'Beers In Bellata': Mounties Completes $140,000 Drought Relief
Celebrate Australia Day At The Diggers With Four Days Of Entertainment
18 Mar 2020
Harbord Diggers is celebrating Australia Day this year with a jam-packed long weekend full of sport, live entertainment and family fun, as well as a chance to bowl with one of Australia’s greatest cricketing icons, Andrew Symonds.
Symonds is kicking off the Diggers’ Australia Day celebrations early on Friday 25 January, with the former international making an appearance from 2pm for a bowling demonstration, as well as a meet and greet with fans thanks to TAB.
Symonds’ appearance won’t be the only sport the Diggers sees over the long weekend, with the venue hosting Sky Sports Big Sports Breakfast for a live radio broadcast from 5.30am on Friday and from 2pm on Saturday the screening of the entire Australia Day Test on the big screen in its outdoor Ocean Terrace. Harbord Diggers will also be showing both finals of the Australian Open for tennis fans.
“Sport has always been synonymous with our country, from the scorching temperatures in summer to the mateship and unity that comes from participating and watching sport,” said Harbord Diggers General Manager, Michael Phillips.
“We’re excited to see the outcome of the Australia Day Test and also watch the Men’s and Women’s singles finals from the Australian Open with our members and guests over the long weekend,” continued Mr Phillips.
Harbord Diggers’ Australia Day celebrations will also feature a number of family friendly activities across the four days.
“On Saturday we have face painting for the kids and a display of classic Australian cars, which will give some of our guests a trip down memory lane,” said Mr Phillips.
“You won’t want to miss our petting zoo on Sunday with piglets, baby lambs, ducks and baby chicks all available for petting and feeding,” he added.
In addition to live entertainment and DJs across the long weekend, Harbord Diggers is live streaming Triple J’s Hottest 100 on Sunday 27 January throughout the venue and encourages locals to come down and enjoy the most listened countdown of the year.
“Harbord Diggers is celebrating Australia Day all weekend by offering a range of activities and events for a range of different aged members and guests,” added Mr Phillips.
“We look forward to celebrating over the weekend at Harbord Diggers with sport, music, friends and family and of course great dining options,” concluded Mr Phillips.
Australia Day long weekend schedule of events at Harbord Diggers:
Friday 25 January
• 5.30am – 9am: Sky Sports Big Sports Breakfast Radio Broadcast
• 11am – 8pm: TAB Jeep available
• 2pm: bowl with a cricket legend, Andrew Symonds
• All day: Outdoor screen with sports coverage
Saturday 26 January
• 9am – 12pm: Classic Australian Cars on display
• 10am: Face-painting
• 11am – 8pm: TAB Jeep available
• From 12pm: Live entertainment & DJs
• Teddy Larkin’s Specialty Aussie BBQ
• From 2pm: Test Cricket on outdoor screen
• From 7.30pm: Australian Open Tennis Women’s Final on outdoor screen
Sunday 27 January
• 9am: KindiFarm petting zoo
• From 12pm: Triple J Hottest 100 countdown throughout the venue, followed by DJs
• From 2pm: Test Cricket on outdoor screen
• From 7.30pm: Australian Open Tennis Men’s Final on outdoor screen
Monday 28 January
• From 12pm: Live entertainment
• All day: Outdoor screen with sports coverage
18 Mar 2020
Mounties Group chief executive Dale Hunt said their $140,000 fire and drought relief mission in the Bellata region was a way to revitalise community spirit as much as make a difference to the local economy through local spending and donations.
In short, this was more than just writing a cheque. It was about helping the entire Narrabri council region - which extends north to Bellata, west to Pilliga and south to Boggabri, suffering through drought and bushfires.
A relief team of Mounties Group staff delivered funds, services and products to the drought and bushfire-affected town of Bellata in Northern NSW during the Australia Day long weekend.
Their efforts culminated in a community event at the Bellata Golf Club on Australia Day, aptly titled 'Beers in Bellata', where almost 300 people turned out for live entertainment, food stalls and other activities funded and serviced by Mounties Group. Former X-Factor finalist and country singer Jason Owen headlined the entertainment performing some Australian hits while also handing out back-to-school packs to local kids during his set.
The region, which is blessed with wheat farms and olive groves that are strong contributors to Australia's domestic exports, has recorded less than 200 millimetres of rain in the last 12 months, watched more than 18,000 hectares of land burn after lightning strikes in October and is still fighting bushfires in the nearby Kaputar National Park.
"The Bellata region used to boast a population of 600, however due to the effects of drought and fire the township is now home to just 186 residents," Mr Hunt said.
"Our plans were three-fold - we wanted to bring much-needed supplies to the town, support local businesses and host an event for the community where we organised entertainment, food and drinks so the venue could put on a great afternoon.
"It was important to us that we didn't just pledge a donation - we wanted to be on the ground in the township and personally deliver the donations and be a part of the special event. We needed to let the community know they are not forgotten.
"This was such a thrill to be a part of - not only was it fantastic to provide assistance at a time where it is desperately necessary, but we also gained a greater understanding and appreciation of the work our farmers do and the conditions they do it in."
As part of their visit, Mounties Group relief team brought books, toys, non-perishable supplies and water donated by members of the Sydney club community. They also partnered with CareFlight to ensure medical professionals would be on hand to provide timely and important medical advice.
CareFlight CEO Mick Frewen said: "It's great to have a chance, working with our sponsors Mounties, to help the community in a meaningful way."
Mounties Group president Kevin Ingram said their hearts go out to the farmers in regional NSW and beyond.
"The agricultural industry is said to be the backbone of this country. It was great to see so many people join us on the ground in support of this event," he said.
More than $60,000 will be further injected into the local economy as Mounties Group purchased a $1000 gift card for every household to be used within the community through the 'Why Leave Town' program - a council initiative which encourages local spending.