Station Life column: Outback bash rings in new year as bush knows how to party

If this column doesn’t make a lot of sense, it’s because I am writing it on New Year’s Day after about two hours sleep.

For many years now it has seemed as though some of our community soul has been lost. People are too busy; many have moved on and time just keeps rolling by.

I’m not a party animal but I do enjoy social get-togethers with great company, fabulous food and a few drinks. Therefore, when hubby suggested we host a New Year’s Eve party I agreed, provided everyone pitched in.

Invitations were sent via Facebook. People asked what they could bring, an exploration company topped up our freezer with goodies they couldn’t store over Christmas/new year and a drilling company parked up their rig here and gave us a ham.

People packed swags, campers or tents along with eskies, food and drinks, rolling into our driveway from 4pm onwards.

Our portable chiller was filled with delicious salads and sweets along with bread, eggs, cheese, dips, ice-cream and numerous other goodies people had brought. People caught up with old friends and made new ones. A special couple of friends drove more than 1000km from Dwellingup to see the new year in with us.

Station kids who had never met were soon best friends and played throughout the evening. While it wasn’t a formal dress-up occasion one little girl wore her sparkling red high heels with panache and grace, drawing comparisons with Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

Conversations were serious at times, hilarious at others. The past year was given its pedigree and the new one was warned of the promises it needs to uphold — namely rain for everyone.

An early night for some while others hung on for the midnight chimes of the new year and beyond.

The breakfast recovery began early with tea/coffee, bacon, eggs, sausages, hash browns and toast helping soak up some of the excess from the night before. There were many bleary eyes and sore heads, yet all said they had a great time.

Before long it was time to roll the swags, pull down campers, gather up the empty eskies and make the trek home.

It seems the bush hasn’t forgotten how to party. We just have to make the effort. Happy new year.