The 2024 Boorowa Woolfest and the running of the sheep has been run and is now done, and it was another fantastic event, drawing thousands of people from all around the region to the town with strong Irish roots and a rich agricultural history.
Chairperson of the committee Susan Corcoran spoke to the Times about how the event panned out and mentioned the highlights for our readers. We thank Susan for her assistance in helping to tell the community’s story.
She said, “It was a fabulous day. We were really happy with the number of people that turned out and the weather was perfect, windy, if only we could have changed that, but people were happy.
“People also hung around longer than usual which was lovely to see and we were really proud of the efforts that the committee put in as there was lots to see and do this year.
“The crowd was positive and enjoyed it, the vibe high, and it all ran really smoothly and we are happy with the success of the day and the Festival as a whole.
This year saw the sheep run both up and down the street and as can be the case, sheep can be easily confused at times. True to form they and their handlers and the working dogs got them going in excellent fashion.
“This year we ran the sheep up and down the street, not just the one direction and we think that was a huge success in that it allowed people to view the sheep for a bit longer, so the stars of the show were really able to put on the show.
“The parade was fabulous with lots of different things to see and really showed off all the different parts of our community.
“The petting zoo is always a success and the wood chopping and sheep dog demonstration was awesome too.
“Darrell Armour at the Nutrien wool shed was a huge success. People really enjoyed being hands on with the wool.
“All the establishments into the evening were all really busy as the vibe was high and people were enjoying themselves.
The pie eaters came out of the woodwork for the competition but it was the locals who prevailed in most events, proving not only do our locals not mind a pie and a beverage, combining the two was an excellent way to keep energy levels up.
“It was the third year that we have run the pie eating competition and it definitely growing in traction every year in popularity and interest. The people come back every time. It was great to see locals participating, as well as travellers, but the locals came out winners on the day through Matt Batt and Elenor Mullany.
“The golf competition was held and the art show was held and then packed up after the event.
“We had a successful time at the art show. Forty out of the 160 artworks sold, which over two and a half days is a fabulous effort. We were really excited with how that all went and raising funds for the two local schools.
“We keep a commission from the artwork sales and that commission goes towards the schools.
“We had a donation of a fabulous artwork by Tori Corcoran that we were able to raffle and we sold over 300 tickets which was fabulous support, and it enabled us to raise even more funds.
“The caravan park was overflowing into the Showground which was full as well with caravaners settling in for a few nights to enjoy the whole weekend.
The Woolfest had plenty of spark at night time with the traditional Fireworks and Movie another highlight.
“The fireworks/movie night on the Saturday night was well attended with well over 200 people coming out. The feedback we have received is that people enjoyed the fireworks and it set a really good tone for the weekend.
Susan has now been on the committee for eight years and four in the main role as Chairperson. She is looking to step back from the Woolfest as a whole and spend more time growing the Art side of the Woolfest for next year.
She said, “I just want to thank all the committee members who support me and the event in many different ways and everybody who does their little bit in making things happen. Without the support of those committee members it wouldn’t come together.
“I have picked up some more studies and I am putting more energy into the art show side of Wool Fest and focussing on that more than I have in previous years.
“I studied Creative Arts as my first Degree and then did teaching, so I have an interest in it and always enjoyed it, but I just love the event itself in that it keeps the Old Courthouse building alive and gives it a use over the October long weekend. I also love that it is a good accompaniment activity to the Wool Fest.
“When there was a prospect of it folding, I didn’t want to see it just stop. The last couple of years I have battled on my own keeping it alive and this year I’ve had a wonderful group of girls come on board and help.
Photo by Camilla Duffy – Photographer.
“Going forward we have set up a little committee that is the Boorowa Art Show committee and we are excited to see what might happen in this space.
Volunteers can be hard to find and it appears that if an event can get through the early and normally most difficult years that it can kick on if people keep putting their hands up to volunteer.
Susan said, “I think there are people around that are willing to help if it’s valued and respected and not overdone, but I am also a young person and I am encouraging other young people to join me and do it alongside me and work as a team to get things done. I do think there are a lot of young people that are keen to help or volunteer in areas that they see valuable or value they can add. And with people you enjoy. That is the crux of it. Young people these days aren’t joining committees or volunteering for the sake of volunteering, we are doing it because we enjoy it and we want to do it alongside people we enjoy spending the time with. We are doing a good charitable thing, but also enjoying ourselves while we are doing it.
Susan has been a wonderful advocate for the Woolfest for close to a decade and wanted to make special thanks to those who make the main attraction happen.
“Reg Croker is the wonderful contributor of the sheep and Jerard Moorby is the transporter. Howard and Bill Horne co-ordinate the sheep on the day alongside Ashley Corkhill. And most importantly Jack Ryan who is our committee member who coordinates the people that make the sheep happen. Tim Corcoran tags the sheep on behalf of the school.
“Without those people we have no sheep and without the sheep we have no stars of the show.
“Thanks also to David Munnerley from Hilltops Council for his fantastic dedication to the event.
A debrief meeting and AGM will be held at the Ex-Services Club on Monday November 11 at 6:30pm. All welcome. Positive and negative feedback and everyone is welcome to join the committee.