BIG EVENT: Mountain Cattlemen’s Association Get Together co-organiser, Bruce McCormack, makes friends with Lynx, one of several stock horses to be auctioned at this weekend’s event.
Thousands to join cattlemen, The Man From Snowy River film stars for get together at Merrijig property
Written by RHYLL MOORE .
MORE than 4000 people are expected to converge on the Mansfield district for this weekend’s Mountain Cattlemen’s Association Get Together.
Visitors will start rolling in to the Buttercup Road, Merrijig property from Friday for three days of live music, novelty events, horse races and entertainment.
And local sixth generation cattleman, and co-organiser of the event, Bruce McCormack, said he hopes Mansfield residents will join in the celebrations.
"Although the get together has been happening for years, this is the first time it has been held so close to Mansfield," Mr McCormack said.
"It is also the first time that we, as local cattlemen, have had the opportunity to really showcase our backyard and help promote the high country area in our own way.
"It really will be a special event this weekend - different from all the others."
Along with the annual horse events, this year’s festival will see for the first time both Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton, stars of The Man From Snowy River films, attend for a special ‘Crack’s Reunion’, to be held at 1.30 on Saturday.
Mr McCormack has promised the reunion is something not to be missed.
"It will be the first time since the movies that all the crack riders will be together with Tom and Sigrid ... we intend to make it pretty special," Mr McCormack said.
There will also be the inclusion of a horse sale and children’s novelty events over the weekend.
Mr McCormack, together with local cattlemen Charlie Lovick and Graham Stoney to name a few, have spent the better part of 12 months frantically organising what he hopes will be the best get together yet.
"So many people have lent their support - from local businesses offering to sponsor an event to people ringing up to offer man power," he said.
"It’s been fantastic to see the help and enthusiasm being offered from everyone, and it’s because of everyone’s support that we know this year’s event will be a cracker.
"We, as the mountain cattleman, would just like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to everyone in town to come out to Buttercup over the weekend.
"There will be something for everyone, from the littlest tacker to the oldies.
"Putting on a great weekend is now our opportunity to say thankyou."
The MCAV Get Together is being held on Buttercup Road, accessible from Carters Road off Mt Buller Road.
Gates open 9am this Friday.
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