More than 3,000 music lovers hit the right note with a new world record at one of Australia’s most popular outback festivals.
The 11th Birdsville Big Red Bash kicked off in style with the return of Big Blue Day.
The event saw 3,557 visitors dressed head to toe in blue – from beanies and bandanas, to wigs and woolly jumpers – gather in the desert to set the new world record for the “largest human image of a country with people singing out loud together.”
The crowd was led by talented 14-year-old singer Amy Ryan, the youngest performer to ever take the stage at Bashville, who rallied the patriotic pack from the back of a truck.
While the revellers didn’t quite top the record for “largest human image of a country” set at last year’s Bash (5,467 people), the event still raised much needed funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
The effort raised an impressive $53,355 for type 1 diabetes research. With an additional $20,000 already raised through raffles and merchandise sales, the festival is well on its way to hitting its $120,000 goal.
“Every year thousands of people make the pilgrimage to the Simpson Desert to watch some of the biggest names in Oz rock, blues and country perform on the side of the Big Red sand dune,” said Greg Donovan, Festival Founder.
“Over the past eleven years we’ve raised over $1 million to aid those affected by type 1 diabetes, like my son Steve, and this year we’re aiming to add another $120,000 to the pot.”
Big Blue Day is just the first of many world record attempts across the multi-day festival to be adjudicated by the Australian Book of Records.
Festival goers gathered on the dunes for the Sunrise Yoga world record attempt, followed by the fan-favourite Nutbush Dance world record attempt, raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service.
The festival also features a whole host of outback-inspired activities – from dunny door painting to camel rides, air guitar competitions and the Bashville Drags Race and Fashions in the Desert.
Picture courtesy Matt Williams
