This Friday night the century-old iconic Wallabadah racecourse will play host to a night of fun, frivolity and forgetfulness, as the good citizens of this locality, south of Tamworth, come together to laugh and play and look beyond drought to a brighter future.
Organiser, farmer and equestrian media personality Martin Gostelow has spent the last two years feeding stock and reducing breeder numbers to the point where he sees his future in trading cattle and finishing lambs.
But throughout the hardship Mr Gostelow has come to appreciate the realisation that “as a unit we are stronger. As a community we are more resilient. And the best help is self help.”
The event is billed as an awareness evening for family mental health, which is particularly relevant after the past many months, and the social get-together is designed to foster friendship and laughter.
The event will also contribute funds to the vital Westpac Rescue Helicopter service, based out of Tamworth airport, with Carlo’s IGA donating a substantial sum on the night.
Entertainment at the venue will include comedic patter from marvelous Murray “Muzza” Hartin, who Mr Gostelow describes as a raconteur bush poet in the likeness of Banjo Paterson. There will also be “Gibbo” the stupendous singing shearer from Nundle.
Wallabadah, like much of the Liverpool Plains, has much to look forward to in the way of agriculture but in spite of the green tinge to the landscape, dams remain dry and rain falls in patches. A night of light hearted entertainment might be just the medicine required.