Around 8000 people turned Winton in fun central for five days last week when the Outback Festival kicked into gear with a massive program that included 72 performers.
Known for its gruelling Outback Ironman, Ironwoman and Iron Juniors events and the hilarious Quilton Australian Dunny Derby, it only comes around every two years, so the anticipation was enormous.
Just about everyone was in town, including country music favourite, Tania Kernaghan, who was MCing the Sunset Extravaganza dinner, a troop of Light Horse and their regular Army support crew, and celebrity derby competitors, twin brothers Luke and Cody Cook, the winners of House Rules 2016 and Queensland Weekender presenters, who ran their dunny around the course as the The 2 Ply Guys.
The festival’s fun and frivolity gave back by using the derby to increase awareness of bowel cancer and the benefits of screening through a partnership with Queensland Health.
The “Make No.2 Your No.1 Priority” campaign aims to increase participation in the national bowel cancer screening program.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young said she was proud to support an iconic regional event and further engage with Queenslanders on important issues like bowel cancer screening.
Other festival highlights included bush poets breakfasts, the Outback Century cycle challenge, five concerts including headline act Mental as Anything and didgeridoo master, William Barton, kids’ workshops, and a dedicated indigenous cultural program.