25 A NNIVERSAR Y SILVER iris om.a u B o o r o w a C o mmu n i t y B a n k SUNDAY, 1ST OCTOBER RUNNING OF THE SHEEP OCTOBER LONG WEEKEND
IRISH WOOLFEST
A story from days gone by...
Every town needs a focus and in the late ‘50s and ‘60s for Boorowa, this was the Gaytime Festival. Who thought that our civic fathers could have been so forward thinking with the naming. Our Gaytime festival was much simpler, girls would contest to be crowned Queen and the guys ran for the Ugly Man Contest. Whoever raised the most money was duly crowned, and this was probably determined by whom had the biggest band of helpers.
The Gaytime Festival Street Parade was a feast of color and excitement. The oldest of lorries would be transformed into the grandest of chariots using chicken mesh and an acre of crepe paper and a rainy day of course, spelt disaster. There was an armada of floats interspersed by
brass bands and the precision baton twirling of the marching girls, who also had the hearts of every country teenage boy racing. There were wheelbarrow races, bingo, cake stalls and much more including a quick introduction to vandalism where for two shillings you could take half a dozen swings with a sledgehammer at a designated car. Anything to raise money and it served its purpose as the spoils went into projects like the building of the community swimming pool and multipurpose hall at the Central School.
In 1994 a group of people banded together to form the Wool Week Committee. Again, remarkably simple. Our main aim was twofold. One was to bring people to town so that we could promote Boorowa, without the expense being passed onto the business houses and secondly to promote wool as an amazing and durable, environmentally friendly, natural fibre. It was an easy fit as we do house some of the greatest sheep studs in Australia as well as a very robust commercial flock.
Our first Wool Week Fest occurred on the 18th Sept at the Showground. Although, not having any budget we were gifted with huge resources.
It was the inauguration of the Shearing Shack by the late greats Donny Marion and Mick O`Dea, we had a world champion shearer, working sheep dogs, singers, whip crackers, all at our disposal. We loaded up the shearing shack and took it to Civic a week earlier. It was such a great display that
“From Gaytime to Woolfest: Celebrating 25 Years of the Boorowa Irish Woolfest.”
many Canberrans suggested that there was no need to travel to Boorowa the following week as they had seen enough.
Each year saw Wool Week grow a little bigger. The second year saw the incorporation of a fashion parade at the pavilion which was wall to wall with people and as well as the normal array of markets and stalls there was a Korean Choir from Sydney. How they got there is still a mystery. Things were so successful that with council approval we moved down to Marsden Street with the street procession. markets and entertainment.
In 1998 Council stepped in and I must say with great relief for the committee.
It was re-branded The Boorowa Irish Woolfest and that acknowledged our extraordinarily strong connection with Ireland.
It was commonly reported that the emancipated convict Ned Ryan sent money back to Ireland to support the passage of relatives and friends. Proved today by many Corcorans, Dwyers, Mcgraths, Corkhills, Hurleys and Ryans still residing here today. After six generations they may have lost the accents but certainly not the looks or personalities.
So, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary this coming October long Weekend, there could be nothing more splendid than driving into Boorowa this Spring
and seeing the lush green pastures set in contrast to the golden fields of Canola and our wattle trees.
It is a weekend to highlight our wonderful town to visitors from everywhere. It is a wonderful time for families to reunite and for those people that have left, to come back and rekindle old friendships.
The parade begins at Noon sharp, there is a long cavalcade of floats, again interspersed with marching bands. There is nothing grander to make your adrenaline surge than the sound of bagpipes and drums. Following, we have The Running of The Sheep, which some describe to be like “The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona”. A nice comparison but I think of it more as what I would describe as an Irish Crack. Trying to get sheep to do anything is always difficult.
As you can see the committee has savoured all the good things through the years for your enjoyment. So come and enjoy this Long Weekend, the art show, the quick shear, the parade, The Running of The Sheep, the wood chopping, the markets and great music and dancing. Just be prepared to smile, laugh and do a fair bit of foot-tapping.
See you in Boorowa!
Written
by Jack Ryan, who has been a huge part of this festival since the day it began.
Getting here
Driving to Boorowa and the Hilltops Region
Boorowa is located on the B81 Lachlan Valley Way. Boorowa is approximately 45 minutes south of Cowra, 35 minutes from Yass, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Canberra and 3 hours and 20 minutes from Sydney.
Irish Woolfest Enquiries Hilltops Destination and Economy Team
P: 1800 628 233
E: vic@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
W: irishwoolfest.com.au
/ Irish Woolfest Boorowa
Branding and Graphic Design by Minta Viski
W: mintaviski.com.au
Printed by Chambers Whyte Design & Printing
W: chamberswhyte.com.au
Photography Contributors
Camilla Duffy
Disclaimer: The Boorowa Irish Woolfest Committee reserves the right to change the program at any time without notice. Adverse conditions and unseen complications with third party suppliers can result in changes beyond our control.
Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 4
CANBERRA GOULBURN JUGIONG HARDEN YOUNG MELBOURNE BOOROWA
SYDNEY
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Fringe Events
Friday 29 September
5:00PM
ART SHOW - OFFICIAL OPENING
Cocktail Party $10 entry
Location: Old Courthouse Building Marsden St, Boorowa
7:00PM
LIVE MUSIC AT THE BOOROWA HOTEL
Big Willy, solo cover artist Location: 37 Marsden St, Boorowa
7:30PM
LIVE COMEDY SHOW AT THE OCCASIONAL WINE BAR
Sean Woodland headline act, $20 entry
Location: 9 Marsden St, Boorowa, next to pharmacy
8:00PM
LIVE MUSIC AT THE COURTHOUSE HOTEL, BOOROWA
Music until close Location: 12 Marsden St, Boorowa
Thank you to our Ewe sponsor: Squadron Energy squadronenergy.com Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 6
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mainlinedyno.com.au Phone: 02 4648 0612
Thank you to our Shamrock sponsor: Donohoe’s Estate donohoesestate.com.au Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 8
Thank you to our Shamrock sponsor: Gold Trails Reenactments facebook.com/GoldTrailsReenactments Page 9
What’s On Saturday 30 September
From 9:30AM
BOOROWA WOOLFEST BOWLS TOURNAMENT
Contact the club to enter: (02) 6385 3338 Location: Ex-Services Club 55-59 Pudman St, Boorowa
10AM TO 4PM
BOOROWA IRISH WOOLFEST ART SHOW
FROM 11AM 2023 QUICK SHEAR
COMPETITION
Featuring Ford 4 Shearing Location: Ex-Services Club 55-59 Pudman St, Boorowa
Location: Old Court House Building, Marsden St, Boorowa 11AM TO 2PM
BOOROWA MUSEUM Location: 35 Marsden St, Boorowa
FROM 5PM
LIVE MUSIC AT RAM AND STALLION HOTEL, Beer garden, pizzas served from 4pm Location: 70-74 Brial St, Boorowa
Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 10
Tilt Renewables TILTRENEWABLES.COM Ph: 1300 660 623 Thank you to our Shamrock sponsor: Page 11 FROM 5PM FOODIES AND MOVIE NIGHT AT THE RECREATION CLUB INCLUDING: - Food Markets - Jumping Castle - Face Painter - Outdoor Cinema - Fireworks Location: 36-44 Market St, Boorowa What’s On Saturday 30 September
What’s On
Sunday 1 October
7.00AM to 5.00PM
YARD DOG TRIALS
Location: Boorowa Recreation Club
8.45AM to 4.00PM
BOOROWA IRISH WOOLFEST ART SHOW
Location: Old Court House Building, Marsden St, Boorowa
9.00AM to 11.00AM
POETS’ BREAKFAST WITH ROBYN SYKES
Location: Old Court House Building, Marsden St, Boorowa
10.00AM
CANBERRA CELTIC PIPEBAND PERFORMANCE
Location: The Roundabout, Marsden and Pudman St
10.00AM
WOOD CHOPPERS - SOUTH COAST & TABLELANDS AXEMAN
Location: Ned Ryan Motel Lawn
Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 12
What’s On
Sunday 1 October
10.30AM
CHILDREN’S STORY TIME
Presented by the Boorowa Library Location: Old Court House Lawn, Marsden St, Boorowa
10.45AM and 1.00PM
MAIN ACT: LIMERICK BAND AND THE SHAMROCK DANCERS
Location: Main Stage
11.00AM
HAWKESBURY WORKING DOG DEMONSTRATION
Location: Old Court House Lawn, Marsden St, Boorowa
11.40AM
BLESSING OF THE FLEECE AND OFFICIAL OPENING
Proudly presented by M H Premium Farms
Location: Main Stage
12.00 NOON STREET PARADE AND RUNNING OF THE SHEEP
Proudly presented by Mainline
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What’s On
Sunday 1 October
1.30PM
HAWKESBURY WORKING DOG DEMONSTRATION
Location: Old Court House Lawn, Marsden St, Boorowa
1.45PM
MASSED BAND PERFORMANCE
Canobolas Highland Pipe Band and Canberra Celtic Pipe Band
Location: Front of Main Stage
2.00PM
COMPETITION TIME
Irish Accent Competition and Guiness Pie Eating Competition
Location: Front of Main Stage
2.30PM
MAIN ACT: LIMERICK BAND AND THE SHAMROCK
DANCERS
Location: Main Stage
2.45PM
HAWKESBURY WORKING DOG DEMONSTRATION
Location: Old Court House Lawn, Marsden St, Boorowa
Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 14
What’s On Sunday 1 October
ALL DAY FUN
Musical Performances presented by Gold Trail
Re-Enactments
• Main Act - Limerick
• Simon Watts – Violinist
• Canberra Celtic Pipe Band
• Canobolas Highland Pipe Band
• Lugh Damen
Childrens Entertainment presented by Boorowa
Court House Arts and Craft Co Op
• Bubble Artist
• Face Painting
Library Storytime
wool display, prepared by famous local studs
Location: Nutrien Wool
Shed, 37B Queen St, Boorowa
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What’s On Sunday 1 October
ALL DAY FUN
Irish Craic presented by SquadRon Energy
• Irish Accent Competition (Entry on the Day), from 2pm followed by Pie Eating Competition (Entry on the Day), and Shamrock Dancers
• Robyn Sykes Poetry
Location: Main Stage
Demonstration Excellence presented by 2LF and Roccy FM
• Wood Choppers - South Coast & Tablelands
Axeman
• Shearing Shack
Hawkesbury Working
Dog Demonstration
• Gold Trains
Re-Enactment
Entertainment
Boorowa
October
Weekend 2023 Page 16
Community Bank Irish Woolfest
Long
What’s On
Sunday 1 October Night
FROM 4PM
PIZZAS AT RAM AND STALLION HOTEL
Location: 70-74 Brial St, Boorowa
FROM 6.30PM
RUGBY LEAGUE GRAND FINAL ON THE BIG SCREEN
Location: Ex-Services Club 55-59 Pudman St, Boorowa
FROM 4PM
LIVE MUSIC FEATURING LOCAL ALBIE CAVANAGH
Location: The Occasional Wine Bar, free event
FROM 6PM
LIVE DJ AT THE COURTHOUSE HOTEL
Also showing Rugby League Grand Final
Location: Courthouse Hotel 12 Marsden St, Boorowa 2LF
Thank you to our Shamrock sponsors:
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6382
Ph: 02
1133 Roccy FM Ph: 02 6382 1133
Thank you to our Shamrock sponsor: Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 18 Boorowa Court House Arts and Craft Co Op OPEN 7 DAYS, 10:30AM - 3PM Ph: 02 6385 3885 Marsden St, Boorowa
Selling various and field workshop on farm 5383 Lachlan Valley Way, | Boorowa NSW boorowadevelopments@gmail.com www.boorowatractors.com.au Thank you to our Shamrock sponsor: Page 19 Boorowa Tractors SALES AND SERVICE Ph: 02 6385 3618 5383 Lachlan Valley Way, Boorowa
Sponsors Leprechaun
• Boorowa Tyre Service
• Hilltops Wine Association
• Horne Shearing
• Corcoran’s Rural
• Moorby’s Transport
• Nutrien Ag Solutions - WoolStore
• Vanity Hair
• Corkhill R B & Co
• Boorowa Central School
• Boorowa Chinese Restaurant
• Ned Ryan
Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 20
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Sponsors Shamrock
Boorowa Community Bank Irish Woolfest October Long Weekend 2023 Page 22
Ewe Ram
Sponsors
Sponsors
Pot of Gold
Thanks to all our wonderful sponsors –without them there would be no festival.
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Save the date for next year! Celebrate more events with us in 2023 Visit www.visithilltopsregion.com.au for the latest information Harden Kite Festival 7 October 2023 National Cherry Festival 1 - 3 December October Long Weekend Sunday 6 October 2024