Dry spell doesn't stop Eumamurrin campdraft

Local families' cattle has ensured the popular annual draft will go ahead, and all the action starts today.

The Eumamurrin Campdraft has been postponed. The date is yet to be announced. Gigi Robertson. Picture: Gigi Robertson

CAMPDRAFTING: The tiny community of Eumamurrin has doubled in size, as the local sport and recreation association hosts its annual campdraft.

About 170 riders have already embarked on their collective 820 first-round runs in the arena, and for the next three days, will be chasing local cattle, which organisers say they are lucky to have this year.

"Our most valuable supporters are our cattle donors - we can't run a campdraft without cattle," Eumamurrin campdraft organiser Jane Lee said.

"It is amazing that we have cattle in these trying times, and it is all from seven local families."

With the drought continuing to bite around the district, being able to pull the draft together has been no mean feat, and the difference it makes to the small community is tangible.

"For the Sport and Rec Association, the draft is our main fundraiser for the year, and the money we raise goes straight back into the facilities, and it keeps our whole community going," Mrs Lee said.

But this weekend isn't just about the sport, it is about people gathering to get away from the dry, and being able to give them a chance to have a social life - it really is a nice break for everyone before they go back to their normal days," Mrs Lee said.

The number of people from the district and beyond who were looking for that getaway through campdrafting has astounded organisers, who have been trying to balance cattle and competitors as best they can.

"It is hard to be turning away people, especially in these times when they are looking to get away from the dry for the weekend," Mrs Lee said.

"Eumamurrin is always known to be a big weekend, and if we could run it over the full three days we would, but the cattle availability has shortened them.

"If we could have found more cattle, we would have let everybody in."