A huge crowd descended on the famous Brunette Downs station in the Northern Territory for the magnificent spectacle that was the ABC Amateur Race Club’s 100th year anniversary. Over 3,000 people from all walks of life dropped in to see what four days of fun filled activities, socialising and an excellent display of grass fed horse racing.
Some of the best camp drafters from northern Australia were on display as well as bull and bronc riders and the crowd had a great time watching the novelty events such as calf scruffing and very challenging Battle of the Barkly. The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame was very proud to sponsor the Bronco Branding and special congratulations must go to Shirley McNamara who took out the overall best competitor winning a Stockman’s Hall of Fame double swag. Graeme Acton, vice-chairman of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame commented how important events of this stature are in terms of maintaining the bush spirit and providing an excellent opportunity for people of the bush to catch up with their old mates.
It was fantastic to see so many people reuniting with their old mates and many tourists popping in to see the races for the first time. Lyn Barnes had a great art display showing for the whole week, depicting various facets of the Brunette Downs Races and was very popular with the crowd.
The weekend culminated with an excellent dinner on Saturday night thanking the various people that put the event together and reaffirming the importance that such events have in rural communities.
Special congratulations must go to the ABC Race Club committee for staging such a wonderful event and Linda Blackwood for working tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame was honoured to be involved with the event and is extremely grateful to Pilatus Australia for transporting the team to Brunette Downs station.
If you would like more information on the event, please contact Ranald Schulz on 0421 907 786 or email
ranald.schulz@stockmanshalloffame.com.au .
