Successful trial event hailed a success for outback town of Wilcannia

On Monday 12 August, the town of Wilcannia welcomed travellers making their way to the Mundi Mundi Bash with an inaugural event Monday B4 Mundi.

Event organiser Baaka Cultural and Art Centre Operations Manager, Gail Russell said the town was bustling with tourists in 4WDs towing caravans and campervans, and the lineup went for kilometres over the bridge and down the highway.

“It’s truly a sight to be seen, and with so many travellers passing through town, I saw an opportunity to not only promote our town but also the Baaka Cultural and Art Centre, which is currently under construction,” she said.

“The aim of the event was a mini test, to offer the thousands of tourists a taste of Wilcannia. For those who ventured through the 1km traffic queue for fuel, they were delighted to find and sample first-class bush tucker and meet with local artists.

“Many tourists were pleasantly surprised by the stopover and promised they would be back to spend more time in our lovely little town.”

The Monday B4 Mundi event offered weary travellers a bush tucker degustation lunch featuring local fish tacos, saltbush-fed lamb kebabs, kangaroo stir fry, emu meatballs, roo burgers, finished off by damper with wattle-seed whipped cream, as well as market stalls and a chance to meet local artists.

Supporting the Monday B4 Mundi event was Destination Country and Outback NSW General Manager, Lucy White.

Lucy congratulated the team and said she was excited and impressed by the progress/status of the Baaka Cultural and Art Centre, and the buzz in the park and the community was so palpable.

“We can't wait to see the final product as this building and its presence will have an immeasurably positive impact on the Central Darling Shire economy, but importantly it will stand as a proud showcase of the local culture, arts, First Nations stories and a true celebration of the world's oldest living culture,” she said.

 “Its location in Wilcannia will enable visitors to stop, stay, spend money and  deliver meaningful benefits to Aboriginal communities, tourism operators and businesses in the region.”

Ms Russell said all funds raised from the Monday B4 Mundi event would go towards the operations of the Baaka Cultural and Art Centre and preparations were already underway for the 2025 event.

“Event organisers of the Mundi Mundi Bash have indicated their intention to include Wilcannia, the Monday B4 Mundi and the Baaka Cultural and Art Centre as a shoulder event in 2025 so it will become part of their travel itinerary promotions,” she said.

Images are attached for reference.