By Danielle Galvin
THE thunderstorms held off this year for the annual Bunyip Country Music Festival.
Organiser Joy Batchelor said the rain was a disappointment in the last couple of years and the poor weather forced crowd numbers down. But not this year.
“It was hot, but the rain held off,” she said.
More than 500 country music fans went along to the festival at the Bunyip Recreation Reserve on Sunday for their annual dose of heartland music and talent.
“It all ran smoothly. The crowd was a bit down, but it was better than the year before,” Mrs Batchelor said.
Headlining acts included Monroe’s Mill, Simply Bush and Tracey Killeen.
Mrs Batchelor said the music line-up was very well received by festival goers.
“They were great… there was no time wasted. I didn’t hear any complaints about the line up,” she said.
The festival, now in its 23rd year, is one of the few country music festivals left in the state.
“It’s sad when festivals like this don’t keep going,” Mrs Batchelor said.
Wally Wombat was also spotted on the day but Mrs Batchelor said Monroe’s Mill stole the show.
“They are brilliant musicians, they really are terrific. I heard them practicing and the crowd just loved them,” she said.
Mrs Batchelor’s great-granddaughter Maddison particularly enjoyed the day.
“One of the musicians had a barbecue with us at the house. He got his guitar out and serenaded us,” she said.
“My great-granddaughter kept asking for him to play the Owl and the Pussycat!”
