20/09/2016
NUKARNI COUNTRY MUSTER
On Saturday night 3rd Sept we were privileged to attend the Nukarni Country Muster at Dale Farms. Our hosts were Tom and Olga Kittyea, who have worked tirelessly over the past 13 years to make this wonderful event happen.
We saw the advertisement in the local paper, The Phoenix, and considering that Country Music is our preferred genre, we are going!!!!!
The weekend before the “do” we thought a recce would be a good idea, considering we are unfamiliar with the area, so packing some lunch and the “wolfhound” we set off for Burra and down the North West Burra Road to Nukarni. It seemed like only a few minutes and we had arrived at our destination; not long enough to get a good look at the fabulous crops on the way.
We pulled up at the house, and were welcomed with a “hello” from somewhere out back. Sucked in by the Cocky, we looked further and found our hosts. They so kindly showed us where the venue was, the camping ground, a tour around the Chaff shed, and some history of the Farms. Awesome!!!
So Saturday, was our Yilgarn Agriculture Show and the Berocca was out. We had to pack the camper, pack some food and nibbles, put some warm clothes in our bags and go to work before the day really began. At 11am I was down the street watching the Street Parade, and our truck, full of Occasional Day Care kiddies sail past with a Spring Theme. They looked beautiful.
Then it was up to the Show Grounds, have some morning tea, look at the Exhibits, the outside exhibits, the Petting Farm (cant go past that) try and find some lunch (lines too long) then back home to put the cold stuff in the fridge and off to Nukarni.
At the Muster, we unloaded, set up, and found I had forgotten my chair. Hmm – milk crate is good, so over to our new friends in a nearby van for a sundowner and soon we can hear music in the distance.
The entertainment was great – not John Williamson, but just as entertaining. Jeanette Hatfield got up for a song, and I can say it was better than Rita McNeills rendition. I could hear every word she sang.
There were a few technical fizzes, but these guys and gals were all professionals and took it in their stride. The audience were very forgiving and enthusiastic, with cheers of “more, more” on more than one occasion.
Supper was an array of cakes I have not seen in years. The ladies must have spent days cooking up a storm, and I can tell you it was well appreciated.
All the proceeds of the night were given to the RFDS, and I am sorry, but I didn’t get the amount that was raised by the entrance fee (gold coin donation), a Raffle and an Auction.
We had walked over from our camper without a light, and the remark was that he would walk back and get one, but didn’t need to, as we won a hand held light in the Raffle. Bonus!!!!
One thing I did notice on the night, was the amount of knee and hip problems. One in two people trying to climb the short steps, had trouble trying to get up, including me! What is happening to us all? Getting older and more decrepit, I think.
Thank you to Olga, Tom and family for your wonderful hospitality – breakfast cooked on Sunday morning – you were great. Good luck with the hay and chaff production this year.
Kaye and Russell Crafter
