Driving tourism at Burrawang West 'Utes in the Paddock'

by Karen Tooth and Jennifer Harris Condobolin Argus

Three local mayors offer support to "The Utes in the Paddock" gallery:
L - R Parkes Mayor Ken Keith; Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller and Lachlan Shire
Mayor Des Manwaring pictured with works by famous Australian bush
artist Michael Jones at Burrawang West.
Photo by Karen Tooth and Jennifer Harris.

The 60th anniversary of the first Holden FX Ute rolling of the Port Melbourne production line has been marked in a most unique way at Burrawang Resort, Ootha 30 minutes east of Condobolin.
Resort owner Graham Pickles is developing an open air gallery of numerous Holden utes adorned with artworks created by famous Australian bush artists.
In the shed adjacent to the “Utes In The Paddock” project, supporters, business partners and artists came together on Saturday evening with the Mayors of Lachlan, Parkes and Forbes Shire to celebrate a vision that has become reality.
More than fifty guests were treated to an evening of enjoyment that included a six piece band, a whip cracking duel and great food topped off with a spectacular fireworks display.
Owners of the now more than a dozen old Holden utes that have been resurrected from their resting place in back sheds or under trees in paddocks were also in attendance to witness the transformation that has undertaken their weary old work horse now destined to pull tourists to the three shires from far and wide.
The three mayors whose shire boundaries meet at Burrawang Resort were thrilled at the opportunity to help celebrate the Holden ute’s birthday and acknowledge the vision and hard work that has now made ‘The utes in the Paddock’ legendary.
“The ‘Utes in the Paddock’ is a fantastic idea – Holden utes helped pioneer this country of ours and now they are being preserved as a town attraction and as a reminder of the past” said Lachlan Shire Mayor Des Manwaring.

Graham Pickles welcomes guests to the 'Utes in the Paddock'
and the Holden utes' birthday party at Burrawang West.

“Not only is Condobolin and the Lachlan Shire remembered for Shannon Noll – it now includes ‘The Utes in the Paddock’.”
“I congratulate Graham and Jana Pickles for their foresight and taking the time and trouble along with Michael Taylor to develop a project of this nature,” Mayor Manwaring concluded.
The project is already receiving strong support promoting tourism west of the Newell Highway, Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith saying all three shires are set to benefit.
“‘Utes in the Paddock’ is a wonderful project that has the potential to draw a new tourism trade into the region. It is an uniquely quintessential Aussie display. We’re looking forward to promoting it in the Newell brochure and diverting visitors off the Newell to visit it,” the Mayor said.
Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller is excited about the project and the impact it will have on encouraging tourists into the region.
“’Utes in the Paddock’ is sensational – it is so ‘out there’ as a tourist attraction.
It will bring people here because of its uniqueness plus it tells a great story about the outback of Australia,” said the Mayor.
Creation of the display continues with several more utes to be added to this very unique collection of Australiana at Burrawang Resort.