Last-minute volunteers called on to help support bumper 140th anniversary edition of Birdsville Races on September 2 & 3

As the much-anticipated 140^th anniversary edition of the Birdsville Races fast approaches on September 2 & 3, event organisers are calling on last-minute volunteers to help stage the iconic outback carnival.

Kicking off in just over a fortnight, the September Races have seen strong ticket pre-sales, boosting demand for volunteers to help support the remote event, which is organised by the local community and helps raise vital funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

 

“We have seen awesome early commitment from punters wanting to attend the Birdsville Races this September. This is fantastic for the Races, Birdsville and surrounding towns and regions – but it also means we’d love some extra hands to assist behind the scenes. As a remote major event that relies so much on community support, we’re hoping to rally some additional volunteers to help out and have an amazing experience in the process,” said Birdsville Race Club Vice President, Gary Brook.

 

Billed the ‘Melbourne Cup of the Outback’, the Birdsville Races started as a humble bush meet in 1882 and have grown over more than a century to become a bucket list experience for intrepid travellers, racing enthusiasts, grey nomads and culture vultures alike.

 

The Races see the tiny township of Birdsville on the edge of Queensland’s Simpson Desert swell from a general population of around 115 to more than 6,000 visitors for a two-day, 13-race program, as well as a stacked line-up of entertainment, cocktail parties and Fred Brophy’s famous travelling boxing troupe.

 

In addition to being a dusty good time in heartland Australia, volunteering also provides an opportunity to give back to outback communities through helping support the Birdsville Races’ fundraising efforts for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

 

Each year, the Races hold a charity fun run to fundraise for the RFDS, as well as collecting donations throughout the race weekend. The Races also host the annual RFDS Birdsville Races Gala, giving punters a unique opportunity to dress up and experience outback hospitality and live entertainment in style whilst participating in an RFDS charity auction.

 

Operating for more than 90 years, the RFDS is a vital not-for-profit organisation that provides medical help to remote areas often cut off from medical services, as well as inter-hospital transfer services between metropolitan areas. Indeed, the RFDS has been supplying medical services to Birdsville for many decades – providing regular GP visits to the town, emergency services and operating a GP clinic during race weekend.

 

“The RFDS does so much to help not only Birdsville, but countless other outback communities – so it feels great to be able to show our thanks and collect donations throughout the Birdsviille Races,” added Gary Brook.

 

Volunteer registrations are live now at www.birdsvilleraces.com/Volunteer, with all volunteers required to be 18 years-of-age or over.

 

Volunteers can nominate to complete their shift with friends and family, and in line with a particular skill set or area of interest.

 

As a thank you, volunteers will receive a complimentary two-day racing pass, granting them access to all of the exhilarating action at Birdsville’s iconic dirt racetrack – from punting and partying to Fashions on the Field. Additionally, they’ll receive an exclusive souvenir volunteer polo shirt, a limited-edition souvenir medallion, a stubby holder and a cap.

 

Before and after shifts, volunteers will be able to participate in all the unique experiences the Races have to offer, as Birdsville transforms into a buzzing hive of activity with film, live music, cocktail parties and travelling boxing tents.

 

Volunteers will also become free members of the ‘Birdsville Races Roadies,’ a special ‘club’ that gives members access to route guidance plus connections with other Roadies, recommended overnight stays with Roadie partners, camping options, special Roadies team car stickers and access to exclusive merchandise.

 

The Birdsville Races are proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

 

Tickets to the September 2022 Birdsville Races are on-sale at www.birdsvilleraces.com.  Tickets start from $44.40. Limited additional tickets to the previously sold-out OBE Pavilion have now been released, limited tickets remain to the RFDS Birdsville Races Gala, to be held on 1 September 2022.