Why Hugh Campbell has spent nearly 50 years on the Burrandowan Picnic Race gate

In 1974, a young Hugh Campbell first took on the role of gatekeeper at the Burrandowan Picnic Races, and almost half a century later, he's only missed one.

Hugh Campbell with his daughters at the 99th Burrandowan Picnic Races in the South Burnett, May 8, 2021. Picture: Dominic Elsome

“I used to spend some time on the gate so I didn't drink too much.”

That's the reason why Hugh Campbell first took on the role of gatekeeper at the Burrandowan Picnic Races in 1974.

In the nearly 50 years since that first gate duty, he's only missed a single race “in about 1990 or so”, and has been the face almost every racegoer first sees at the dusty track.

“I probably haven't seen all of theirs, but they’ve all seen mine,” Hugh said with a laugh.

He said for a long time being on the gate for part of the day was just part of the event for him.

“I‘d go to the clay pigeon shoot in the morning that we used to have, then I’d have a couple of beers, and then I’d come and work on the gate for a bit,” he said.

Since then, it‘s become more of a way to give back to the community for Hugh and his wife Roslin – who live just a few kilometres from the track.

“This is just our community contribution – we’re involved in the working bees,” he said.

And while Hugh mans the gate, Roslin helps with the luncheon in the hall.

And there‘s little chance of the tradition ending any time soon, with the couple’s daughters learning to take tickets at the gate with their father.

He said the races were only made possible by the locals who put their hands up to help.

“It's all run by volunteers. It’s a huge effort because people have been at working bees for weeks here getting things ready,” he said.

After having come to almost half of all the races held at the track, Hugh has learnt there‘s simply something special about the picnic races.

“It's different – there’s no green grass, there’s dust,” he said.

“It's just a race like you don’t have anywhere else.”

See all the photos from the day below:

All the action from the 99th Burrandowan Picnic Races

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