JUST beyond the Queensland border, where the canola is six feet high and the wheat and barley are growing at pace the Croppa Creek Crows have hung up their footy boots for another year.
The Croppa Creek Crows Rugby Club was first established in 1994 in a time of drought, creating an opportunity for men throughout the district to come together socially. Last year the club celebrated 20 years of community spirit and hard-fought rugby.
Half way between the great rural rugby towns of Goondiwindi and Moree lies their home ground Crow Park.
Where farmers, workers and the odd agronomist come together each week to train.
The players vary in age and experience with youngsters coming along as young as 19 and veterans resisting retirement aged 43 and beyond.
While the club celebrates many years of a strong community presence, there was 12 years where there just wasn't a team to be found. In 2014 the first Croppa Creek crows gala day was held, motivated by an extended dry spell not unlike 1994, heralding in the second generation of Crows.
"We started the club up again because it was a dry year and a lot of people were looking for something to do, but can't commit to full time football and training in town with the kind of work they do," said Croppa Creek Crows President, Rowen Tighe
For the last two year Moree, Goondiwindi, the Gwydir River Rats and Robb College have all ventured out to Crow Park for a family friendly day of rugby like no other, with a mix of competitive and non-competitive teams.
"The beauty of the crows is the great games and gala day, we have fun, and raise funds for the community, and play rugby"
"One of the great points of the crows is meeting new young farmers in the district and getting to meet each other socially," said Crow and director of the Croppa Creek Bowling Club, Andrew Gillan.
"We try and keep the traditions of the Old Crows alive."
"It's really good to see how we have such a young community thriving in the area,"said Andrew.
The Crows are currently raising money towards a kids room for the Croppa Creek Bowling Club, and planning an epic gala day for 2016.
But first, the harvest.
