In 2000 a small number of members of the Wandong Rural Fire Brigade got together and decided to bring the Country Music Festival back to Wandong. It had played such a huge part in the history of our town we felt it deserved to have another go. With financial support from Mitchell Shire Council, Robert Gordon Real Estate, CPC Interiors and a small number of businesses we decided to go ahead in 2001. On March 18ththe day dawned with heavy clouds but a lot of expectations. As the rain fell the patrons started to arrive. They are a hardy bunch these country music fans and they were not deterred. A great line up of talent kept them dancing and clapping all day. Eureka Smith, is the only artist to have played at every festival in the past and we were glad to welcome him back on stage this year. Our wonderful emcee Graeme Hosking is another familiar face from the other festivals. They were joined by our own Dalton Gang, The Breakers, headline act Lee Conway, Nite Train, Git, The Edges, Dead Livers, Rene Diaz, The Cut Out and the Down Under Wonder Show. The crowd were not disappointed. A number of these musicians had played at previous festivals and were happy to come on board to ensure we got off to a great start. Brought back a lot of memories from their younger days.
The committee decided that we had enough support to continue in 2002 and started preparations. The festival was moved to the 1st Sunday in March to have a place on all our calendars. Again we had Graeme Hosking leading the way with Eureka Smith, The Breakers back again, Mike Hamilton and band, Carter and Carter, Crakajack, The Cartwheels, Ian Castles, The Dalton Gang, Jacqui Clune and local boy Jamie Dennis. Whilst it was wet again it didn’t stop the crowd from dancing, singing, clapping and having a good time. Numbers were up on last year and we had a hit on our hands. The brigade was also benefiting from the proceeds from the festival.
For 2003 we decided to add a Ute competition due to popular demand from some of the young ones in our community. More volunteers were needed to run this. Ben McMahon and his helpers took this task on. The first year saw utes arriving from all over the state and even from interstate. Our local MP Ben Hardman was invited to be a guest judge and he had a great time advising us he would be back next year and has every year since. The ute crowd loved the line up of Craig Giles, Jo Jo Leslie, Billy Bridge and Hillybilly Heat, Hardrive, Leslie Avril, The Dalton Gang, The Cartwheels, The Black Hill Ramblers, The Hay Balers, Mick Hamilton Band, and of course Eureka Smith with Graeme Hosking emceeing. Numbers coming through the gate increased again even though once more the day was wet and chilly. We were very priviledged to be featured on channel 9 ’s postcards show hosted by Coxy. The day came to an end with Coxy sitting in on drums with the Dalton Gang for a flat out bluegrass song .
The ute competition was so successful it was suggested we also have a truck show in 2004 as we have the space available all at the one venue. Whilst again the utes made a good showing truck entries were disappointing although good prizes and trophies were on offer thanks to our sponsors. Ute entries now numbered over the half century mark. This gave a great show for patrons to wander amongst during the day, especially the blokes. Especially some of the entries in the feral ute section. But we do have a chicks ute category, girls and we guarantee a lot of single blokes will be on hand! Not pouring rain this year but still damp and overcast. The stage was hot though with acts such as Callum Gleeson, Steve Doyle, Nattasha Crestani, The Breakers, a favourite, Hog Belly Moreton, The Dalton Gang, Wayne Law, Felicity, Mike Hamilton Band, Eureka Smith of course, and to wind up the day the Scared Weird Little Guys who brought the house down. The ute crowd loved them with their irreverent humour. Graeme Hosking was again at the helm keeping it all moving along.
The truck show was abandoned for 2005 with us concentrating on the popular ute competition. This year saw over 60 entries pull through the gate. Whip cracking and hijinks can be heard throughout the day in that area. The Mayor of Mitchell Shire was invited to be a guest judge along with Ben Hardman and had a ball. There are 10 sections to compete in including our new section Best Dog & Ute. There are some cute pooches but there are some that only an owner could love. What do they say about dogs looking like their owners?? The day dawned overcast but at times the sun did actually shine through and the rain stayed away. Finally! Patrons were entertained by Lee Forster, Donna Fisk and Michael Cristian, Rene Diaz and Avalon, The Dalton Gang, Marni Sheehan, Briana Lee, Eureka Smith with mate Norm Price and the Pheasant Pluckers. Johnny Chester was the headline act and no one went home before he came on stage. What a showman and really nice guy. A new sponsor this year was Alpine Petroleum who joined Mitchell Shire and CPC Interiors to enable us to bring this festival to you.
The day started off sunny in 2006 and we kept our fingers crossed. Not a cloud in sight. Now we had to contend with sunburn! At last the stalls selling hats and ice creams sold out. Thanks guys for sticking with us each year, finally paid off. The utes rolled in again from far and wide, a number from interstate included. Over 70 entries this year competing for some great prizes and trophies again donated by our wonderful sponsors. On stage this year was Camille Te Nahu and Stui French, Lee Forster, Fry Brothers, Dean and Carruthers, Kristy Cox, Ann Marita, Tim Farren, The Dalton Gang, Eureka Smith & Norm Price, Debra Byrnes, and backing by Mick Hamilton and band. Keeping things moving along was Graeme Hosking.
Another huge line up for 2007 on the stage this year, Briana Lee back for an encore, sponsored by Telstra Countrywide again, Jetty Road, local boy Tim Farren, Ruckas, Paul Costa, the Davidson Brothers, Carter And Carter back by popular demand, Billy Bridge another favourite, The Dalton Gang, Eureka Smith and Norm Price, the Mick Hamilton Band again all ably managed by Graeme Hosking. The crowd continues to grow with this festival gaining its own following now. A lot more of the locals are now becoming country music fans and enjoying a great day out. They are catered for by the Wandong Brigade members who dish up a great hamburger. All funds raised help the brigade help our community which they protect as well as assisting at fires throughout the state.
2008 was headlined by the Wolverines, the Sunny Cowgirls, Rodney Vincent, Eureka Smith & Norm Price, The Prairie Oysters, Ruckus, Tim Farren, The Dalton Gang and The Original Snake Skins. This year really turned on the sunshine, a very warm day and still the crowd has grown from last year. The feed back has been well worth the hard work that goes into getting the festival up and running each year.
2009, this year will be remembered for many a year to come, as the worst in our history because of the horrific bushfires that swept through the state on Sat Feb 7th, now known as black Saturday. From Kilmore East the fire rushed towards Wandong and burnt out homes, sheds and properties, and carried on toward Whittlesea, Humevale , Kinglake, Flowedale, Marysville and the many other towns and left a trail of destruction and terrible grief. After serious deliberation, the committee decided the festival should go ahead as planned on Sunday March 1st, it would be a bushfire relief benefit and CFA benefit. The community rallied behind us and so many people came on board to help do whatever could be done to make this a special day. The lineup booked for the day was Sara Storer, Peter Denahy, Jayne Denham, The Blackhill Ramblers, Damian Howard and the Ploughboys, Tim Farren, The Dalton Gang, Carter and Carter, David Delle Vergin. Once the news got out we had James Blundell offer his services for the benefit, Melinda Schneider, Jetty Road, Billy Bridge and Dave Walker and Blue Moon Lodge. With all these extra artists on the line up, the day was extended through to 8.30pm, the Premier of Victoria John Brumby, paid us a visit and made his singing debut with a Slim Dusty classic “Duncan” (words re written for Wandong,) what a great day it was. To everyone who donated items for raffles and auctions,gave their services, and volunteered their time a huge thankyou. We hope we have helped make a difference to those afftected by the fires.
