After the April superstorm forced the cancellation of 2015 Tocal Field Days, organisers and exhibitors are hoping the dry weather holds out just a few more weeks.
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Among those looking forward to this year’s event is Hunter icon, bush poet and genuine Australian character Bob “The Minmi Magster” Skelton.
Mr Skelton, famous for his gift of the gab, spent the last few decades reading his bush poetry at Field Days while his twin brother, Dave, works their father’s trade – the blacksmith’s furnace – for the crowd.
Mr Skelton will launch his newest tome, A Swag Of Aussie Bush Poetry, at Field Days.
“I have Included my reworked Ballard of Les Darcy that should be of interest to Maitland people,” Mr Skelton said.
“Also my Australian Light Horse and my ANZAC tribute to commemorate the ANZAC Centenary also a poem dedicated to Bill the Bastard a famous Australian War Horse.”
Mr Skelton found his passion for bush poetry after he left school at 17 to build a simple hut in pristine bushland up the valley.
“It was a great life,” he said.
He honed his craft conversing with miners in the Minmi pub before hitting the stage and winning countless poetry competitions across the nation and the world.
Today he performs his poetry weekly on 2HD Newcastle from his tin-roof hut attached to the old Minmi schoolhouse.
He said he’s proud to play an active role in the preservation of Australian culture.
“It gives you a bit of a purpose, you’re pleased you’re able to do something like that,” he said.
“We like to keep it alive.”
But, after a lifetime spent seeing the world according to a rhyming scheme, his conversation often strays spontaneously into verse.
“I’ll keep the billy boiling, I’ll always be true blue, try to preserve our Aussie culture for the generations that follow through – something like that,” he said.
Mr Skelton will perform and sell his book at the Tocal Homestead during Field Days on April 29 and 30. The book will also be available from McDonald’s bookstore in the Levee.
Tocal field Days, are on again Don’t worry about the weather Just go along, join the happy throng Help make ‘em bigger and better than ever The theme is Horses Courses and Quad bikes And there’s plenty to see I’m told Photographic Drones in action, are just one attraction That will appeal to young and old Field Days are educational and entertaining That’s what makes ‘em really great With an endless list of exhibitors From local to overseas and interstate. There’ll be Tractors & Trikes, Quads & Bikes Sheds and Tools galore There’ll be Bulls and Cows, Horses and Ploughs Chain Saws and a whole lot more. There’ll be experts there, with time to spare To speak on farmin’ life, or whatever So go along, ya’ can’t go wrong You’ll come home much wiser and clever. PS - And I’ll be there, with yarns and poems to share On our modern and old bush ways So come along, join the happy throng At the 2016 Tocal, Field Days.
- Bob Skelton, The Minmi Magster
