Best In the Land

THE Gundy Bushman’s Carnival was awarded best Campdraft Committee for 2015 by the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association at their national finals on Saturday, January 24.

Competitors voted for their favourite campdraft of 2015, Gundy was shortlisted as one of four and the qualifying competitors for the nationals voted for their favourite campdraft event.

Droving cattle for the Gundy Campdraft, between Belltrees and Gundy

Committee secretary, Charlotte Gully said the title was monumental for such a small draft.

“The title of we were the best campdraft in the nation is a monumental achievement for such a small draft, we’re up against larger draft but we won,” said Ms Gully.

“We’re not the only small campdraft to win it, Bunnan won it last year so it was nice also to keep it within the Hunter Valley and have another local committee win it,” she said.

“I think it is just the atmosphere of Gundy, it’s a real country, bubbly little town,” Charlotte Gully said.

Angus Payne, president of the Committee agrees it is an iconic ground with a great team of volunteers.

“It’s a pretty iconic ground in the sport of drafting nowadays,” said Mr Payne.

“The volunteers put in tireless hours of effort; we all band together to keep the tradition alive,” he said.

Droving cattle for the Gundy campdraft

The Gundy campdraft committee is also one of only a few in the country that still drove cattle to the draft.

“We walk our cattle to the draft,” said Angus Payne.

“There is a bit over 100 head over a week from Belltrees and we drive them over to Gundy,” he said.

“Anto White has been a great source of cattle and he became a life member of the Gundy Bushman’s Carnival, along with Marsh Carney this year,” Angus Payne said.

The Gundy Bushman’s Carnival also continues to raise money for local charities including breast cancer, the Westpac Rescue helicopter service and Scone hospital.