Jacket), second – Sam Snape 6.10 minutes, (tomahawk Axe), third – Lacey Riley 6.12 minutes (Drovers Campfire merchandise pack).

Men’s winner Sam Snape, women’s winner Ruby Smith, Kids winners – Annie Stone, Ollie Snape, Lachie Stone, Henry Stone, runners up – Hunter Berding and Leo Woodford.

Adele O’Connell won a helicopter ride and said: “fear and trepidation at the thought but a great experience.”

Her best friend, Pat Adams has always had a helicopter ride on her bucket list was lucky enough to be offered to go with Adele so she was chuffed that she could cross it off her list simply by being a good and long-term friend.

Daniel Wicks entertained the crowd with his skill as a whip cracker.

Daniel is the 18 times Australian Champion and three times World champion.

It was the crowd’s turn to show their skills with $600 prizemoney up for grabs courtesy of Whitehaven Coal.

On Sunday evening a fellow known only by Paul, pulled into the showground to see what was going on.

He had ridden his push bike from Tasmania and is on his way around Australia.

The final event, ‘trivia’ was conducted by the Boggabri P & C attracting 110 participants was not only brain taxing but a load of fun and laughter.

An added highlight to the trivia, Paul the push biker joined five Boggabri locals and they won the trivia night.

On Monday morning, a convoy of tired but happy caravanners, motorhome owners, travellers and day visitors from all over Australia are packing up and pulling out from the very successful 2025 Drovers Campfire.