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.

Men in pink playing cricket

Teams compete across three days of action at the Goldfield Ashes. (ABC North Qld: Georgia Loney)

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.

A smiling man in cricket whites

Ross Goodwin has been playing in the Goldfield Ashes for more than 40 years. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

“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.”

A group of men stand in a circle on a cricket pitch

The Yabulu Cricket Club has been playing in the Ashes for more than 40 years. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

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.

A man in a cricket hat holds a cricket bat, in the foreground are players

The Yabulu Cricket Club’s Ross Goodwin says the Goldfield Ashes is a chance for old friends to come together. (ABC North Qld: Georgia Loney)

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.”

A smiling woman behind the bar at a pub

Jane Jesberg says the Goldfield Ashes sets local businesses up for the year. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

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.”

A sign outside a bottle shop advertising alcohol specials

Bottle shops across Charters Towers do a solid trade throughout the Goldfield Ashes. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

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.”

Two women in matching uniforms sit on a cricket field and watch the action

Players are braving heatwave conditions in Charters Towers. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

‘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.”

A smiling woman in a hat in front of a caravan

Tanya Chilton runs the Dalrymple Tourist Van Park in Charters Towers, which is booked out for the event. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

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.

A group of young men and women in matching uniforms hold their beers in the air

The Crazier Graziers are one of the 266 teams playing in this year’s Goldfield Ashes. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

“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.”

Empty beer cans next to a cricket wicket

The Goldfield Ashes is predominantly a social affair. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

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.