Source : ABC NEWS
In the historic goldmining town of Charters Towers, the biggest event of the year is a story of love, sweat, and beers.
The Goldfield Ashes started as a modest cricket competition in 1948.
It has since grown into the largest amateur cricket tournament in the Southern Hemisphere, bringing thousands of people to the rural north Queensland town and injecting an estimated $4 million into its economy.
This year, a record number of teams have registered from all over Queensland and beyond.
“Having 266 teams turn up is just beyond what we ever imagined,” organiser Kerri Forno says.
While a handful of A-grade sides take the contest seriously, for most players the three-day event is about so much more than sport.
Ross Goodwin has made the annual pilgrimage to Charters Towers for more than four decades to play with the Yabulu Cricket Club.
“It originally started as members that worked out at the Yabulu Nickel Refinery 50 years ago this year … and we’ve been coming to the Ashes for 45 years,” he says.
“Initially everyone was from Townsville, but now we have people fly in from Perth, we have a few people come from Brisbane, we have Sydney, [and] a good mate of ours used to fly back from Vietnam.
“It’s just such an iconic Australian event, to come up to Charters Towers and play cricket and maybe partake in a beer or two.”
Before the start of every tournament, the team gathers on the pitch to toast their lost loved ones, including a former teammate.
“This is our once-a-year get-together where we can be ourselves, enjoy ourselves, and have fun with our mob,” Mr Goodwin says.
Breathing life into town
With scorching heatwave conditions stretching across the weekend, pub owner Jane Jesberg is doing a roaring trade.
“It’s hands down the busiest weekend [of the year],” she says.
“It breathes life into the economy and sets businesses up for the next 12 months.
“They can put a bit away for a rainy day or a not-so-rainy day when it’s droughted and things get a little tough.”
Ms Jesberg has flown in staff to meet the demand.
“It is a very boozy weekend, but we’ve never had any trouble — everyone’s really respectful … and they respect the town as well,” she says.
“It’s part of our identity in Charters Towers.”
Mayor Liz Schmidt says the event is a key drawcard for the town.
“Sometimes we get a little frustrated standing in line with a hundred people at the check-out when there’s usually three or four, but we understand the economic benefit and the reputational benefit,” she says.
“People come, they see what we do, and then they come back.”
‘It’s insane’
Accommodation across town is completely booked out, with most beds snapped up a year in advance.
Tanya Chilton, who runs the Dalrymple Tourist Van Park, has 13 teams staying on site and has turned many more away.
“People come from everywhere — we’ve got a bloke, he books every year, he comes from the [United] States,” Ms Chilton says.
“It’s a lot of work, it’s very tiring, but it’s a good time.”
Ms Chilton has her reservations about players spending three booze-filled days in the sun.
“I think it’s insane, I really do,” she says.
Next generation
The Goldfield Ashes has become increasingly popular among young people embracing a quintessentially country event.
Tara Frost is a member of the Crazier Graziers, a team of young men and women who work on stations across central and north Queensland.
“It’s just a buzz — I don’t think I’ve seen so many ringers in one place ever,” Ms Frost says.
“We don’t tend to do the whole club scene in the city — this is our mingling.
“If it’s not a races, a rodeo, or a camp draft, it’s an event like this.”
The cricket is secondary to the socialising with mates never far from a cold drink.
“It’s been so much fun so far and I definitely reckon we’ll be back next year,” she says.