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00:30This time on Backroads, I'm taking you to a country ball like no other.
00:38Yes, I've mustered the courage to go to a B&S or a Bachelor and Spinsters ball, a colourful
00:46part of Australia's larrikin bush tradition.
00:53All this fun and mayhem is happening in Lucendale.
00:58Roughly 340 kilometres south of Adelaide, Lucendale also hosts an even bigger event.
01:07It's radically different, but one of the largest agricultural get-togethers in the state.
01:12You only have to tell Lucendale that it's too small to happen.
01:18And that's it.
01:19And then it fuels that fire.
01:21That's it.
01:22That's it.
01:23We need more of the older culture coming through to show us young fellas what it's all about.
01:29How does this tiny community play such a big role in keeping these bush traditions alive?
01:39I'm Christy O'Brien.
01:41And Buckle Up.
01:43I'm about to find out.
01:45My arrival into Lucendale all seems very normal.
01:58Classic tree-lined road, quiet main street.
02:02But out on the edges of the town, something is stirring.
02:10I've arrived smack-banging to the mayhem of Lucendale's Bachelor and Spinster, or B&S, ball.
02:18It's called the Yakka Whacka ball, and appears to involve a lot of drinking and some rather
02:34feral-looking cars.
02:38I've never seen so many utes in all my life.
02:41Now, this isn't a fancy Bridgerton-style ball.
02:45B&S balls are balls like no other.
02:49They've been around for over 150 years, and were designed to overcome the tyranny of distance,
02:56which made it hard for young country folk to find a partner.
03:02Now, I have a secret.
03:04At the risk of completely destroying any country street cred I have, I've actually never been to a B&S.
03:11I now want to find out what I have been missing out on.
03:16What is good about B&Ss?
03:18Just the looseness, how everyone can just do whatever they want.
03:21You can just drink as much as you want.
03:24People that don't judge, it's just a, yeah, a getaway.
03:27You get to be who you are.
03:28Yeah, exactly.
03:29You just be yourself.
03:30There's no rules.
03:32You just have fun, and you just don't be a dickhead.
03:34The yakka-whacka ball consists of two parts.
03:39There's a formal evening ball once the sun sets.
03:43Ramping up to that, there's some wild entertainment out in the car park.
03:52And nothing gets wilder than ute circle work.
03:56We got Matthew doing a run.
03:58Considered an essential part of a B&S ball.
04:01It's just entertainment for the crowd.
04:06You know, the crowd love watching it, and they love participating in it as well.
04:11Bill Crosby is the chair of the yakka-whacka committee,
04:14and heads up the crew putting this incredible event together.
04:20There's a lot of other balls where nothing happens.
04:22The patrons get bored, and they drink, and obviously get up to mischief.
04:25So, we provide the circle work competition, barrel races, and other games to keep them entertained.
04:32Most of the yakka-whacka crew are young committee members from Lucendale's Lions Club.
04:39Like Luke Farrell, who's volunteered to be the chief timekeeper for the circle work.
04:45You must bring a bit of a youthful flair, then, to the Lions Club with some of your committee members.
04:55Yes, so our youngest is 19 years of age, and they range to five of us under the age of 30.
05:02So, to be one of the younger Lions Clubs around, surely?
05:05I've brought the age down a bit, and then the rest of it, everyone's brought it down even more, which is good.
05:10Lucendale's youthful Lions Club is delivering big results.
05:16And their B&S ball is now the only one still partying on in South Australia.
05:24There used to be a ball nearly every weekend.
05:26And then they died off, and there was a whole generation that they didn't go to balls.
05:31So, it's a whole new culture that we're, you know, trying to bring back, I suppose.
05:40So, what is the key to an ideal circle work run?
05:46Ah, well, I think you need to commit.
05:50You need to hold it to the floor and be able to control it in the slide.
05:58Why do you guys like, you know, thrashing your cars so much?
06:01Just for a bit of fun.
06:02If it's that much fun, I've just got to have a go myself.
06:07It's good entertainment for everyone to watch.
06:10So, put on a show.
06:20Oh, my God!
06:21Jesus!
06:28Oh, my God!
06:29Oh, my God!
06:55Oh, my God!
06:55Who's idea was this?
07:02Of course, all this petrol-fuelled mayhem is not the full story of Lucendale.
07:09I've discovered there's another equally impressive, but perhaps slightly less wild side to this town.
07:17Just a few weeks ago, Lucendale was gearing up for another big date in the bush calendar.
07:27The South East Field Days.
07:30A massive agricultural trade show.
07:34They're banking on getting 20,000 people through the gates over two days.
07:38That's a pretty lofty ambition for a tiny town of 600.
07:42Lucendale's field days has been going for nearly 50 years.
07:47Let me tell you what's happening all day.
07:49And is now South Australia's largest annual agricultural event.
07:54The Lucendale Lions Club are doing free hearing tests in the Lions Pavilion.
07:59Just like the B&S ball, it's run entirely by volunteers.
08:03Test your skill at the laser tag.
08:06Locals like Bill's mum, Lyn Crosby, who's happy to give me a sneak peek into what it takes to put on an event of this scale.
08:18There are cute puppies at the raised run dock kennels at the Puppy Pound.
08:22Lyn was a field day's secretary up until a few years ago.
08:27But she's still around to help out on the big day.
08:31All that stuff is happening. Be there.
08:36I'm retired.
08:40Well, I don't think people retire around here.
08:43Oh, now, where's the handbrake on this thing?
08:45There you go.
08:46Hey.
08:47And where are we?
08:48Are we?
08:49No, we're not. Not yet.
08:51Oh, yes. Just fang it.
08:54Hey.
08:54This is the lifeblood of the community.
09:05And not just Lucendale.
09:07It's all around the Limestone Coast, you know.
09:10And the charities and everything else it lives on.
09:14So, Town of 500 are raffling themselves to death real quick.
09:22The town actually has a motto, a small town, big vision.
09:26Because you only have to tell Lucendale that it's too small to happen.
09:32And that's it.
09:33And then it fuels that fire.
09:35That's it.
09:36That's it.
09:37So, I'm beginning to see how these big events have a meaningful impact on tiny towns like
09:44Lucendale.
09:46Oh, it's incredible.
09:47But it's the whole district.
09:48You know, like Robe, Mount Gambier, Narra Court.
09:52All the places are booked out for accommodation.
09:54So, you know, it's just a big thing for the whole district.
09:56Yeah, it's just enormous.
09:58Lucendale's Field Days is also run by the town's Lions Club.
10:04John Motterham heads the Field Days Committee.
10:07You've raised a lot of money over the years.
10:11We've donated over $3 million.
10:15Wow.
10:17To get an understanding of how those large injections of cash can help a community like Lucendale,
10:24John suggests I head to the local public school.
10:28Adding that I need to get out there very early in the morning.
10:34Hidden beneath the covers is a prized community asset.
10:40A new school pool.
10:43Steph Brooker-Jones is this morning's lifeguard.
10:47Overseeing the regular swimmers, known as the Lappers.
10:51Despite the morning chill, the pool looks so inviting.
10:57I just can't resist a dip.
10:59This is an absolutely beautiful pool.
11:09How did you get such a good pool in the town?
11:11Well, it came about through community funding, donations from the Lions Club for the field,
11:17from the field days, private donations, and I'm very fortunate to have it.
11:25The pool is open to everyone out of school hours and must be the envy of every town in the area.
11:32It's a great example of how events like the field days can help fund projects that bring the community together and change lives.
11:43We swim right through winter.
11:45It's a heated pool, 25 degrees in the water and, you know, minus two outside.
11:51Swimming is just a different focus.
11:59You know, I've got three farmers in here.
12:00I've got an ex-neck baller.
12:02I've got a couple of rehabbers and retirees too, so, yeah.
12:06So you don't have to be good.
12:07No, you don't have to be good.
12:09I call it the wallowing pool sometimes, so it's, I'm a bit of a, yeah, wallow around, yeah.
12:15And at 25 degrees, it's good wallowing.
12:17Yes, yeah, no, I'll say.
12:18The Lappers may be finishing up their session, but I'm curious to discover more about Lucendale School itself.
12:31This unique school is known for teaching kids farm-based skills and cultivating their interest in agriculture and country life.
12:44You see these kids in a classroom situation,
12:48where they have to just sit and then you get them out here
12:52and it's a whole different side of kids.
12:54You see them excel, they achieve success
12:58and they can just take that into life.
13:02We've got some heavy ones back there, Toby.
13:05You guys are efficient.
13:06What a team.
13:06Teacher, Bec Samble, oversees the school's agricultural program.
13:12As well as helping out by loading hay for the field days,
13:16the students have lots of opportunities to get their hands dirty.
13:20We have aquaculture, we have biticulture.
13:25Pull him out, put him on his tail.
13:27We have sheep, cattle, goats, alpacas, chickens.
13:34Really, you name it, we pretty much got it.
13:38They're learning how to work hard and to do these really, yeah, practical and empowering things.
13:43We have a motto of resilience because we really believe that puts you in very good stead for life
13:48no matter what you do.
13:49But we show these kids how to do things.
13:52OK, so making sure we're keeping their head nice and high, keep that control.
13:57And then they do it.
13:59And they do it all and they love it.
14:02And I think as an employer, I would want anyone who's got those skills,
14:05you know, to be able to push on and get out of bed in the morning and go,
14:08right, what are we doing today?
14:08OK, I've got a job for you.
14:12Are you up for it?
14:13Back to school I go.
14:13Yeah.
14:14What are we going to do?
14:15So Bec is showing me how to best lead a heifer around a ring.
14:19Push your...
14:20She's like, what are you doing?
14:24Come on!
14:25It's evidently good practice if I ever end up in the local show.
14:29Come on, make me look good.
14:32And we're going.
14:34She doesn't like the camera.
14:35And we're not going.
14:36I don't know if you know or not, but you're on TV.
14:38Come on.
14:41Stop.
14:42Now you have to give her a pat and say, well done.
14:44That I can do.
14:46You did do well.
14:48Oh, OK, this wasn't in the script.
14:52Down.
14:53Down.
14:54PG show, PG.
14:57Good mate.
15:04Not the most elegant, but anyway.
15:08In regards to this community, you are in a bit of a dry patch looking around.
15:15It is really dry.
15:17Really, really dry.
15:18And a lot of people have said it's the driest they've seen it.
15:21So it's really challenging.
15:23And I think that's when community is so important.
15:26Everyone bands together.
15:27And I think that's what gets people through.
15:31And also things to look forward to, like your field day and that.
15:33Is it not just something you can positively work together on?
15:37Absolutely.
15:37I mean, a lot of farmers, and my husband's one of them, he's on the farm all the time.
15:41And, you know, it's easy to just get in that rut.
15:43Whereas you get off the farm and get in and talk to people when it makes everyone feel better.
15:48It makes you feel better.
15:49Just go and have a chat and just relax.
15:51And I think that helps you get through sometimes if it's a bit of a tough day.
15:59Lucendale's big events do more than just raise funds for things like the pool.
16:05They also create connections that help unite the community.
16:10Like the field day's State Yard Dog Championships, which is equally famous for showcasing old rivalries.
16:21So I'm heading out to a farm known as the Washpool to meet a local dog breeder and trainer who's got a reputation around town as the one to beat.
16:35Hello, Rex.
16:36Hello, Christy.
16:37How are you?
16:38Now in his early 80s, Rex Hocking is getting his Kelpies ready for today's trials.
16:47I don't know if you know or not, but you're kind of referred to as a guru around these paths.
16:52Tell me what gives you that title.
16:55Well, it's amazing.
16:56Most of all, the handlers around you, they've been out here at the Washpool at some stage in their training or started off here.
17:03And most dog trials have been to the Washpool.
17:08Because, you know, we just run a lot of training schools here and give them encouragement.
17:14Stay there, Jean.
17:15You've done everything but say you're pretty good at it there.
17:18Very modest.
17:20Oh, yeah, I was pretty good at it.
17:22No, I've been very fortunate.
17:24I've had good dogs and I've had a good trialling career and travelled all around Australia.
17:28Eugene, come to me.
17:35Rex and his Kelpie genie need to keep up the training for the championships, practicing working together to move the sheep through the yards.
17:44Back.
17:44Back.
17:45Back.
17:46Back.
17:46Rex is not only a dog trials guru, he's also held just about every volunteer position there is in town.
17:58It's a very communal town.
17:59It doesn't, whether you've got two bob or two million, we treat everybody the same.
18:04And everybody's got a job in Lucendale.
18:06Everybody's got a role.
18:06I'm starting to get the idea that part of Lucendale's recipe for success seems to stem from understanding that the work that goes into hosting major events leads to these positive impacts rippling throughout the community.
18:30Step ups, wall squats over there.
18:32Lucendale's movers and shakers have even managed to save the health centre.
18:38And can we take both arms forward?
18:40It now continues to provide regular doctor visits and this popular exercise class.
18:46Seconds, we're nearly there.
18:47Initiatives like this help the older members of the community stay put in town.
18:52LAUGHTER
18:53Lucendale is also home to young families.
18:59Not a very good shot.
19:01Oh, thank you.
19:02Like Luke's, who I first met helping out at the B&S ball.
19:09Why did you want to raise your family here?
19:13Small community.
19:14Everyone knows who I am.
19:17It was that small community that stepped in to help Luke and his mother when Luke's father was tragically killed in a car crash.
19:26His mum was left to raise four children on her own.
19:30The Lucendale Lions Club quietly stepped in and helped pay for some pressing household bills.
19:41We had a vehicle break down.
19:46Right, and it was the main vehicle and, yeah, couldn't afford to get it fixed.
19:51They stepped in and helped mum and us for a bit, so...
19:56You didn't know that, though, did you initially?
19:59No, no, no, no. Mum did not know that. She found that out by a mistake.
20:03Don't know how she found it by accident. It's just...it's loose now.
20:10Then mum paid it back.
20:11When she was financially stable, she paid it back because someone else could benefit from that money where it helped her.
20:16It helped her. She believed in helping other people.
20:19I think the tragic accident may have ended up contributing to Luke's passion for volunteering.
20:27Do you like that you can give back to something that gave to you in probably one of the worst times in your life?
20:32Yes. Yes, that's a dead set, yes.
20:35Does it make you want to stick in this town, that loyalty and that knowledge that there is a great care here?
20:41Yes, yeah. Yeah, I've tried to move away three times and I'm still here.
20:46That desire to volunteer and give back to the community
20:55means Luke and Bill are also helping out at the field days.
21:02I've been brought up volunteering since about six years old, pretty much,
21:07so I keep telling everyone I quit and handing them a badge,
21:10but I'm back every year, regardless how much people annoy me.
21:15Oh, you've got ball in there, yep.
21:19My generation, there's bugger all around volunteering.
21:24I just think it needs to be done.
21:31Back, get up, back, back, get in there.
21:33Get off, get off, get off.
21:35The competition is heating up down at Shady Corner,
21:39where the Field Days Yard Dogs State Championships are underway.
21:44Put your hands together, ladies and gentlemen.
21:45Very solid run, that one, so we'll wait to see what the judges see.
21:48It's the big time for both dogs and their trainers.
21:52I've come.
21:53Darren Janky is in charge of running today's event.
21:59People say it's not that competitive and they're only here for the fun of it
22:02and all that sort of thing, but it's proper competitive.
22:07Are you competing for sheep stations then?
22:10Oh, it probably doesn't get to that.
22:12Like, it doesn't get ugly.
22:13It doesn't get ugly.
22:14But, you know, like, people want to win.
22:18You can see they want to win.
22:23The man to beat, Rex, and his dog, Jeannie, are already out in the spotlight.
22:28Starting to get the bits pointy now, guys, so the pressure's on.
22:31The judges are looking at how well they work together
22:34to manoeuvre the sheep around the set course,
22:37all within a 12-minute time frame.
22:41So you start off with 100 points.
22:43The easiest way to describe the way of scoring is
22:45anything that's not perfect, they take points for.
22:51Yeah, look out, Darren.
22:55So who should we be looking out for then?
22:57Who are the top dogs in both ways?
23:00Oh, Rex is always thereabouts.
23:03Darren's tipping was sadly a bit off.
23:09Unfortunately, Rex and Jeannie didn't make it through
23:11to this year's final.
23:14He'll be there again next time.
23:15I was about to say, he'll leave quite another day.
23:17He'll be there sniffing around and giving us grief
23:19pretty soon enough, don't you, Rory?
23:24I'm keen to see what Bec and the school have created
23:27for their field days display.
23:30Finally here.
23:31Lots of effort goes into getting here.
23:33And when you have so many things happening at your school,
23:35what do you pick?
23:37Well, my favourites,
23:39apart from all the clever crafts on display,
23:42are these school-raised chickens on sale.
23:45And then you have to hold their legs
23:47so you've got your hands around their middle.
23:48But they're not quite as cute as this puppy
23:51down at the Yard Dog Trials,
23:53whose owner, Darren, has made it to the finals.
23:56Not only is he a competitor,
23:59he's the convener of this show,
24:00we'll organise the show
24:01and he's done a shitload of work over the weekend,
24:03Mr Darren Jenke.
24:08Come on, Jenke!
24:11Come from beyond, old cop!
24:16He came out, he's a 14-year-old boy, more or less,
24:19and now he's one of the top trolleys.
24:22It's a tight competition
24:24and Darren puts it all on the line.
24:26Darren Jenke!
24:28Coming in third.
24:40The Lucendale Field Days
24:44traditionally ends with a party,
24:47put on by the footy club
24:48to thank all the town's many volunteers.
24:51When the day's done and dusted at field day,
24:56how do you feel?
24:57I'll tell you what, it's unreal.
24:59You put in so much work
25:00and then when it's all finished,
25:02you think, gee, that was fantastic,
25:04you know, and it's just, it's just,
25:05it's, yeah, it is a feel-good thing.
25:13However, there's still work to be done.
25:16The next morning,
25:19Steph needs to make sure
25:20the kilometres of bunting are rolled up
25:22Steph!
25:23Just right.
25:24I just want to clarify one thing.
25:26Do you have a bit of a nickname for doing this?
25:28Well, you know,
25:29like I heard first off,
25:30it was bunting queen,
25:31but some of the blokes just call me a bunting bitch.
25:35OK, let's have a crack, shall we?
25:37Righto, this is the trick.
25:38You've got to hold it in your thumb,
25:39so don't let it slip.
25:41Yep.
25:41Yep, don't drop it.
25:44Don't drop.
25:46Oh!
25:47You jinxed me.
25:48You jinxed me.
25:49Very stressed now.
25:50This is why I am a bunting bitch,
25:52because, and no, this is one,
25:53you probably won't come back.
25:57But come back I did.
26:00There is no way I would miss
26:02the B&S Balls Mad Max-themed
26:05final gala event.
26:06There's certainly a different crowd
26:13to what was here for the field days,
26:15but everyone still turns up to help out.
26:23So, what exactly is Lucendale's recipe for success?
26:30Well, from what I've seen,
26:32it's a passion for volunteering
26:35that not only allows the town
26:37to celebrate these traditional bush events,
26:41but also unites the community
26:44in looking after each other.
26:47So, to see it represented
26:49in such an authentic and long-serving way,
26:53it's really exciting and inspiring.
26:56Perhaps it's time for one more dance, too.
26:58There's so many people that,
27:05you know, they need a lift,
27:06and if they can get a lift
27:09by fundraising towards something
27:10that's going to change their world,
27:12how great is that?
27:16You drive through it,
27:17it's probably not much to look at
27:18on a regular day
27:19when you drive up the main street.
27:21There's not much going on,
27:22but, you know,
27:23it's just a really friendly,
27:25great community that'll pitch in
27:27and do whatever you need.
27:34Next time on Backroads,
27:36we're heading deep into wood chopping country
27:39in northern Tasmania,
27:40where generations of champions,
27:43from legends...
27:43Bill Hude, 85 years of age,
27:46world champion many times...
27:48..to new blood...
27:50I grew up watching Dad,
27:51always wanted to do it,
27:53and he told me how to do it.
27:54..have mastered the way of the chop.
27:58Oh, that is hard work.
28:00My arse hurts.
28:01LAUGHTER
28:02LAUGHTER
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