Gilgandra’s Australia Day Prelude Concert 2023

Organised promptly by Stuart Border, and MC’d by Andrew Schier, the Wednesday night event showcased the best of the region.

It was also a fitting tribute to the original instigators of the prelude concert, Terry Nangle and Don Kennaugh. Although Mr Nangle was unable to attend, Mr Kennaugh delighted the crowd by performing a spoken verse ‘A Man From Snowy River’.

Starting off strong with a Welcome to Country by Ralph Naden OAM, this was followed swiftly by the iconic duo of Ralph on didgeridoo and Colin Mc- Carthy on the mouth organ. Event venue, the Gilgandra Services Club once again delivered a delicious dinner for the prelude crowd.

Many oldies but goodies, made an appearance including Mr McCarthy, Barrie Batten, Stuart Dougan, and sisters Janet Cheal and Naomi McCutcheon with classic true-blue songs, as well as Dr Patrick Giltrap with an all-time favourite of ‘The Hippopotamus Song’. Not to mention the side-splitting comedian Bobbie Paris, gracing the audience with not one but two sets of laughter.

Other notable acts included Anne Younghusband’s creation ‘A Stairy Fory’, Peter Bensley with a musical spoon’s rendition, and another family duo of Maxine and Alana Elsom. Newer acts, skits and faces graced the Gilgandra Services Club stage as well, with Trinity Spencer singing a Billie Eilish number, as well as ‘Kev’, aka Greg King, walking the audience through the perfect way to make a Vegemite sandwich.

It wouldn’t be an Australia Day prelude without making fun of the Aussie culture, as presented perfectly by host Stuart Border during his performance of ‘What rash is this?’, nor without a good old robbery at the Bendigo Bank. The evening was topped off with Janet Cheal and Lucie Peart leading the audience in the national anthem, as well as the whole cast and crowd joining in with ‘We Are Australian’.

All monies raised will go towards Gilgandra Red Cross and Legacy.