The Pink Pigeon festival will once again take flight this year to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
From pink sheep to pink pigeons, a golf tournament and twilight bowls the community is encouraged to come together and support the breast cancer foundation.
Trangie’s pigeon whisperer and event organiser Shane Dolton is counting down the days until the festival begins and said the event, now in its ninth year, has raised thousands for the McGrath Foundation.
“We’ve raised well over $150,000 since we started nine years ago,” Mr Dolton said.
This year, despite the drought, Mr Dolton is still confident the festival will help raise money for a third breast care nurse in Dubbo.
“I always go into these things, and it’s the same with the guys who give me the sheep and help me with the birds, I go in with the attitude that if you make $1 that’s $1 they never had,” Mr Dolton said.
“And in these dry times you can’t put a figure on what you’re going to make, so every dollar we make we’re happy with,” he said.
The festival takes off on Sunday, December 9, with the Pink Pigeon three man ambrose golf tournament and Calcutta, auctioning off the 12 racing pigeons named after channel 7 cricket commentators.
“Fifty per cent of prize money goes to the McGrath Foundation for breast care nurses and the rest of the money goes to the winner.
“Then we have a really good golf day, which is great.”
On Monday, December 10, seven pink sheep will be auctioned in the charity sheep sale at the Dubbo sale yards.
The major event highlight is the Pink Pigeon race day, which coincides with Sydney’s Pink Test match on January 5.
“The birds are released at Dundas park in Narromine where Glenn McGrath played his junior cricket, and they race back to my home here in Trangie and the people that have purchased the pigeons are waiting in the yard.”
The race day is then followed by a twilight bowls evening at Trangie.
Last year’s race was taken out by Michael Slater who was a hot tip, however Mr Dolton said it’s any pigeons race.
Mr Dolton thanked the Narromine, Trangie and Dubbo communities for their support over the nine years and encourages everyone to come along to the gold day and Calcutta.
“It’s fierce bidding at the golf club. That golf Calcutta night is a really good night.”
“I know it’s tough times but if anyone would like to put their hand in their pocket a little deeper it’s for a great cause.”