Barley Banquet: Black tie gathering in a paddock

Rupanyup locals are dusting off their finest outfits as they prepare for the annual Barley Banquet on Saturday. See the details.

It’s the one major outdoor event where organisers don’t mind if it rains.

More than 400 people will gather in a marquee in a barley crop for the annual Rupanyup Barley Banquet on Saturday.

The event, a mainstay for the township, is already a sell-out and guests are set to get dressed in their finest black-tie outfits and enjoy a catchup in the paddock.

The banquet started in 1996 and has run continuously except for a two-year recess due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Local farmer and member of the organising committee Ash Teasdale said the timing was excellent, with barley about a month off harvest, and many people wanting to socialise after the end of the footy and netball calendar.

Ash Teasdale and his daughter June, 8 months, prepare for the barley banquet. Picture: Zoe Phillips

He said there was a big cross-over from members of the farming community and those who play in the Horsham District Football Netball League.

“The barley paddock looks excellent; it would be great to see some rain, though,” he said.

Farmers in Rupanyup have experienced some frost damage to crops; however, they were more fortunate than some of the other harder-hit areas in Victoria.

In addition to allowing for a social gathering, the banquet has become a major fundraiser for the small community, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.

While barley crops are known to do well at Rupanyup, Ash said the area was known also as being the “pulse capital”.

“We have been calling ourselves the pulse capital of Australia for a while now,” he said.

“But when the conditions are right, we can grow excellent barley too.”

This year, conditions have been tougher than usual, with 120mm of growing-season rainfall recorded.

“I’ve looked at the forecast for the weekend, and things keep changing. If it rains, it might make setting up a bit uncomfortable, but any rain would be a lifesaver for farming,” he said.