“About Barraba Inc” have been honoured with an Australia Day award for the best Community Event of 2020. About Barraba Inc is a group of Barraba businesspeople who aim to increase the profitability and resilience of the Barraba business community, much like a Chamber of Commerce. Trent Hartwig, proprietor of the hardware business, Barraba Rural Traders, with wife Lanie, is the current President of “About Barraba”. Trent is pleased Barraba’s 2020 Australia Day concert received the recognition.
About Barraba Inc joined with Tamworth Regional Council and the Drought Angels to produce an outstanding country music event at the Barraba Rugby ground on January 26 in 2020. The evening was an important gathering for more than 500 local people after years of heart-breaking drought and was even graced by a spectacular summer rainstorm as it closed. It is rare to see concert goers so delighted to be rained upon.
Trent names an impressive list of sponsors of the event including Andy’s Guesthouse, Barraba IGA, Bingara IGA, the Commercial Hotel, Fresh Selections, the Lions Club Barraba, Middle Harbour school, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Phil DEnyer Mechanical Repairs, Saunders Fruit and Vegetables, Rotary Club Barraba, and the Regional Australia Bank.
Trent says holding the concert was a labour of love for local operators. “We were in the worst drought on record and funding the concert was hard. It wasn’t done to benefit businesses, after all most of us had to shut to run the event. But it was important to us we hold an event for people that was free.” By Jane Harris