Issue 16 - July 2011

In this Issue:

Sporting Legends descend on Winton
From Patsy Cline to Pink, Luella has it covered
Camp in style and snooze away...
Get 'Bright n Tight' at Winton
Do not adjust your glasses, it's the Grande Parade Spectacular.

Sporting Legends descend on Winton
The dress code may be black tie but the sporting code - well, take your pick - cricket, rugby league, rugby union or hockey - at the Outback festival's inaugural Legends of Sport Charity Dinner. Wallaby great Chris 'Buddha' Handy will MC the night, interviewing some of Australia's greatest sporting heroes - Scott Prince (captain of ARL team the Titans), Nikki Hudson (hockey Olympic gold medallist), Jimmy Maher (one of Australia's finest batsmen of the past decade) and Tom Lawton (1980s rugby legend). Buddha says guests will hear many untold stories from this eclectic group of sporting greats, and have the chance to interact with the legends before, during and after dinner. "I've known each of these sporting identities for many years," Buddha said. "They trust me and thanks to our familiarity, I can tease the best stories out of them. I guarantee people will hear amazing insights, not just about sport but about life." The ticket price of $100 ($900 for a table of 10) includes live entertainment by cabaret band 'Attori', nibblies, drinks on arrival, a three course dinner and complementary wine on tables. There will also be a lucky door prize, live auctions and silent auction items, and full bar facilities are available. Even better, profits from the night go to 'Outback Response to Grantham's Recovery'. Special guests for the night will be Steve Jones, Mayor of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council, and Julie Johnson, Coordinator of the Grantham Community Flood Fund. Legends of Sport will be held at the Winton Shire Hall on Thursday, 22 September, from 6:30pm. No tickets will be sold on the night, so don't wait - book now! Early Bird Special! Book and Pay by 31 August and go in the draw to win a holiday for two people for five nights at the Harbour Side Resort on the Gold Coast. Booking forms can be downloaded at www.outbackfestival.org From Patsy Cline to Pink, Luella has it covered From Patsy Cline to Pink - you never know what you might hear at a Luella Widt show, but there is one thing that's certain â¦ you WILL have a great time! Luella has done thousands upon thousands of kilometers on the road since she began touring 13 years ago, giving her plenty of time to hone her live act. Her first performance at the Outback Festival was in 1998, when she played as part of the Brian Young Show, so she's virtually a festival veteran. She says the chance to play in "real Australia" keeps her coming back. "Playing the Outback Festival is not like anything else in Australia," Luella said. "The landscape and the people make it a really special experience, and one I always look forward to." Fans can expect to hear a mix of originals and covers - "everything except grunge", according to Luella. Born and raised in Collinsville, Luella has played with some of Australia's most high profile musical entertainers since deciding, at the ripe old age of 15, on a professional performing career. As a member of the Blue Heeler Band, now known as The Heelers which in previous years has been fronted by Troy Cassar-Daley and James Blundell, Luella has had the opportunity to perform with many of Australia's high profile country acts. Luella will be performing shot spots throughout the Outback Festival, and you can also catch her on stage in the Friday Night Fever concert with Adam Harvey and Mick Lindsay. Learn more about Luella on her Myspace page: www.myspace.com/luellamusic

Camp in style and snooze away...

The Outback Festival's Tent City, known as Snooza Paddy's, is a great place to meet people from around the world, while enjoying affordable and very comfortable tent accommodation. Quentin Kersh is a regular at the Outback Festival, having won the past five Ironman events. Quentin, his wife Sandy and their two children, stayed at Snooza Paddy's when they could not secure hotel accommodation, and were "pleasantly surprised". "We had visions of sleeping in little two man tents but it was nothing like that," Quentin said. "The tents were much bigger than we expected and came with beds, a floor and a light." "By far the best aspect of Snooza Paddy's was the chance it gave us to meet people of all nationalities, as well as lots of former Winton district residents who had come back for the festival. We all ate together at the communal kitchen and the kids had a ball playing with children from all walks of life. There was a great atmosphere." "I would say to anyone who is a reluctant camper, this is the easiest way to do it - it's all there put up for you to enjoy." Snooza Paddy's modern 2-3 person tents are carpeted, fully screened, have fold-up beds and mattresses and are fitted with an internal light. You only need to bring sleeping bags, pillows, towels, folding chairs and personal requirements. For those requiring breakfast, this will be provided on site. Hot showers, toilets and communal tea/coffee making facilities are provided, and there is a large covered area to relax under after a big day's entertainment. Snooza Paddy's is located in the grounds of St Patrick's School in Oondooroo Street, an easy walk to all festival activities. Bookings can be made through http://www.outbackfestival.org BONUS! All bookings for Snooza Paddy's made before 7th August go in the draw to win 1 of 2 Family Gold Edition Shin Plaster attraction pass to Winton's major attractions.

Get Bright n Tight at Winton

Question: What's bright, tight and heaps of fun?

Answer: The Outback Festival's Bright n Tight Fancy Dress Party!

If you've got bright clothes or tight clothes, or both, our Bright n Tight Fancy Dress Party is the place to be! There will be two sessions - a session for primary school aged children and their families (younger siblings welcome), from 6:30pm-8:30pm, followed by a high school session for kids aged 13-17, from 9pm to 11:30pm.

Bright n Tight will feature live entertainment, including a surprise performer, and the chance to win heaps of great prizes such as ipods and itune gift cards, and special prizes for family groups. The party will be held in the Supper Room of the Winton Shire Hall on Tuesday 20 September.

This alcohol free event is being sponsored by the Queensland Government's Smoke-free Support Program (SSP), which aims to raise awareness and understanding of tobacco smoking issues, and promote a positive attitude towards a smoke-free lifestyle.

The program helps community groups to stage sporting and cultural events through the provision of small grants and resources that promote culturally effective smoke-free messages.

Do not adjust your glasses

The Ettamogah Pub, an old woman who lived in a shoe, a giant whip cracking goanna â¦ in Winton's main street!? Yes, it's true! They've all appeared in the Outback Festival's Grande Parade Spectacular - an event that represents the culmination of all the craziness that is the Outback Festival.

Each year, Winton's businesses and community groups, along with festival visitors, strive to out-do each other in a display of creativity and colour. In 2009 there were more than 30 floats, with the truckies parade adding a further 30 displays to the parade.

The parade is a great opportunity for families to participate in an activity together, from designing and building a float to travelling on it down Winton's main street.

Golden Casket has supported the Festival as naming rights sponsor of the Grand Parade Spectacular since 1999. Golden Casket's support enables the festival to provide prizes in seven categories:
Best Overall Entry, Most Humorous Float, Most Attractive Vintage Vehicle, Best Equestrian Entry, Best Community Float, Best Visiting Float and Best Pedestrian Group. There are also awards for the best childrenâs costume and decorated bikes.

Golden Casket has a long and proud history of supporting communities throughout Queensland through its sponsorship of events such as the Outback Festival. The parade is held on Saturday 24 September.