Memories are a little fuzzy when it comes to the year the Nowendoc New Year Campdraft first began, but it’s understandable. After all, 1946 was a long time ago.
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Since then, countless campdrafts over New Year’s Eve and New Years Day have marked the biggest event on Nowendoc’s calendar, bar a few interruptions here and there due to bad seasonal conditions.
“This is our first campdraft over the new year in about three years,” campdraft committee member Nola Nicholson said.
“We’re pretty governed by the weather.”
That’s not to say the campdraft doesn’t happen at all. Dry weather and subsequent poor cattle conditions over summers have simply meant that the event was moved to different times of the year, such as last November and this April, when it was held thanks to the assistance of the Ascent group, in the interest of holding a community function. But the New Year event, once held over three days but now condensed into two, is always the biggest.
More than 200 people are expected to compete across eight events over the two days, turning the small outpost of Nowendoc’s 40,000 acres, with its shop, police station, motel, hall and church, into a bustling metropolis consisting of big hats, boots, dust, floats, horses and cattle. Up to five properties will supply approximately 1200 head of cattle for the individual runs and final.
“If they’ve got horses and they love to campdraft, it’s the only event around [at that time of year],” Nola said.
“It’s a good, clean, family sport and if you’re interested in horses, it’s great,” she said.
Nola should know – she’s been going to the event ever since she was little.
“My mum’s been involved ever since the sun came up, she’ll be there this year,” she said, adding that the 80 plus year-old was still on the organising committee.
“She used to go up the Nowendoc Mountain with the baby on the front of the saddle, and the swag on the pack horse,” she laughed.
The program will include a full complement of campdrafting events as well as the $500 Baileys of Greta Snaffle Bit Cutting event.
“Anyone can ride in it as long as they ride within its rules.”
Participants must be a member of the ABCRA or can purchase day membership in advance to cover insurance. Entries are open from December 7. Fees are Maiden draft $33, Novice Draft $35,Open Draft $35, Ladies Draft, $26 Junior Draft $10 Juvenile Draft $12 and Encouragement Draft $16. All entries to be posted to Nola Nicholson Secretary, NBCA Inc., Ronola 7819 Thunderbolts way, Nowwendoc. NSW 2354 (cheques made out to Nowendoc Bushmans Carnival Association Inc.,).