Over 160 outback workers and the legendary “big mob drovers” and their families from all over Australia gathered at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Longreach, from 30th April until the 3rd of May for 20th Anniversary celebrations of the annual Drovers Reunion. As the dust settled an action packed weekend began with stockman’s games, camp oven tucker, Town vs. Country Polocrosse Tournament, the crowning of ‘Champion Ringer’ and ‘Bush Athlete’, the inaugural Battle of the Greenhide – Drovers and Drovers Cook Ironman & Woman Competition just to name a few..
The Outback Games were hotly contested by all. Billy boiling, damper making, sticky wicket cricket, driving the nail, rolling pin throwing and throwing the boot at the dog were just some of the events undertaken over the course of the weekend. Ray Chicken from Toowoomba took out the Champion Bush Athlete, and Mick Gallagher took out the Champion Ringer.
Azzie Fazulla, who has attended all 20 Drovers Reunions said, “It has been fantastic, I’ll keep coming back each year to see my mates, even though there’ll be a few missing.” Six of the original drovers have returned every year along with Azzie, who were Jim and Shirley Nolan, Bub Ploger, Jack Goldsmith and Clancy Matthews. It is an enormous effort from them to travel from far and wide to Longreach and it is wonderful to share these stories with the next generation to maintain its heritage.
Ben Maguire, CEO of the Hall said “it is a real privilege to play to host to these great Australians. Having all that history visit the Hall each year is wonderful and we look forward to seeing the reunion continue to keep the traditions alive”
It was great to see Polocrosse return to the grounds of the Hall of Fame since the first Drovers Reunion in 1990. The Town Vs. Country match was extremely competitive with only 1 point deciding the winner only moments before the final whistle with Country coming out on top. Town competitor Brecken Curtis then went on to win the ‘Battle of the Greenhide’ Smith Bros Drovers Ironman Challenge, with Marie Rayment taking out the Ilfracombe Produce Drovers Cook Ironwoman.
As they came in droves from as south as Victoria and as north as the Cape, the weekend was thoroughly enjoyed by all and planning is underway for the 21st Annual Drovers Reunion.
