Annual Rural Fire Service Fundraiser led by Pig Races at Tea Gardens Country Club Myall Coast Myall Coast - popup ad Myall Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 4, 2023 Pindimar-Tea Gardens RFS volunteers, for whom the piggies raced this long weekend THE HEAT ignited at the Tea Gardens Country Club this long weekend, with the annual Rural Fire Service (RFS) fundraiser Pig Races held on Saturday, 30 September. Hundreds herded to the Country Club to witness porcine glory through six races, with proceeds going to the Pindimar-Tea Gardens Rural Fire Service, who have a very busy fire season ahead. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au ‘Sty Racing’ piped the action from the racing pen into the big screen inside the Club, while each pig was energetically ‘auctioned’ before each race, and firies sold raffle tickets around the grounds for each round. Jeff Bakon (yes, really), who runs the piggies for Noah’s Thoroughbred Racing Pigs, out of Sandy Creek Pub, said that all the racers were well-weaned and veterans of the track, at the ripe old age of seven-weeks. The Baconator led the first straight charge, but was pork-rolled by Sir Oinksalot at the corner, then The Surloin Ranger overtook both, with the rest piggy-backing right behind. Hock-It-To-Me scrambled from behind, and vied with Spare Rib to lead the last leg, but the winner was Sunday Roast, who partook of the milky goal-plate first. “It’s not the fastest pig, but the smartest that wins!” Mr Bakon announced. Pork-minded punters were generous in the family-friendly atmosphere, with several auction winners bidding hundreds of dollars backing a porcine racer. With a little push from the Club, the local Firies were able to reach their $5000 goal, which will fund essential equipment and proposed facilities extension to the Tea Gardens station. The family-oriented crowd was entertained by some seriously dazzling facepainting and professional balloon artistry, as well as a madman upon a too-high unicycle and a bucking mechanical bull, for those with no shame. Conveniently kosher sushi and dim sims were also catered by The Garden Eatery, which is up for yet another award at the end of October. “The Club is a great supporter of the RFS, and we thank them and everyone for their donations today,” Brigade Captain David Bright told NOTA. By Thomas O’KEEFE Jamie Zhang of The Garden Eatery catered with his trademark fresh sushi and dim sims. The main event – five of the piggies round the corner in the first race. The star porkers rested their bacon between bouts. Huge crowds of porker punters watched the races outside and on the big screen indoors. RFS Training and Equipment Officer Maurie Leembruggen took the plunge with face-painting.
