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2008 - Make Tracks to Julia Creek for the Big One!

The Julia Creek Dirt & Dust Festival will celebrate its 14th year in 2008.  From modest beginnings, today’s event brings together people from all walks of life – from Queensland, Australia and overseas.  Julia Creek, based in McKinlay Shire, is proud to host what is fast becoming Queensland’s “must go” event.  Each year the Committee aims to reproduce the highlights of the previous years and add new attractions to continually showcase the town, its people and the true Aussie Outback.

2008 will see the Endeavour Rally make tracks to Julia Creek during the Festival for the first time.  Coupled with the Harley Owner’s Group ride from Townsville, the event is quickly becoming more than bulls, bikes and butts.  For a full listing of the activities on offer, be sure to check out the other pages on this website.

From Humble Beginnings

Starting in 1994, it all began from a couple of locals spinning yarns over the bar, coming up with ways to put Julia Creek on the map.  Low and behold, in one of Queensland's hottest and harshest climates the idea was born to run a triathlon!  Whilst many would have scoffed at the idea, the challenge was taken up by many competitors in what was (at that stage) the newest tough sport.  A junior triathlon was run in conjunction with the seniors, with figures such as Brad Beven inspiring the youngsters on.  As word spread of the event, each year the number of competitors grew.  In 1997 the triathlon became part of the Saucony Adventure Series for professional triathletes.

This really turned the event from a small-scale operation into the professional outfit that it can now boast.  The original triathlon was joined by other events and activities for everyone to participate in.  Over the years we have seen magicians, country music talent quests, amateur boxing, dance groups, cultural performers, fireworks displays, tobacco rolling contests, local ironman/woman contests, and the list goes on.  But the biggest addition was hosting a sanctioned Bullride.  The men that you can now see taking on the bulls at the Dirt & Dust are not your regular cowboys, but some of the best in Australia - for we host a sanctioned Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event!

Dedicated Volunteers - The Spirit of the Bush

The Dirt and Dust Festival is organised by a non-profit organisation run by a small group of volunteers committee members and part-time event coordinator.  With the event growing in magnitude each year, the pressure placed on the committee also continued to climb.

Early in the new millenium the organising volunteers were overrun with the juggling act between the event, their families, work commitments and everything else that is just part of life in a small country town.  For those who wonder what there is to do in small country towns, the answer is…plenty.  There’s just fewer people to do it.  But the community continues to ensure the success of the event, with 10% of all McKinlay Shire residents volunteering in some way each year.

In the lead up to the 10th anniversary many were asking if were to be the 10th and final event.  The fact that we are still going today answers that.  In that year (2005) horse races were introduced onto the program with great success.  Results confirmed that the original objective had been achieved – Julia Creek had been put on the map.  And we continue to do so.

Our Accolades

In 2006 and 2007 the community was rewarded by the Festival taking out the Outback Queensland Tourism's Award for Significant Festivals and Events category and Tourism Queensland’s Excellence in Innovation award.  Whilst the committee is very pleased to receive recognition for the huge amount of effort that is placed into the event each year, the true reward comes from what is seen over the weekend of the Festival.

The community truly comes alive. We draw those who work tirelessly on the land into town for a weekend of socialisation. We reunite past and current residents. We meet new friends from near and far. We introduce international athletes to the heart of Queensland. We bring together committee members who now live throughout Australia. We light up the faces of our kids. We see that rural Queensland truly is a great place to visit and live.

So come along and check out the many colourful characters in our part of the world.  Try your hand at one of the competitions.  Or sit back and enjoy the hospitality and excitement of the weekend.

See you here...April 4th-6th 2008