A BIG WEEKEND FOR BRUCE BANDY AND THE GOOD OLD DAYS FESTIVAL IN BARELLAN
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Barellan travelled back in time when the much-anticipated Good Old Days Festival returned over the long weekend at the Barellan Showground.
The weekend was packed with heritage displays, family entertainment and authentic country experiences that showed why the Festival draws such huge crowds year after year.
The Good Old Days Festival is recognised as one of Australia’s most unique heritage events, celebrating the nation’s pioneering past and as the country’s largest gathering of harnessed draught animals, including horses, bullocks, camels, donkeys, mules and goats.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke holds great affection for the Festival and was thrilled to attend again this year.
“The Good Old Days Festival is one of the Riverina’s most iconic events, celebrating the community spirit and hard work that helped to shape regional Australia,” Ms Cooke said.
“I’m excited to see visitors from across the state and beyond come together in Barellan to experience our agricultural heritage, support local businesses and organisations and enjoy what is sure to be a fantastic and family-friendly weekend.”
As part of the official opening on Saturday, Ms Cooke honoured the driving force behind the annual Festival, Bruce Bandy, with the NSW Premier’s Community Service Award.
“I have the opportunity as the Member for Cootamundra to nominate periodically people for one of the highest awards in NSW, the NSW Premier’s Community Service Award,” Ms Cooke said.
“The sustained leadership by Bruce of the Barellan Working Clydesdales is obvious.
“The number of hours preparing horse teams and working with the volunteers to pull this festival together each year is enormous.”
Ms Cooke also highlighted Bruce’s wife Bernadette and their family for their support and encouragement not only for the Festival, but for enabling him to commit to his community the way he does.
“Bruce is also heavily involved in raising money for Motor Neurone Disease, starting the Barellan MND Tribute to the Teams Drive in 2011 and now exceeding $150,000 raised,” Ms Cooke said.
“The Good Old Days Festival continues to grow each year, welcoming new people and return visitors.
“It’s put Barellan on the map for its recognition of our culture and heritage and has brought not just tens of thousands of visitors into Barellan over the past 16 years, but has generated millions of dollars for this community and the broader region.”
Bruce was humbled by the presentation and thanked his family for always standing by him and supporting him.
“Thank you to Steph, thank you to my family for everything,” Bruce said.
CWA NSW State President Tanya Jolly officially opened the Festival with two master horsemen, Ian Dahlenburg from Murrami and Tim Peel from Borambola, presented with Life Membership by committee president Bruce.
Across the grounds, there was something to see or do, with exhibitions, market stalls, competitions, displays, and more throughout the weekend.
Be sure to add The Good Old Days Festival to the calendar for the next October long weekend.
