Cunnamulla Fella Festival
The Cunnamulla Fella Festival and Bundaberg Rum PBR Pro Series bullride,
known as the toughest sport on dirt, was held on the 16th and 17th November
2007. The festival attracted a crowd of 1100 people to the free open air
country music concert on Friday 16th November with around 1200 people
attending the Professional Bull Riders Association Pro Series Bull Ride on
Saturday 17th November.
The crowd were excited by the nations best bull riders on the toughest
bulls all doing battle for the $8000 prize money. The winner of the bull
ride and the exclusive Cunnamulla Fella opal buckle was Sydney rider Nick
Groz with 88 points, followed by Gary Murphy from Winton with 87.5 points
and Ryan Storey from Emerald with 87 points.
Cunnamulla State School children were fantastic in their performance of "Fashion Fantasy" which delighted parents and guests. The children were under the expert guidance of Mrs Tammy Hickey and her team.
Other performances included were by award winning country music fidler, Pixie Jenkins which had the crowds feet tapping. The Lees family Band performed to the crowds and entertained all age groups.
Winners of the Bush Poetry Competition were John Roberts, for performance
of "Ballad of Baldy" and written entry "In defence of bush bards". Roy
Sandford won the encouragement award and the peoples choice for "Cunnamulla
Me".
Paroo Shire Mayor Ian Tonkin presented the Mayors Challenge Trophy to
Quilpie Shire Mayor Dave Edwards with Quilpie rider Trent Minnett taking
out the event.
The Cunnamulla Fella Centre Art Gallery was opened on Wednesday 14th
November by Mayor Ian Tonkin and the Paroo Shire Council hosted 60 guests
to champagne and nibbles. The Inaugural exhibition "In a cloud of Red Dust"
was by local artist Peta Warner.
The Cunnamulla Fella Festival advisory committee 2007 raffled 8 whole dressed sheep which were worth $80 each. The winners were Bero and Joanne, Don (Speed)Graham, Sharon Kay, Peter Clayton, John Parsons, Liz Land, Peter Gorrie, and Herb Martin. Thanks to the Billabong Hotel, NJ Thompsons True Value Hardware, the Oxford Hotel, Syl's Cafe, Warrego Butchery, Paroo Shire Council, Cunnamulla Chamber of Commerce and the Warrego Hotel.
The 2008 Cunnamulla Fella Festival and Bundaberg Rum PBR Pro Series Bull Ride will be held on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th November. For further information contact the Cunnamulla Fella Centre Visitors Information 07 4655 8470 or phone Liz Land on 0428 551 587 alternately you can email Liz sla71949@bigpond.net.au.
