The King of the Ranges Stockman's Challenge & Bush Festival has been recognised as a trailblazer event for regional NSW by the Regional Achievement & Community Awards.
Winning the Events & Tourism Award, King of the Ranges is held over the first weekend in May each year at Murrurundi, NSW, this year celebrating their 10th anniversary.
The Regional Achievement and Community Awards encourage, acknowledge and pay tribute to individuals, communities, businesses and groups who are making a significant contribution to regional and rural areas.
As a four-day annual event, the King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge and Bush Festival celebrates the traditional skills of Australian stockmen and women through a variety of competitions, demonstrations, activities and entertainment in a family friendly setting.
The Challenge and Bush Festival also offers a variety of opportunities to local businesses and local trades including saddleries and machinists to exhibit and sell their wares throughout the event, promoting a 'buy local, live local' message. The Challenge has successfully helped to strengthen partnerships within the community by encouraging many local groups to fundraise and volunteer throughout the festival, which attracted over 5,000 people this year. In 2013, the local men's shed, local schools and charity groups were estimated to have fundraised a total of $20,000.
King of the Ranges President Bob Paton said that Murrurundi community, known as the 'Crown of the Hunter' for its beautiful setting at the foot of the Liverpool Ranges, had provided tremendous support.
“It was a thrill to even be a finalist this year, with those accolades themselves exceeding expectations,” Bob said.
To be named the winner is overwhelming, especially considering the high calibre of the other finalists.”
“I also express my sincere thanks to the hardworking volunteers who present the four day event each May, aimed at preserving and bringing to public attention the traditional skills of Australian stockmanship through an intense and unique competition.”
