ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A fair Dinkum Festival


It's just around the corner. It’s not too far away,
the weekends in October but the bookings start in May
for the Camp Oven Festival - where cooking is the go,
but done over an open fire, the old way don't you know.
The aboriginal name Milmerran - stands for ' eyes look out'
and a sea of caravans descends in good times and in drought
Grey nomads come from everywhere across this huge big land
arriving at Milmerran for good friendship and great bands.

Round the campfires poets breakfast just as the day is dawning,
Followed up by wood chop,shearing, days are never boring.
Arts and crafts, and vintage cars, whip cracking, billy tea,
You can ride a Helicopter if aerial views you'd like to see.
You cannot squeeze between the vans and annexes and tents
and make good friends with neighbours as elbows are bent.
The amber liquid flows with ease, you just pull up a chair
as yarns and tall tales all abound – there's friendship in the air.

Volunteers of the Bushfire brigade are there to lend a hand
looking schmick in yellow - the new Mop-Up unit on hand
to show off proudly for it's at the events such as these
the cash was raised to purchase – drought has caused a monetary squeeze.
The evening meal is 'bring a plate' , everybody pitches in.
Fresh damper pulled from camp ovens – when cooked you'll hear it ring.
Bullock, and Lamb and Pigs and chooks rotating on the spits,
there's plenty there for everyone and seconds if you're fit.

Huge camp ovens of Irish stew o'er coals simmer and bubble
and fragrances of good bush food get taste buds into trouble
as small potatoes white and sweet in forty fours are boiling
and sweet corn's roasted over coals. Yes everyone's been toiling.
But grab a plate and fill it up with damper on the side.
You've scored a spot for tonight’s band, front row for the bull ride.
You're wrapped up warm, the fires are hot – you're set to rock and roll
a man wouldn't be dead for quid’s this life's good for the soul.

Maureen Clifford © 06/10

Info here on the Festival if interested in attending

http://www.australiancampovenfestival.com.au/

I guess it's just 'up the road' a bit.
Jim.

A hop skip and a jump away Jim

These little ol' 'sayings' said much in few words.

Jim.

I might even consider this - haven't been to Milmerran in many a long year.

G'day Maureen,

Long time no speak (you know what I mean).. Pity this festival isn't in August. We are coming North again but I think it will be late July/August and back home in September. I am booked for the Kangaroo Valley Festival in October. And of Course 'The Kembla Flame' in July so that will be the window of opportunity to get away for a few weeks. Sounds like you will have fun. My next one if the Snowy Mountains of MUsic long weekend in June, which is a unique festival. It has snowed every year so far.

I haven't been back there since I left the area six years ago but it is a great festival and Millmerran is such a great little town, that whole area is a bit underrated in my opinion but I might be biased Zondrae - might get to catch up with you on your next sojourn north perhaps

Cheers

Maureen

Havn't been to Milmerran since the early seventies, stayed with some rellies, one of Dad's sisters and her family.

it probably hasn't changed all that much Ross it is still just a little quiet country place with lovely people and the basic necessities of life but when the festival is on it's a hive of activity - probably more cars in the main street on the weekend than it sees all month normally .

Some up market homes in the area now but the older ones still going strong I think that some people commute from there to Toowoomba to work and of course the power station has bought people into the area. It has a huge sporting complex there now - very modern