Carrieton Campdraft: Ron joins in with some of the rodeo action, in the Outback region of South Australia
The search for water has been a constant throughout the history of South Australian settlement. Travel north and our unrelenting search for a decent water supply becomes obvious if you know where to look.
This engineering marvel from the late nineteenth century can be found on the outskirts of Carrieton about 350 kilometres north of Adelaide. It's a community some might describe as a ghost town - but don't let the locals hear you say that. They'll tell you there's a community out here - again you just need to know where to look.
The town was surveyed around the Yanyarrie Whim. It was the watering hole for drovers and their stock on the north-south route. It was also used by bullock teams heading from Binman all the way to Burra.
A town slowly grew after the official survey was completed in 1879. They must have been god-fearing folk back in those days because the three churches still dominate the town today along with the General Store cum Post Office cum Bank.
Local landowner Shane Rowe checks on a grocery delivery for a team of shearers. Store manager Wendy Gameau will make sure the mailman drops those much needed supplies at Shane's property later in the week. It's a vital community service - the life blood for a community scattered throughout the surrounding hills - and one which is paid for by profits from a couple of community events which every Carrieton local holds dear.
The Carrieton Rodeo in and the campdraft in November are key dates on the Carrieton calendar and get a guernsey no matter where you look. On the toilet block in the main street, the school kids have immortalised in baked tiles, the story of their town, it's people and their equestrian prowess.
Not far away some of those kids watch Lindsay practice his figure eight maneuvers in readiness for this year's Carrieton Campdraft.
Lindsay keeps his horse Monty in check, but come the big day he'll be guiding his quarter horse and a young steer through the gates of an enclosure and around several obstacles.
Campdrafting is a true blue Aussie tradition developed by the drovers of outback Australia. It's designed to show that unique bond between horseman and rider. It's the sort of skill the drovers of the past used on a daily basis when drafting prime cattle away from the main mob come sale time. Head out on an outback cattle drive and - more than likely - you'll see some of Australia's best horsemen in action - doing something that's been perfected out on the "long paddock" over generations.
Come November on the town flats at Carrieton horsemen from all over South Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory will go through their paces.
Shane Rowe, Carrieton Campdraft: "It tests the rider and the horse. It gives them something to work on and it's just a different sport."
The event's now in it's fourteenth year, and that's meant the Carrieton locals have had fourteen years to collect every spare tyre from Leigh Creek to Port Augusta to create the Carrieton Campdraft arena. Like many outback communities Carrieton's been doing it tough in the drought and the campdraft has played a vital role in boosting community spirit. It also helps pay for the community store and its delivery service to remote stations. Without it - there'd be no Carrieton.
So if you want a taste of outback Australia and it's never-say-die community spirit then head to Carrieton on November for the Carrieton Campdraft. Contact the store for details regarding accommodation. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Carrieton Campdraft
November 7th and 8th 2009
Contact Patrick Rowe on 8658 9076Carrieton Rodeo
December 27thPublished 12th July 2009
