IN BEDOURIE the wait for rain can often seem longer than a month of Sundays, so what better way to break up the stress and monotony than by celebrating the Queensland region’s own take on hump day?
The town, about 500km south of Mount Isa, will host the Bedourie Camel Races on July 8.
The event pays tribute to the animal’s significance to the area and Australian history: camels were used as pack animals by Australian explorers in the late 1800s. Camel racing itself is an outback tradition that dates back to the early 1900s, when outback picnic days regularly featured the events.
Bedourie Golf and Leisure Club president Trevor Stewart said the idea of reviving the races originated in nearby Boulia 19 years ago and Bedourie decided to follow suit two years later.
He said the race meeting had since grown from an event that attracted about 100 people in its first year to one that attracted more than 1500 last year.
“It’s a really family-friendly day and gives mums and dads a real chance to let their hair down,” he said.
The races will comprise four heats as well as a cup final, plate final and consolation final.
On the biped side of things, there will also be foot races ranging from
a race for six-year-olds to adults and even an “old farts” race. Plus there will be golf putting and chipping competitions, camp oven damper making cook-offs for adults and children, and woodchopping.
There will be plenty of live entertainment, including country performer Ray Ryder and comedic whip cracking duo The Crack Up Sisters – there’ll even be pig races!
Trevor said the event had become as important to the economy and morale of the town, as it was fun for the locals as well.
“It really boosts the economy of our town and last year it really put us back on track after the drought,” he said.
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