![HOLIDAY ACTION: Leesa Bryant and Sarah Wallace all geared-up for end of week festivities around the region. Photo: Jacob McArthur 220118JMB02 HOLIDAY ACTION: Leesa Bryant and Sarah Wallace all geared-up for end of week festivities around the region. Photo: Jacob McArthur 220118JMB02](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/38c533ba-e774-4c74-b481-9f2a50bb09de.jpg/r0_0_3264_2448_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A FLIPPANT approach to a burgeoning local tradition has raised some eyebrows in the Kootingal community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Local Lions Club membership coordinator David Emanuel said the streets and parks of Kooty have fallen silent with nary a thong flipped nor a gumboot lobbed.
“I haven’t seen anybody training, not at this point,” Mr Emanuel told The Leader.
“They should be training.”
RELATED ARTICLE:
While some will mark Friday with a day of rest and relaxation, Kooty’s Memory Park will be brimming with competition, as locals and visitors square-off in the fabled gumboot toss, thong fling and pumpkin roll.
It’s riveting and serious stuff, Mr Emanuel said, with a perpetual trophy on offer for the first-placed flinger, which has been won by competitors from Tweed Heads and Victoria, as well as prizes for the triumphant tosser and roller.
The competition is open to all-comers, but you can’t simply lob-up with your favoured throwing footwear, quality control dictates entrants will toss an approved plugger, boot and pumpkin.
Kooty-based councillor Phil Betts said he had started some “very rigorous” training for the event and hopefuls should be practising at least twice a day.
“You need get rid of the redbacks from the boots and practice at least twice a day,” Cr Betts said.
The games have been running for about five years, Mr Emanuel said and the celebration will also feature a speech by former Peel High School captain William Makepeace.
The day will start at Kooty with a breakfast provided by the Lions Club, for a gold coin donation. Thong flipping will also be the order of the day in Bendemeer along with a billy boiling competition.
Manilla will mark the occasion with a golden flipper relay, as well as a formal presentation of awards at the town’s pool.
Nundle will host its formal ceremony at the public school, while Barraba residents will be celebrating at the Anglican Youth Centre.
A civic ceremony will be hosted at Ray Walsh House from 10am and festivities will kick-on from 7pm with a concert in the park and fireworks from 9pm.