The power of Outback events to lift spirits in communities ‘doing it tough’ was never better demonstrated tan in the remote Queensland town of Thargomindah over the weekend.
Just a couple of months ago, almost every building here was under water as heavy flooding swept through the area.
Blue flood markers pasted around the town show just how high the water got, and aerial photos show the extend of the devastation.
While the road to full recovery will still be a long and difficult one, this year’s Shearers Shindig – which brought in shearers and travellers from far and wide – offered a much-needed community morale boost … and an economic lift.
Flashback! Thargomindah was inundated by floodwaters. PIC: Bulloo Shire Council
About 80 shearers travelled from across Australia and New Zealand to Thargomindah, nearly 1,000 kilometres west of Brisbane, to compete in a series of competitions. And the event also featured market stalls, pig races, Dachsund races, wool bale races, trick horse riding, and a flood debrief panel.
The ABC reports that, although many residents are still living in caravans themselves, the sight of more caravans rolling into town with tourists was a welcome one.
Bulloo Shire Council tourism coordinator, Danielle Tuit, said the visitors brought a welcome boost to local businesses.
“Our tourism industry would normally start on April 1, but that was the night the flood came through,” she told the ABC. “It’s the ultimate time to visit and it’s so very important to these Outback communities.”
While the number of shindig attendees was reportedly down compared to previous years, those who did come – both travellers and competitors – were eager to help.
The ABC reports that, as mayor, John ‘Tractor’ Ferguson handed out the cash prize for each shearing category at the end of the night, several winners shook their heads and insisted the money be returned to the community recovery fund … to cheers from the crowd.
Thargomindah resident Liz Riley, told the ABC that the weekend of festivities was just as important to the town’s recovery as clearing away the debris.
“It gets people away from thinking of the disaster, to get out and just enjoy a weekend,” she said. “It breaks that continuous monotony of cleaning mud, cleaning walls, looking at our insurances … it just gives you that break and that’s what people need.”
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Thargomindah was, among many others of those towns, was on my “to-do” list for a forthcoming outback QLD tour. But I had thought that caravanners/tourists would be unwelcome as they would only get in the way of those trying to recover from the floods. So reading this article, I’m now more inclined to put it back on the list as we like to visit/stay in rural towns and hopefully make a small contribution to the local economy.
Thargominda was an amazing surprise for us as were all the Queensland towns along the NSW border during Covid. So clean and very reasonably priced and so much history. Thargo is a ‘must see’ for all Australians.
We are free camping along with about 10 other vanners in Thargo tonight 29/06 and enjoying beaut weather and met great people today. Spent around $150.00 on fuel and food. I counted more than 30 vans pulling into town today. Miminal signs of flood damage and the place is cheerful. Off to Noccundra tomorrow for a beer at the pub !!!
Unfortunately we missed the function by a couple days but spent time and money in town durring the week that followed