A beloved fixture on the north-west calendar is gearing up for its 28th year, with the Eulah Creek Vintage Machinery Day and Cast Iron Chef Weekend set to draw crowds to Beulah Park Hall once again.
Marsella Morris, secretary of the Eulah Creek Hall committee, said the event had grown considerably from its humble beginnings, when a handful of local blokes simply gathered at a property to show off their old machinery.
“It wasn’t at the hall originally. It was just a few guys that had some old bits and pieces of machinery,” said Ms Morris. “They just had a little meeting and brought along their engines and things. And then it grew too big for the space they were at.”
The event eventually found its home at Beulah Park Hall, where it has been held for around 25 years. For Ms Morris, the connection runs deep. She grew up in the area and has lived nearby for 23 years.
“We used to joke that we were the original Saddle Club, you know, pick all the girls up and then we’d ride up to the hall,” she said. “I’m very passionate about the hall.”
This year’s program is packed. The Cast Iron Chef cook-off kicks off on Saturday, with competitors firing up their camp ovens anytime during the day and serving up their creations at 6:30 pm. Dinner tickets are $20 per person, with cooks eating for free. Prizes and medals are up for grabs across open and junior cast iron chef, cast iron dessert chef, and open and junior billy boiling champ categories, with donated prizes coordinated by Ian and Fiona Orman.
“There’s some fantastic campfire cooks,” said Ms Morris. “It’s usually a good fun night.”
This year also brings a mechanical bull to the Saturday program, alongside kids’ games including the ever-popular gumboot throw, sack race and egg and spoon.
Sunday’s machinery day runs from 9 am to 4 pm and is shaping up as one of the best in recent years. The Namoi Valley Antique Vehicle Club is joining the event as part of its annual rally, bringing extra vintage cars from around the district. A motorbike display with a people’s choice award is also on the program, along with vintage tractors and a local train club setting up a model railway display inside the hall.
Among the highlights will be a sheepdog demonstration by Craig Irvine, complete with his own animals and panels, as well as a sheep shearing display and a visit from Jessie Simpson’s highland cows.
“Even just the sheep shearing, everyone’s fascinated with that,” said Ms Morris. “Craig Irvine’s pretty clever with his dog.”
A dedicated kids’ corner has been set up in the old tennis courts, with a jumping castle and handmade games put together by Ian and Sue Blair. There will even be a Kids Bike Parade with prizes for the best decorated bikes.
Devonshire teas and scones will be served inside the hall, alongside a barbecue lunch and market stalls.
Around 300 people are expected to pass through the gates across the day. Entry to the machinery day is $5 for adults, with children under 15 free. Both events are cash only, with Ms Morris noting that mobile coverage in the area is unreliable.
“We just advise people to bring cash because our mobile service is not very reliable,” she said. “We’re in a bit of a black spot.”
Camping is available at the hall for those wanting to make a full weekend of it.
The committee is always looking for extra hands, and Ms Morris said anyone keen to help does not need to make any formal commitment.
“You don’t have to sign your life away,” she said. “Everybody’s welcome to just turn up.”
Those interested in volunteering can reach out via the hall’s Facebook page or contact the committee directly. A final organising meeting is planned for two weeks before the event.
For Ms Morris, the weekend is ultimately about something bigger than the machinery or the cooking.
“It’s lovely to see everybody mingling and catching up with everybody,” she said. “That’s what it’s designed for – just to create a space for people to catch up. And I think that’s so important these days with our busy lives … keeping everyone connected.”
More information is available at eulahcreekhall.com.au or via the Halls’ Facebook page.
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.