News

27January 2020

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Why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good plane? When it’s for a great cause!

Members of the Hillman Farm Skydiving Club Inc are set to skydive down at sunset at Darkan Sheepfest, Saturday 8^th February and are planning to go ‘blue’ to highlight and support the ‘Blue Tree Project’.

Jodie King, Darkan Sheepfest committee member and instigator of the special skydiving event is thrilled that it is all happening for the show –

“How lucky are we to live in a community with so much to offer. This is part of why I volunteer as we just love showcasing what we have in our own paddock.  We can’t wait to go blue for the Blue Tree Project and raise much needed awareness for mental health. Our volunteers, shearers and even some of our sheep will be wearing blue at Sheepfest this year.  Hamish Campbell and the crew from the Hillman Farm Skydiving Club with their can-do attitude has made a difficult idea easy. We can’t wait to see them paint the sky blue to remind us that it’s ok not to be ok!

All the logistics have been carefully managed; so, everyone will see the skydivers all drop in. It’ll be a challenging jump for the skydivers used to their usual vast paddock drop-zone but it’s all been carefully put together by Darkan farmer and Hillman Skydiving Club President, Hamish Campbell, who was more than happy be involved with Sheepfest and coordinate the jump. Hamish said:

“Hillman Farm skydiving club can be a great diversion from the pressures of farming, just like any football club.  Skydiving’s such a close international community, it’s really as safe as the jumper decides to make it and it opens a lot of doors and builds networks all over the world – even being in a shire as rural as West Arthur.  We’re really lucky to have the facilities of Hillman here in Darkan and the support we have from the Harrington’s who own the farm.  We would encourage anyone interested to get involved and contact us via our Facebook page “Hillman Farm Skydiving Club.”

As exhilarating as skydiving may be, at the other end of the spectrum is how exhausting mental health is.  Factor in the isolation and the ‘tough’ country façade we seem to still find ourselves in, fixing mental health in the rural Australia continues to be a constant uphill battle.

Kendall Whyte represents the ‘Blue Tree Project’ and is the sister of Jayden, who painted the first tree blue as a practical joke, prior to taking his own life.  Kendall says –

“We appreciate any effort in helping spread the Blue Tree Project message.  Hopefully together we can work to create a healthier countryside.  We want everyone to see the blue trees to remember yet make a difference to prevent others going through the same pain.”

Watching skydivers fall at the Darkan Town Oval, won’t be the first time for some.  Many shearers returning for the reunion, would also pull their footy boots on to fill the local West Arthur Bulldogs team.  The skydivers jump was a feature for the footy grand final held several decades ago. 

Last minute details are being finalised for Darkan Sheepfest, including some great entries uploaded on their Facebook page for the ‘Best Pet Sheep’ competition.  The Shearers and Shed Staff Reunion continues to receive RSVP’s right across WA with some even planning to travel from the Eastern States.  Nominations continue for the Sport Shear and Wool Handing Competitions and the Farm Boot Foot Race looks to be bigger and better than the last.

But for most visitors, whilst all the events are entertaining, being able to spend the day in the country, talking to locals and seeing sheep and wool up close is what they like about Darkan Sheepfest the best. 

All that, and Darkan Sheepfest gate entry is only a gold coin donation!

For further information or other high-res images please contact Karlene Goss at admin@darkansheepfest.com or on 0428 361 366.

Hillman Farm Skydivers more than happy to be ‘blue’ and drop down at Darkan Sheepfest

Photo Credit: Genevieve Cooper – Joy of Colour Media

Committee members, Jodie King and Karlene Goss, with the novel albeit ‘oat-itchy’ roadside Darkan Sheepfest wool bales.

2020 Darkan Sheepfest Supreme Sponsors

The ‘Shearers’ and Shed Staff’ Reunion will not only honour legends of the Australian Wool Industry but reunite great mates.

As a farm kid, there was nothing better than racing home from the school bus at shearing time to see what delicious treats were leftover from smoko. Although, as you got older you realised there was something even better than leftover jelly and custard trifle – the shearing shed cut out! Be it Bobby, Smithy or Jack – the names may have been local, but the stories and the characters could be found in any shearing team in any country town.

Darkan Sheepfest 2020 is extending an open invitation to anyone who worked in shearing sheds within the Shire of West Arthur. This special event is to provide the opportunity for them all to return,
reconnect and remember but more importantly for us to hear their history.

Darkan Sheepfest Committee member, Michael Goss, has been proud to be involved in organising the reunion and explains –
“Riding on the sheep’s back, our history shows that merino sheep formed the backbone of our district. Harvesting the wool required both shearers and shed staff. Over the years there have been hundreds of these people working in the sheds and living in our community. The idea of a
shearing reunion has been talked about by the Sheepfest committee since its first year and it was just a natural progression that we pay tribute to everyone that has contributed to this thriving industry. So, we have settled on the idea of having a simple get together for a ‘morning smoko’
that will no doubt finish off with a cut out!”

This year, Darkan Sheepfest will be held on Saturday 8th February 2020 at the town oval, commencing at 9.30am. The event will continue to maintain its strong reputation as a ‘good old-fashioned grass roots
country show’ and again make the commitment to provide a fun family day out for just a gold coin donation.

Two new events that should attract more participants and crowds are the Wool Handling competition and the ‘Best Pet Sheep’ which ultimately will be sashed ‘Darkan Sheepfest Supreme Champion Pet’. However, a very exciting event involving sheep and Darkan is to be held just prior to Sheepfest and has seen one shearer working harder in the shearing shed than ever before. Josh Clayton will be attempting to break the solo eight-hour merino ewe shearing world record on the 18th January 2020 at South’s ‘Cowrabundie Farm’. Given it will be Josh’s second attempt at the world record, it is testament to how hard-working and determined shearers can be.

Josh elaborates on the motivation behind his record attempt –
“My father was a shearing contractor and we had a sheep farm, so I guess shearing was always going to be an obvious choice for me. My world record attempt really came about working and learning from some of the best in the industry and them telling me that I was good enough and that I should have a go. I did enjoy sport at school and had been in a few triathlons, so the nutrition, training and discipline required was not going to be a problem. But you soon discover that a world record attempt is certainly a team effort and you need a big support crew, I can’t thank them enough. The Souths and everyone I have met along the way, have been fantastic especially my sponsor. I learned so much with my first attempt, so hopefully, I will have a good chance this time around and everyone in Darkan is most welcome to come and see me try.”

The same sentiment of being confident to have a go could be said about Darkan Sheepfest and what it has achieved in the last three years. There is always plenty of hard work and time spent organising these types of shows. A full program has been finalised with the return of popular events including the notorious Farm Boot Foot Race, entertaining Young Farmer Challenge and highly anticipated Sport Shear Competition.

Shire of West Arthur President, Kevin King, knows first-hand the benefits that Darkan Sheepfest will bring to the small country town –
“Shows like these are good for both the community and our Shire. I know that it is a lot of work to organise the event, but to see everyone enjoying themselves on the day and visitors to our town being able to learn about sheep and wool, benefiting our whole industry, it is worth all the
effort.”

Free entertainment will continue all day and into the night concluding with the ‘Sundowner Baa’, which should keep everyone well and truly happy. However, the committee concedes that not all days are going to be happy and therefore Darkan Sheepfest continues to be a strong advocate and supporter of mental health organisations and projects operating in rural Australia.

Continuing from the Black Dog Ride and Dolly’s Dream in previous years; this year Darkan Sheepfest will be promoting The Blue Tree Project. From tragic circumstances, Jayden Whyte is now the inspiration behind blue painted trees seen around the state and the catalyst to start having open conversations about depression and anxiety. What better place to start having these conversations than at Darkan Sheepfest!

RSVPs have already started to roll in for the ‘Shearers’ and Shed Staff Reunion’. Paul Kirk, ex-local and retired shearer, is planning to come back and see what it’s all about.
Paul comments –
“I had some of the best years working as a shearer and at the time made some really good mates. I’d tell any young person to have a go at working in the sheds at least one time in their life. The work is hard, the money is good, but the stories told are even better.”

Darkan Sheepfest 2020 is shaping up to be one event that should not to be missed!

For further information or other high-res images please contact Karlene Goss at admin@darkansheepfest.com or on 0428 361 366.

Darkan event demonstrates it’s about more than just living in a community; it is in fact belonging to one.

Darkan Sheepfest was recently held in the Shire of West Arthur, and it is continuing to be the talk of the town.  What set out to be a small event in 2018 that promoted the local sheep and wool industry and tourism for the Shire has now evolved into bringing the whole community together.  This was acknowledged by visitors who wished the same for their own home towns.  This winning formula will now continue for Darkan Sheepfest in 2020.

With over 1000 people having passed through the gate by early afternoon, the Darkan Sheepfest committee could not be happier with this year’s outcome.

Nathan King, Darkan Sheepfest Chairperson –

“Whilst these events do take a lot of time and effort to run, it has all been worth it.  We have a small steering committee but ultimately the volunteering from the overall community is what has made it another success.”

The Darkan Sheepfest program continued with the popular 2018 program which included the sport shear competition, ewe hogget competition and free children’s entertainment, however three new headline events really got the media buzzing in the lead up to the day and in which thoroughly entertained the crowds on the day.

Margaret River resident Ann Wright commented – 

“This is my second time at Darkan Sheepfest.  I have been to many shows over the years and have worked in customer service most of my life and I can tell you that country people are the best kind of people you will ever come across.  If you and your family and friends live in the city, take the time to travel out to these small towns and go to their shows.  I can honestly say, you will want to keep coming back.”

Whilst one farmer who is resting up a hamstring injury may no longer be a fan; the Farmer vs Footballer Farm Boot Foot Race was a crowd favourite.  Dan South (18) and Mackenzie Goss (16) proved what most of the locals already knew – that farmers do really run faster in farm boots.

The Young Farmer Challenge has now officially made a resurgence in WA, having been held at Dowerin Field Days and now at Darkan Sheepfest.  A very popular tradition in the Eastern States, the hope is for other WA towns to now come on board and then perhaps see which town has the state’s best Young Farmers.

Darkan Sheepfest makes a point of ensuring the whole day is about fun and being affordable for the whole family.  But there was one special activity that came with a serious note and a request for a few dollars.

‘Dunk for Dolly’ saw the use of an old-fashioned dunk tank and involved a few very brave local identities volunteering to be dunked, to not only raise money but more importantly to raise awareness of Dolly’s Dream.

A spokesperson from the Dolly’s Dream Foundation stated –

“Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, aged 14, who took her own life after an extended period of bullying and cyberbullying.  Dolly left behind her parents Tick and Kate and her sister Meg, who are now focused on using the money that has been kindly donated by the community to help prevent other families from going through the same devastating experience.  With the generous support of people all over Australia, they are raising awareness about the serious issue of bullying and its devastating effects and providing assistance and support to children affected by bullying. By supporting Dolly’s Dream, you are helping to prevent the lives of other children being lost and acting as a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Supporting Dolly’s Dream evolved from the aim of involving more youth in Darkan Sheepfest and they came along in droves.  Generally, most teenagers would avoid situations that make them stand out in a crowd.  The youth of Darkan Sheepfest are to be commended for how they represented not only themselves but also their community.  From pulling on a pair of farm boots and doing a mad dash, to the challenge of lugging heavy farm gates in the Young Farmer Challenge and even parading around in a fair few woollen pom-poms whilst strutting the catwalk – they all did this with their heads held high.

Whilst the youth were well represented at Darkan Sheepfest, so were the older and younger generations.  Miss Laila, 3 years old, strutting her stuff on the catwalk, and Mr Dew, 83 years young, directing traffic to parking areas, made a fine example that it doesn’t matter what age you are – you can always Act, Belong, Commit.  Many comments from visitors reflected that Darkan Sheepfest not only catered for all ages but embraced volunteers of all ages.

Kylie Whitaker, Laila’s mother remarked –

“Having not grown up in Darkan, I love that my children can be involved in this community.   It is so important from a young age to learn about volunteering.   But with that, comes the personal benefits that kids get back from helping others.  It certainly rings true that it takes a whole village to raise a child, in our case this town is helping raise our three!”

As the show came to an end, a town full of locals and visitors all stood around a bar built out of a grain silo, and chatted about the wool and sheep industry, whilst enjoying the sun going down.  Darkan Sheepfest was a day well spent, a night to remember, and left everyone with a sense of belonging as they all headed for home.

For further information or other high-res images please contact Karlene Goss on 0428 361 366.

 

 

 

 

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1. The hard-working Dunking Crew Sam Burgess and Leigh Studsor
2. The youth of Darkan participating in the Young Farmer Challenge and pushing the positive message to Act Belong Commit in your community!
3. Miss Laila, 3 years old, and Mr Dew, 83 years young, made a fine example that it doesn’t matter what age – you can always Act,Belong, Commit.
4. Local young farmer, Dan South, winner of the Farm Boot Foot Race and Dan Chia have been running rivals since Darkan Primary Schooldays, but they have never raced in farm boots before!

 

 

 

 

2019 Darkan Sheepfest Supreme Sponsors

17th January 2019

Darkan community supports Dolly’s Dream to break down bullying with dunk tank fun.

Darkan Sheepfest has earned the reputation of being a ‘good old fashioned, fun and safe country show for the whole family’.  Sadly there are some families in Australia whose children don’t feel safe and aren’t having fun.

This time last year, Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, a 14 year old country girl from the NT, took her own life.  It is unimaginable to think of the grief parents feel when losing a child; but it is incomprehensible to learn that it was due to the bullying and cyber bullying by somebody else’s child.  In Dolly’s own words it is now time to “Speak, Even if Your Voice Shakes.”

Local health professional and Darkan Sheepfest committee person Pam Stockley explains the decision to support Dolly’s Dream –

“Last year Darkan Sheepfest raised a considerable amount of money for Black Dog Ride but more importantly it created a high level of awareness for their organisation on the actual day and through the media.  Given our focus this year was to engage youth more at our show, it made sense to have a charity that had a focus on youth mental health.  It was unanimous that Dolly’s Dream was just the right one.”

Darkan Sheepfest will be held on Saturday 9th February 2019 commencing at 9.30am.  There are two new headline events being held – the inaugural Farmer vs Footballer Farm Boot Foot Race and the Young Farmer Challenge.  Last year’s popular events, the Sport Shear and Ewe Hogget Competitions, will be held again.  But the “Dunk for Dolly” Dunk Tank will no doubt be a very special and memorable event.

Duncan South, Chief Fire Control Officer for the Shire of West Arthur, local farmer and father of three is more than happy to be ‘dunked’ for this important cause.

“Our children are very precious to us.  We want them to feel confident about coming to us with their problems so that we can help to resolve them.  We also hope that their friends will come to us if they notice that there is something wrong.  Communication between family, friends and community will hopefully protect and help our children.”

Local Darkan teenager and boarding student Odette Telfer, 15, loves nothing more than spending time with her family and friends –

“I couldn’t imagine life without my beautiful friends and family, their love and support means a lot to me.  Dolly is a heartbreaking reminder that we need to take care of each other and be compassionate.  You never look good trying to make someone else look bad.”

Another way to combat bullying is through early education.  Eloisa Goss, Darkan Primary School Principal and recent finalist in the WA Department of Education Awards, is a strong advocate for the safety and well-being of children.

“It is important that we all know what bullying is and that we all understand what constitutes bullying. The ‘National Definition of Bullying’ in Australian schools allow us to develop this common understanding.  We use the Department of Education’s ‘Protective Behaviours’ program to help our children strengthen their ability to keep themselves safe and minimise risks. There are many personal safety issues that our children are exposed to and we are now more aware of the physical and emotional trauma of bullying and cyber bullying.  It is important our children develop personal safety and resilience skills.  You can start by simply talking at home with your children, helping them identify and understand their feelings.”

Darkan Sheepfest will once again provide free entertainment for children with only a gold coin entry fee.  There will also be a Sundowner to bring Sheepfest to a close with a bar, aptly named the ‘Baa!’ and band until 10pm.  High resolution images can be provided for publication.

For all media enquiries please contact Karlene Goss 0428361366 or admin@darkansheepfest.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 1 Pam Stockley, committee member of Darkan Sheepfest, says the community will be proud to support Dolly’s Dream at this year’s event

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 2 Locals are keen to ‘dunk Dunc!’ – Shire of West Arthur Chief Control Fire Officer, Duncan South, for a good cause

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 3 Darkan Primary School Principal, Eloisa Goss, is passionate about making children feel safe

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 4 Local teenager, Odette Telfer and friends wanting all teenagers to ‘Speak Up’ about bullying

 

 

 

 

2019 Darkan Sheepfest Supreme Sponsors