WHEN you combine thousands of players and fans from teenagers to retirees, add in liberal doses of light hearted banter, gut-busting antics and plenty of cricket entwined with the celebration of our great nations’ birthday you get that special feeling in your heart of being involved in part of one of North Queensland’s most celebrated events, the Goldfield Ashes Cricket Carnival.
Held over the Australia Day long weekend from January 24-26 every year since its inception in 1948 the Ashes carnival once again drew a plethora of people to Charters Towers to watch more than 200 teams compete at close to 70 fields across the city.
From A1 teams hungry to take the title of Goldfield Ashes champions to the Social Division where catching up with mates from around the traps and enjoying a ‘red cordial’ or three is just as high on the agenda as winning it doesn’t matter: Goldfield Fever infects everyone who attends the Ashes carnival and the atmosphere this year was contagious.
Unfortunately at around 2.30 on Sunday the brilliant blue sky gave way to ominous grey clouds that portended a soaking of epic proportions that forced the cancellation of the marquee Queensland Bulls Masters XI v Charters Towers Invitational XI.
For more images from the Ashes Carnival click on the photo below.
Ashes Committee member Cr Roma Bailey told the North Queensland Register that the downpour also led to the cancellation of all A1 division matches on Monday.
“The other divisions matches went ahead but we had to cut out the last day of competition for the A1 teams,” Cr Bailey said.
“The Ashes was awarded to A Fish Called Wanda based on their superior total runs margin after the action on Sunday,” he said.
He said despite the headaches caused by the rain, all team members and spectators were in high spirits over the three days of the carnival which saw 227 teams take part.
“The atmosphere around the city was electric, Gill Street was bustling and accommodation was booked solid.”
Charters Towers Mayor Frank Beveridge said the three-day carnival provides a huge financial boost into the city with all businesses benefitting from the droves of out-of-town visitors who come along to play or watch.
"I've been playing in the Ashes for 26 years and each and every one has been full of memorable experiences, I'm just one of thousands who looks forward to it," Cr Beveridge said.
"I'd like to say a special thanks to the sponsors, committee and volunteers for all their support and hard work that goes into making the Ashes such a great time for all," he said.
"Even though we got hit with a deluge of rain at the worst possible time which led to the cancellation of the Bulls Masters match, we couldn't have asked for better weather over the two and half days."
Great times had and fond memories made are the constant factors that make the Ashes a one-of-a-kind drawcard for the Northern social calendar every January.
