In its fourth year, the Wyoming Round-up will donate all profits to Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale campaign, with all funds to stay in the New England North West region. 

“Being farmers, we understand what’s happening. A lot of people are doing it a lot harder than us. We’ve heard lots of stories,” Sharyn Mills said. She said she often finds encouragement from the One Day Closer to Rain Facebook Page. 

“It’s an event that we want to grow for the community, and bring visitors to our regional area to spend money in our towns,” she said of the two-day concert. 

First forming from Sharyn’s partner Dan Mureau’s private woolshed concerts with his band, the Wyoming Round-up has since grown to attract a wide range of artists from near and far. 

This year the Lavender farm will feature the Tony Q Band, Brad Butcher, Brendan Smoother, Mark Bergin, Brendon Nawrocki, Tony Kennelly, Jarrod Hickling, Dan Mureau and the Contractors, Larissa Uebegang, Theresa Hagan and Tanya Lee.

Young local artists will be encouraged to take the stage for the inaugural Star Quest, a talent competition with $1500 in cash and prizes up for grabs, courtesy of Inverell Catering Services.

With auditions on the Saturday morning and finals the next day, $350 will be on offer for the best under 15 entrant, $1000 for the top 16 or over entrant, and $150 for the encouragement awards. 

Also new to the round-up is the 44 and 60 litre drum challenges, which will stretch attendees’ creative muscles.

Entrants will do their best to transform a steel drum into something new – from furniture to hot rods; with $1000 in prize money (donated by the Lavender Farm) for the most creative piece. 

“Everyone likes to build something in their shed. There’s a lot of backyard builders out there, a lot of creative people, and we want to combine it with a bit of sculptures of scrap art,” Sharyn said.

As the event grows, Sharyn and Dan are keen to start putting art on display. 

The Wyoming Round-up will be held at 903 Mt Russell Road, Mount Russell on Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30. Tickets, available on-site, are $25 for adults, free for children 12 and under and $18 for senior citizens. Camping is $5 a night.

Entry into the drum challenge is $25, and the STAR Quest is $20. For more information on the talent quest, call Sonia on 0427 917 534, and to learn more about the the drum challenge or Wyoming Round Up, call Sharyn on 0439 166 117.