HISTORY OF THE EVENT

The event began in 1994 with a small number of sections and contestants at Jondaryan Woolshed.

In 1996 Garden City Country Music Club (Toowoomba) was approached to help with the running of the competition. By this stage Bush Poetry, Line Dancing and Country Music were contested.

Entries gradually increased as the years progressed – with 2004 attracting 275.  With the interest in Line dancing dwindling this part of the competition was dropped in 2001 and the Poetry performing section ceased in 2002.

2012 has brought a change of venue from Jondaryan Woolshed to Oakey Cultural Centre.

There are two unique parts to “The Rush”

• Variety Act (no other festival has this section) – each contestant performs two songs (one Australian song and any other country song) instead of one
• Overall Trophy – each year is a wooden trophy is hand carved by Graham Turner
• previous trophies have been – Stockman and dog, Wedgetail Eagle, Bullrider, Stockman and saddle, Swaggie, Fencer, Gold Panner – always something that epitomises the Australiana theme.