It’s been a long hot summer, and autumn so far, but nothing was going to stop far west graziers and managers enjoying a game of cricket on the bed of the dry Darling River near Tilpa.
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Belinda and Todd Bennett, “Vidale”, Tilpa, hosted the event on what should be a running river. It was partly to highlight the plight of the river but also an important get together for farmers who have been doing it tough for at least six months.
Most graziers in the far west have been feeding stock for months, and the monotonous duty weighs heavily.
But a quick cricket game had spirits, if not the Darling River, lifting. Recently a small flow over the Bourke weir gave hope the river might run again – but no time soon.
The event was such a success they are planning a follow up Easter egg hunt this Saturday.
Belinda Bennett affirmed on the day there was “no ball tampering”. “No one could find any sandpaper,” she joked. “Unfortunately the ball didn’t bounce on the river sand so we had to bring in some rubber mats.
“It was a bit of a hit and giggle, but we had a lot of fun.”
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
