'Goat capital' gets a real boost
THE "goat racing capital of Australia" will once again bring the unusual sport to the forefront with the country's first Goat Expo and Races in Barcaldine in September.
Thanks to Events Queensland funding the Barcaldine Goat Racing Committee will host the event on Saturday, September 15.
"Barcaldine has steadily built its reputation as being the goat racing capital of Australia," Barcaldine Goat Racing Committee president Tom Lockie said.
"Now we are set to capitalise on this and celebrate all that is good about goats with Australia's first Goat Expo and Races.
"We want the goat expo and races to showcase all the diversity, history, work and enjoyment goats have provided the outback and in fact our whole nation and many other countries in the world."
Mr Lockie said the concept already received significant interest from goat breeders and goat product suppliers and now the committee could finalise the program and confidentially approach potential exhibitors, competitors and sponsors.
Goat racing has had a long and colourful history in Barcaldine with the present Goat Racing Committee formed five years ago to revive the tradition as part of the Barcaldine's famous Tree of Knowledge Festival held annually over the May Day long weekend.
The races have grown in popularity ever since.
"Every year the races get bigger and better with more and more people travelling to Barcy just to see them, and while the races are a great way to finish off the May Day weekend the afternoon just doesn't give us the scope and time to really showcase all that we want to about goats," Mr Lockie said.
The day will include novelty events such as children's goat pet parades, a goat jumping competition and a nanny milking competition.
There will also be more serious stud breeders' exhibitions, commercial goat breeders' cross-bred competitions, goat training and husbandry workshops.
"Undoubtedly it takes a lot to put on an event like this but the funding from Events Queensland has got us off and racing, and now we would like to hear from those people who are as excited as we are about goats and goat products," Mr Lockie said.
For more information about Barcaldine's first Goat Expo and Races, phone Mr Lockie on 0448 397 111.
