Tag Archives: Cancer Council Australia

Great fun, the event at Three Waters in Bullock Mountain for Crackin’ Cancer

Crackin' Cancer Logo

Man what a wonderful time was had this year at the Crackin’ Cancer Horse Trail Ride fundraiser held at Three Waters in Bullock Mountain near Glen Innes NSW, AUST. Now this event was held over the course of a week (13-20th April) but we got there earlier in the previous week so we could gear upto it – read on…

The Transport & Accommodation - We were fortunate enough thanks to Danny Gascoyne of A1 Group Removals & Storage to be offered the use of his personal Winnebago based on a Mazda T4600 Truck.

Winnebago

Now the incredible thing was that this being a turbo diesel it only used the same amount of fuel as what my 96′ Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd towing a trailer did last year, I think I might just sell all and buy one and travel this country playing music anyway I digress…

As I said I had the Winnebago and Marshall Fittler the President of Crackin’ Cancer had a Caravan and Laurie Cooper the Vice President had a roof mounted tent on his Toyota Landcruiser as can be seen… I think I had the best accommodation what do you think??

The People, Pets & Their Accommodation - This year saw over 40 riders plus their partners friends, kids, dogs and even a Macaw Parrot that liked rolling onto it’s back and having his stomach scratched – I kid you not oh and of course all the horses, wouldn’t be a horse trail ride without them now would it…

Most of the people stayed in their horse floats (spread everywhere – too far for me to walk and take a photo), some stayed in tents (not many) and some stayed in cabins. Not included in the below photo are about another twenty plus floats/fifth wheelers that were located in another yard call the Horseotel Yard (as I said too far to walk and take a photo).

And The Real Star - It truly was an amazing time with Steve Langley the owner of Three Waters (76yrs young) donning a baseball cap backwards and doing a rap song about a bloke named Joe and Fish (wish I had recorded it) and the people mesmerised by him – even me, he’s a hard act to follow! onya mate.

skull_hand_painted_by_Robyn_Baker

The Week That Was - I could go on and on but needless to say I had an absolute ball, played plenty of country music, raised lots of dollars for Crackin’ Cancer and the Cancer Council which of course means plenty of dollars for Cancer Research which as we know is very important!

On one of the nights we had an auction which raised nearly $2k which was fantastic! There was many items including whips (no chains), hobble belts, clothing, alcohol and a skull hand painted by Robyn Baker which looked fantastic.

Friday The Last Ride - We of course had a ride into town to the Railway Tavern in Glen Innes and had a beautiful meal, yes I had Pizza although having lost weight meant I could only eat a medium and not a family size – don’t know how I did it last year.

riders

After finishing lunch at the Railway Tavern it was time to mount up and head back to the property. It meant traversing over the old abandoned railway lines again and the twenty plus kilometre trek back. This was the last ride of the week (Friday) and would be finished with a beautiful spit roast like last year – yummmm.

The Sad Bit The Trip Home - Anyway all that remains is the trip home for me which was both enjoyable but sad as I could have really stayed up their for a lot longer, I miss the bush and don’t like leaving. There was friends from the last 2 years plus new friends that was made and hopefully we’ll all catch up again over the next 12 months – it’s a big country after all. I’ll even miss the brown snakes that I saw on my early morning walks crossing the dirt road in front of me. There was so much more that I could mention but then this would turn into a novel and would never end.

Anyways a picture of one the places I stopped at on the travels back, this place was a tribute to the first settlers with sails set up yet no water nearby – and why they had a pirate playground is beyond me (was fun tho & you can just see it if you look) but the amount of RV’s and Caravans that stay their overnight is incredible and yes I was one of them groan.

Till next time peoples and if you see me then say hello – I don’t bite well not very often and I am fairly well house trained sorta.

Here is what you can expect on the 3rd Annual Crackin’ Cancer Three Waters Horse Trail Ride

From April 13th to April 20th 2013 “The 3rd Annual Crackin’ Cancer Three Waters Horse Trail Ride” with your hosts Kerry, Deb and Steve

Kerry, Deb, Steve sm

Now as you might have guessed yes April might sound like 2 months away but that in reality is only like 7 weeks away even less when you think about the preparations!!

Dinner sm

Hard work I hear you say well… this is what you can look forward to on the Friday hmmm I can smell it now…

Have a look at some of the pictures and they pale into comparison when compared to actually being there.

The sights and smells – think roast pig and bacon and eggs and well hmmm ok and don’t think horse shit although there will be that as well.

Now of course the event couldn’t be run without the hard work of many people especially Marshall Fittler (President) and Laurie Cooper (Vice President) from Crackin Cancer. They tirelessly work all year round donating their time on the various Crackin’ Cancer projects. Laurie is on the left and Marshall is in the middle with Dr Sue Page (medical advisor) on the right.

Above is a wide angle shot of some beautiful scenery from last years ride. Remember you get to cover some 25klm plus each day with Wednesday being a rest day. You also get to ride into the town of Glen Innes and have a lovely meal at the pub.

We even get to sing the Crackin Cancer song as well as be entertained by yours truly for several hours each day from late afternoon and best of all raise monies for Cancer Research.

Have a look and listen I realise it was taken on somebodies phone but it’s better than nothing.

On the Wednesday which is normally the rest day there is a presentation by Mark Langley the son of the owner of Three Waters who has a business called Equine Ability and I have to admit he is absolutely brilliant when it comes to horse whispering – his way with horses is something to be watched and amazed by. Mark is on the left, his dad on the right…

You have to see this to believe it seriously

If you come along say hello, if you happen to be in the area then come on out and say hello we are all there for a good cause. It is hard to explain in words about how incredible this week is, all I can say is come along – the experience and friendships developed are well worth it.

Till next time cheers – Leigh

A good week yet a sad week and the memories it brings…

Last Friday was the 24th of August and so what I hear you say… well that particular Friday my brother turned 50 (a happy occasion?) yet I couldn’t travel interstate as I had to have several viles of blood taken for numerous tests, have an e.c.g. plus more. As I have a lump on my lung and keep getting pneumonia they are still deciding what to do – hence all the tests.

Monday brought about the C.T. Scan, chest X-ray and comparisons to the previous scans, anyway I won’t bore you with the details needless to say there will be follow up appointments, tests and things to do.

That Friday tho the 24th was also the 1st anniversary of my mates (Brian) missus Kell, passing from Cancer which I wrote under the title “Cancer Sucks fair dinkum” it is hard to believe that a year has passed since then. Brian true to his promise is still looking after Kells kids, is still providing a stable and loving home and still doing what he can to ensure they have a decent life.

You think that because you are going through different things which in my case are health issues they are important which really they are but, losing someone and trying to carry on is really difficult especially when they are family as it means you can no longer tell them things and the things you did want to say – well it is maybe too late.

Never take things or people for granted cause one day they just might not be there… then it will be too late – I know because losing my father was hard enough on me and still is however I see how it still affects my mum, they had 51yrs of marriage.

To Brian mate, I understand your pain and to Kel you were a lovely and kind person who really was way too young only 42 years of age. The picture below is how we will remember you, full of life.

Kell Heffernan (1969 – 2011) aged 42yrs RIP

The 2012 Crackin’ Cancer Horse Trail Ride at Three Waters – a success!!!

What a week is was at Three Waters up at Bullock Mountain near Glen Innes. The property is amazing and when over a week you cover distances of 25 to 30 km a day you get to see a lot, including properties that other than the owners most people will never see.

Steve Langley the owner of Three Waters is turning 76 years of age in a few weeks and the energy he has is amazing. Up at 4.30am and off to do work around the place prior to putting in a day of riding leading the 30 plus riders over the 30 odd km, then doing more work and finishing off with a social evening at the ‘Gunyah’ with all concerned. You have to remember that this property is also a holiday destination for people so he doesn’t get much chance to rest. Kerry Byrne, Steve’s partner likewise is also flat out with the running of the property plus more helping the local council during each day as well – both amazing people!!

Of course the big winner is Crackin’ Cancer and the Cancer Council of NSW as near $8,000 was raised towards Cancer Research.

This money was raised from rider sponsorships, an auction and from monies raised from the sale of my single Crackin’ Cancer on the auction night – so a big thank you to all that helped, the money is definitely needed. Remember “Research is the answer but funding is the key”

On the Friday Steve Langley led all the riders on a Pub Crawl on Horseback as they all rode 30km plus return trip into Glen Innes and to the Railway Tavern where all enjoyed pizza in which their reputation precedes them. One of the horses even poked his head in through one of the windows and ate some pizza from a locals hand much to their amazement.

On return everybody enjoyed a pig on a spit for dinner and a great nights entertainment by yours truly including everybody joining in on the chorus of my song Crackin’ Cancer, we had a great night even though everybody knew that the next day was the last.

Congratulations to Steve Langley, the man the myth the legend (seen here relaxing) who received a Certificate of Accreditation from the Trail Riders Association as a drover, overseer, trail boss plus some that I cannot remember – sorry Steve

This event will be staged again next year on May 11th 2013 – mark it in your calenders!

Till next time y’all – Leigh

The Great Crackin’ Cancer Horse Trail Ride at Three Waters is on again!!!

Its on again….

The Great Crackin’ Cancer/Cancer Council NSW Horse Trail Ride, to Raise Funds For Cancer Research

“This is the one cause that I will always support so make the effort, come along and spend a great week with other horse riders, horse lovers and lovers of the country lifestyle. And don’t forget to come and say hello” – Leigh Warren.

When: Saturday 12 May – Saturday 19 May 2012

Why: The purpose of the trail ride is to raise much needed funds, which are vital to the continuation of important research into causes and cures of this disgusting debilitating disease called cancer.

Where: Three Waters “High Country” Holiday Farm and surrounding district

Three Waters is a 1200 acre horse orientated property situated at 1150 meters altitude on the lower slopes of Bullock Mountain (1175 meters).

Every day will see the riders going into a different area of the magnificent surrounding country side. Traversing, creeks rivers, forests, bush and historic old mine areas as they go. The distance of each days ride will be approximately 25 to 30 kilometers.

This is the country of the wild New England Ranges. Country that few people, other than the landowners and stockmen, would ever see.

RESEARCH IS THE ANSWER – FUNDING IS THE KEY

The purpose of this ride is to raise much needed funds for cancer research and the method of raising funds will be by sponsorship and what the organisers require, is for each rider to raise $200 (or thereabouts) in sponsorship. That is say, $20 from ten sponsors.

BOOKINGS

If you are interested, you can book in by contacting Marshall Fittler on 02 66 244879 - mobile 041 1840 799, or Laurie Cooper on 02 66 295453 – mobile 0429 626912 – you can email us at crackincancer@hotmail.com – For powered sites and cabins, You phone Steve Langley or Kerry Byrne, Three Waters high Country Holliday Farm on 02 67 324863 or mobile 0417452649 or email

RIDE PAYMENT and SPONSORSHIP MONEY

Cancer Council of NSW

All cheques and money orders to be made out to Cancer Council New South Wales (marked with name of trail rider, for identification purposes) and posted to: Crackin’ Cancer, C/O Cancer Council NSW, PO Box 531, Alstonville NSW 2477. All sponsor cash to be sent with, sponsor sheet, via ONE money order (marked with the name of trail rider. This needs to be done for identification purposes)

Leigh Warren - Country Music Outlaw

Hopefully I will see you there… till next time – Leigh

Leigh Warren :: Country Music Outlaw

The ramblings of Leigh Warren about himself, country music and maybe… well who knows