Hello everyone,

I can’t say, ‘did the right party win’ as I’m doing this on Saturday night. We’re away in the morning for a few days so a little early this week.

Apart from that, the roads are drying out slowly. I’ve had 3 phone calls today enquiring about outback roads, and my advice to all is, please ring your nearest Shire Council and seek help. In this area it is Central Darling Shire, on 08 80838900, or 80915155 after hours (recorded message) and they will be only too happy to walk you through it. They can also help you with the Unincorporated Area, (Top end country).

If there is any rain at all through the week where you are travelling, then be very careful, it gets very wet very quick. And again, the shoulders of the bitumen can be a trap.

Now what’s on. If you’re going to the ‘Big Red Concert’ then it’s on today, tomorrow and Wednesday at Birdsville.

The other big event coming up is the Great Flood Rally down at Wentworth. It’s on next Friday, Saturday and Sunday and is going to be a great few days, all sorts of fun going on. And in the middle of it is the Wentworth Markets on Saturday and Sunday. Great little town and plenty of room for all.

If you can’t make it there, then Broken Hill has the Teddy Bears Picnic Train on the 17^th. Free rides and again, heaps of things to do there as well as plenty of food for you. By the way, the usual Picnic Train is operating in The Hill on the 3^rd. Sunday of each month as well. While in The Hill, check out the 1 Day Tours that Tri State Safari’s are running at the moment, out to Menindee, Silverton and all over the place.

Remember I told you about the Dinner and Movie night at the RSL Club in Ivanhoe, great evening there on the 16^th. (Dressmaker is the movie). And bear in mind that the Ivanhoe community would love to see you all on the 13^th. August for their Annual Quickshear Competition at the RSL Club. Why don’t you go there via Menindee, they have their Community Markets on again on the 31^st.

Back up in the northern area, Bourke has heaps happening all the time, call in to the Visitors Centre there and Back of Bourke Gallery and get the latest gos on what’s on, and then at Nyngan all you have to do is see those lovely people at the Railway Museum. Of course first stop in Cobar is the Cobar Visitors Centre and Museum, all ready to point you in the right direction.

So, see if you can help someone out through the week, I broke into an “Isuzu truck” tonight, much to the gratitude of the lady who locked her keys inside!! If you are able to stop off in Wilcannia for a few days on your trip, then I definitely won’t break into your truck! We will make you feel very welcome though.

Take care and stay tuned to our fabulous radio stations, always ask for advice, see you next week,  cheers  Bill Elliott.  Wilcannia Tourism Association.

Had a bloke ask me the other day, “What’s the best way to Birdsville from here do you think mate?”  I said to him “If I was going to Birdsville old mate I sure as hell wouldn’t be startin’ from here.”

PS. Just received word, the “Milparinka Gymkhana” is on next Saturday. So, if you are within 200 ks. of that great little place they’d love to have you on board.