The 2010 Molly’s Bash will be going ahead at Old Andado May 8th 2010. We will be having a working bee from May 5 – 7 2010, if you are interested in helping, get a copy of what jobs need doing and what else you could help with by emailing Meegan Sullivan at workingbee@oldandado.com
About Molly’s Bash In 1990 Molly Clark had a vision for the recognition of the women who were in the outback working alongside the men and those who ran the homesteads and cared for and looked after the men working on the property. She also wanted recognition for women who were the first in their field or time – the first female pilot and doctor for example. She had dreamed of the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame.
Her dream was realized and the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame was launched at Old Andado in May 1993. The event was called ‘Molly’s Bash’ and the name remains today.
Ian McNamara from ABC Radio’s ‘Australia All Over’ broadcast live from Old Andado that day and the place was alive with people. Around 300 attended the first bash with all of the proceeds going to the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame. The entertainment was well known country band Bloodwood and Ted Egan who played his Fosters beer carton. There was food and drinks for everyone and it was a big success.
The next really big bash was in May 2000 for the ‘Year of the Outback’ where a few hundred camped at Old Andado.
2008 saw the very first bash organized by the Friends of Old Andado (FOA) and it was attended by around 120 people from as far as Ceduna and Cairns. We were greatly assisted by local businesses, people and organizations whose support enabled FOA to make some funds that has resulted in this very website.
A BIG THANKYOU goes out to:
- Entertainment: Fiona O’Loughlin Bulldust Entertainment
- Food & Supplies: Mt Dare Pub Centre Fruit & Veg Charbray Meats Mad Harry’s
- Man power & assistance for Bulldust Entertainment: Rotary Club of Stuart
- Printing of tickets – Asprint
- Selling of tickets – Dymocks & Swank Shoes
- Raffle Prizes: Great Southern Rail Exotiq The Lane Swank Shoes Rachel McLeod
The bashes have been happening yearly but as the organization of such an event so far out of Alice Springs can be complicated, numbers have waned. The Friends of Old Andado Inc. aim to fire up the interest for the bashes by having varied entertainment and making them a family friendly event for those with children also. We envisage holding in town events in the future as well as events at Old Andado.
If you or someone you know could be of assistance with the next event please contact us. We would be very grateful for any assistance you could offer.