In a major coup for the Outback Festival, the renowned  Birdsville-based artist, Wolfgang John, has accepted an invitation to contribute a painting for the Dunny Door Auction.

He joins Peter J Hill and Rolf Harris as artists contributing paintings for the event. Charities benefit from money raised by the auction.

Although he has visited Winton on many occasions, this is the first time Wolfgang has attended the Outback Festival – and it's also the first time he's done a painting for a dunny door!

"I’ve painted a few beer casks in my time, but this is the first request I've had to paint something for a toilet door!" he said.

Wolfgang usually works in water colour.  His work is vibrant and daring, reflecting the untamed beauty of the Simpson Desert and Channel Country.

Originally from Germany, Wolfgang moved to Australia in the 1960s to avoid army conscription, and has called Australia home ever since. He says he loves the "pure nothingness" of the outback.

"The Australian outback has a rarefied atmosphere that is unique," he said. "I spend a lot of time in the Simpson Desert, and I go to places where it feels like I could be the first human to set foot on the ground, such is the remoteness."

Wolfgang began his career as a textile artist. While operating a highly successful textile design company in Sydney, he spent every spare minute in the bush. In 1977, Wolfgang won a "best new artist" award from Lloyd Rees for his painting of the Olgas.

Following many very successful exhibitions around Australia and in Birdsville, Wolfgang made a permanent move to this remote town in western Queensland in 1994. He now operates the Blue Poles Gallery in Birdsville and invites visitors to drop in and say "g'day".

The Outback Beach Party that is a feature of the 2009 Outback Festival will welcome a very special guest, with the attendance of Australian Olympic beach volleyball gold medallist, Natalie Cook OAM.

Although she was born and raised in Townsville, Natalie has never ventured as far west as Winton, and says she is looking forward to seeing the town and meeting festival-goers.

It is now almost 10 years since Natalie and her playing partner, Kerri Pottharst, won a gold medal in beach volleyball at the Sydney Olympics, in front of 10,000 fans crammed onto Bondi Beach.

Natalie says the memories from that day will stay with her forever. "I still have strong memories of that adrenalin-charged day, of playing the game of my life, of stepping onto the podium with Kerri Pottharst, to receive the accolades of the crowd and to be crowned Olympic Gold Medal Champions," she said.

Now, Natalie is focussed on providing opportunities for other people to experience "the greatest game under the sun", and as part of her attendance at the Outback Beach Party, she’s looking forward to playing beach volleyball with anyone who's keen.

The event will be held at the local swimming pool on Tuesday 22 September. As well as beach volleyball with Natalie, there will be beach cricket, water sports, demonstrations and education sessions by the Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club, a mechanical surfboard and live music.

"With tasks such as moving fencing equipment around and pushing a vehicle through the streets of Winton, it’s not the sort of event you can easily train for," Quentin said.

"I just try to maintain an overall fitness, and hope for the best. I am certainly not what you would call a typical iron man, and have never participated in traditional iron man events."

Originally from the Winton area, Quentin never misses the festival and now brings along his wife Sandy and three children.

"Sandy competes in the Masters of the Outback event and my kids are really keen to enter the Outback Iron Kid event this year," Quentin said.

"Besides catching up with friends, there are plenty of other festival activities to keep us all busy. It really is a great five days for the whole family, and I'm looking forward to defending my 2007 title."

The Outback Iron Man event is held over five days, from 22 September and requires participants to compete in six gruelling events.

Total prize money for the event is $3,000 plus trophies. For more information visit the festival website www.outbackfestival.org

The calypso atmosphere will be created by the steel drums of Jahbutu Calypso Band, whose members are also running steel drumming workshops for all ages, and performing at various times during the festival.

The Jahbutu Calypso Band has toured nationally and internationally for many years, creating a vibrant, colourful and exciting blend of dance music direct from the streets of Carnivale.

Outback Festival organiser, Robyn Stephens said the Let's Go Troppo Party would include tropical-themed food, dancing and music.

"We’ll be giving prizes for the best loud shirt and for the best dancers," Robyn said.

"Party-goers are asked to wear their best Jamaican clothing (dread locks) and get into the swing of things with the sounds of Soca and Calypso, some funky Reggae beats and Afro/Latin rhythms."

So come to Winton and go troppo with the locals! For more information about the Outback Festival, please visit www.outbackfestival.org

In fact, Marita has won four Outback Iron Woman titles, while Sarah's sister Leesa won the inaugural event in 1993.

Originally from Winton and now residing on the Gold Coast, Sarah comes from a family of eight children, and many of her siblings return to the Outback Festival each year.

"We always try to take a big contingent of family and friends to the festival," Sarah said.

"It’s a great opportunity to catch up with our Winton friends while enjoying some fantastic entertainment."

While many of the festival events are sure to put a smile on your dial, the Outback Iron Woman event is no laughing matter. It's a tough challenge involving various speed and strength events held over five days.

"It’s tough but it’s also lots of fun, and you get a great sense of accomplishment in finishing the event."

This year Sarah "qualifies" for the Masters of the Outback event, which involves teams of four (2 men and 2 women aged 35 or over) completing various physical challenges. The total prize money for the Masters is $2000.

For entry forms or more information about the Outback Iron Woman and Masters of the Outback events, please visit the Outback Festival website at: www.outbackfestival.org/entry_forms/entry_intro.html