Author: Wavell Heights News Columnist

• One of the first calls came from Lightning Ridge, the opal-mining town in north-west New South Wales where the annual Easter festival was in full swing. A local festival volunteer described the scene: the main street was buzzing with a “goat race” unlike any other. After concerns from animal welfare groups, the town’s famous goat races had evolved into a comedy event with people—yes, people—dressed as goats pulling small carts. “It’s goat racing with a twist, and it’s a sight to behold,” she laughed. The caller said visitors absolutely love it and the town doesn’t mind poking a bit of fun at itself. Another highlight she mentioned was the Big Opal Dig – twelve mounds of opal-bearing dirt dumped in the main street, with thousands of dollars worth of opals buried inside. “Ten lucky folks get to dig for the prize opals,” she explained, saying it’s both a tourist draw and a clever nod to Lightning Ridge’s mining heritage. With live music, markets and a parade, the Lightning Ridge Easter Festival (18–20 April 2025) was attracting big crowds . The caller’s pride in her remote community was evident as she spoke about the boost in visitors. “For a town of 2,000 to host a few thousand extra people is huge – we’re flat out but loving it.” It was a classic bush event story of ingenuity and fun, setting a festive tone early in the show.

• From the Coral Sea coast, another caller phoned in amid celebrations at Gladstone, Queensland, where the last yachts had just arrived in the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. This annual Good Friday race is a storied Easter tradition in Queensland, and the caller – a volunteer with the finishing committee – painted the scene vividly. Dawn had broken as the leading boats slipped into the harbour, greeted by cheers from locals lining the shores. She reported that line honours went to the 52-foot Maritimo 52 yacht, which led the fleet into Gladstone in the early hours of Easter morning. Many smaller yachts were still arriving throughout Sunday. The caller described how families stake out spots along Gladstone’s waterfront to welcome the sailors: “Half the town comes down to the harbour with picnic chairs. When those boats sail in, tired and sunburnt, you can see the relief and pride on every skipper’s face – and we all clap them in.” Macca asked about the conditions at sea, and she noted it had been a moderate downwind run this year with a few squalls on Friday night that tested the crews. Despite the challenges, all 30+ yachts that started were expected to finish safely. The segment captured the camaraderie and volunteer spirit around a major regional event: the pride of a coastal city hosting a 77-year-old sailing race, and an insider’s look at how Easter in Gladstone revolves around the marina.

• Back inland, the show turned to the practical realities of country life after recent wild weather. Bill from near Coonamble, NSW – a fourth-generation wheat farmer – rang in while calibrating his seeder for the upcoming planting. He told Macca this Easter brought something of a rare blessing on his wheat paddocks: soil moisture. After several bone-dry autumns, heavy rains in late March had left his black soil country “moist like a chocolate cake” and ready for sowing. “I’ll tell you what, this year – for once – I’m not planting in dust,” he said with a chuckle, the relief palpable in his voice. Bill described how in his part of north-west NSW, many farmers were busy seeding winter crops like wheat and barley earlier than usual to make the most of the moisture. He also noted the Darling River was flowing again and local dams were full, which bodes well for livestock. Macca asked if the recent floods had caused him any losses. Bill admitted some lower fields had waterlogging, but the long-term gains outweighed the short-term damage. “After years of drought, a bit of flooding is a problem we’ll take any day,” he quipped. The call gave a down-to-earth insight into agriculture: the optimism that comes with a good soaking of rain, and the timeless Easter ritual for broadacre farmers – tuning the tractor and praying for a bumper crop.

• In a more intimate conversation, Charlie, a saddler from Tenterfield on the NSW-Queensland border, shared the love of a nearly lost craft. He has been hand-making stock saddles and leather tack for over 50 years, working in a tin shed workshop behind the old Tenterfield saddlery. Charlie explained to Macca how he still uses many tools passed down from his grandfather – edge bevellers, awls, and a 100-year-old stitching pony. He described the process of crafting a saddle tree, covering it in wet rawhide, and patiently hand-stitching the skirt and fenders. It’s painstaking work that can take months. His latest project was a custom saddle for a local campdraft champion, complete with carved floral tooling and the rider’s initials branded into the leather. “You measure twice, cut once, and pray the hide holds,” he joked, saying he’s learned to be patient with both cattle and leather. Macca seemed fascinated and asked how demand is these days. Charlie said he mostly does repairs and bespoke pieces now – “I’m one of the last of the bush saddlers around here” – but noted a resurgence of interest from younger riders who appreciate quality. He also mentioned training an apprentice one day a week, passing on the old techniques. This call was a gentle dive into bush craftsmanship and heritage, and listeners could almost smell the saddle soap and leather through the radio. It highlighted the value of slow, skilled work in a fast-paced world.

• An especially heartwarming call came from Currawinya National Park in Queensland, near the NSW border, where a small team is working to bring the bilby back from the brink. Erin, a wildlife volunteer with the Save the Bilby project, phoned in at sunrise from the boundary of a vast fenced sanctuary. In the soft morning light, she described seeing two bilbies scamper back to their burrows after a night of foraging. “It’s magical! Those big ears and that hop, like little Easter bunnies of our own,” she said. The bilby, as Macca noted, has become an Australian symbol of Easter, and Erin’s update was fitting for the day. She talked about the 25-square-kilometre predator-proof fence the group maintains at Currawinya, which has created a safe haven free of feral cats and foxes. Within this enclosure, bilbies are breeding successfully. She reported several new joeys spotted this season. Erin recounted how she spent her Saturday night on “rabbit patrol,” not chasing rabbits but checking the fence for any holes or breaches after recent rain. The team’s dedication paid off: no intrusions, and the bilbies inside continue to thrive. Macca asked how people can see the bilbies or help out. Erin explained that while the Currawinya site isn’t generally open to tourists, the nearby town of Charleville has a bilby experience centre for visitors, and donations to the project help expand their work. The call ended on a hopeful note as she wished everyone a Happy Easter and reminded Australians to think of the bilby not just the bunny. It was a touching blend of conservation news and holiday cheer, clearly striking a chord with listeners who value these small marsupials.

• Not all Easter morning stories were about planned events. Some were happy accidents of travel. A pair of grey nomads, Doug and Val, called in from a dusty roadside along the Oodnadatta Track in outback South Australia. They had paused at an old telegraph station ruin near William Creek and, to their surprise, found themselves amid an impromptu bush gathering. Val explained that several caravans and 4WDs had converged at this spot the night before, entirely by coincidence. By dusk, there were about 15 travelers camped in a loose circle on the gibber plains. “Someone started a campfire in the middle, and before you knew it we had a little party,” she laughed. Different groups contributed something: one couple played guitar and fiddle, another family roasted damper and shared billy tea, and a group of backpackers produced a box of marshmallow Easter eggs to pass around. Doug chimed in to describe the sky above: “No light for a hundred miles – the stars were like diamonds. We even caught a few shooting stars.” (It turns out the Lyrids meteor shower was just beginning). In the morning, the ad-hoc friends parted ways, but not before swapping phone numbers and promises to send photos. Macca was enchanted by the story, noting how it echoed the old bush ethos of camaraderie among strangers. The callers said this unplanned Easter bush camp became one of their most cherished memories of their trip. Their tale captured the serendipity of outback travel – how the vast emptiness of the interior can still bring people together in the most unexpected and joyful ways.

• As the program neared its end, Macca squeezed in a handful of quick calls from all over Australia. A truck driver rang from Eucla, on the Nullarbor Plain, reporting a veritable convoy of caravans headed west and east: “You’ve never seen so many grey nomads – it’s like a pilgrimage across the Nullarbor this year,” he said, noting every roadhouse was overflowing with Easter travelers. Another listener from Launceston, Tasmania joked about pulling out her winter clothes as an early cold snap sent the mercury near freezing overnight, reminding everyone that summer was truly over down south. And in a delightful historical tidbit, a retired army mechanic in Victoria called to share that he had just finished restoring a World War II Willys Jeep in time for Anzac Day. He even took it for a spin on Easter morning, proudly noting, “80 years old and she purrs like a kitten.” Each of these mini-stories – from the open road to a chilly Tasmanian dawn to a piece of wartime history brought back to life – added extra threads to the rich tapestry of the show. They underscored what Australia All Over is all about: every caller, whether they have 30 seconds or three minutes, contributes something unique and genuine. 

Listen to the podcast episode here.

Disclaimer: Brisbane Suburbs Online News has no affiliation with Ian McNamara or the “Australia All Over Show.” This weekly review is an attempt to share the wonderful stories that Ian broadcasts each week and add value to what is a smorgasbord of great insights.