Whilst in the caravan park at Hillston Phill chatted with a group of people travelling on pushbikes. Phill and Mallaki talk about their trip, riding pushbikes. They call themselves the Campbelltown Joggers, but they gave up the jogging to ride bikes. They were in training for their ride from Darwin to Adelaide. We have made contact to see if their trip actually went ahead with the lockdowns, did they get out in time?

We take a drive to Gilgandra and visit the rural museum, whilst there we chat to Max. He talks us through whats to see. The museum is open every day except Christmas Day and is on the highway into town. Plenty of parking and entry is only $5.00. You could spend a few hours here going through the different rooms and displays.

While you are here, inspect the Ridley Stripper, Ruston Proctor 1912 Steam Traction Engine, Pfitzner’s 1920 Titan Tractor, Ajax Gas Producer, McKay Harvester and McCormick Deering Tractor and other unique examples of tractors and agricultural equipment used by the pioneers in the Gilgandra District.

In the display room complex, adjacent to the main building you will find a range of collections items including photographs of the local area, musical instruments, and sewing machines from past times. Gilgandra is also known for the many windmills in the area.

Phill and Max

Phill with a friendly cockatoo

Next on the show we catch up with Mel and Susie. These ladies are amazing and they are Australian Bush Poets and can they tell a tale and a great rendition of a poem. We had the pleasure of meeting Mel & Susie many years ago at The Opal Caravan Park where Phill actually got up on stage and recited The Man From Snowy River with them both. They appear every weekday at the park for the Happy Hour and recite poetry, tell jokes and also encourage the kids to get involved as well as the older audience. We had the pleasure of doing a tour of their home in Lightning Ridge and enjoying a lovely morning tea complete with scones and earing them recite poetry and tell tales, afterwards Phill sat down with the ladies for an interview.

Mel and Susie in action

Sitting back chatting with Phill