Weekend of words

Bush-themed poems and country-inspired performances kept locals and visitors to Naseby entertained during the long weekend, as part of the annual Bards, Ballads, and Bulldust festival.

From Friday evening, the best bush balladeers from New Zealand and Australia congregated in Naseby's various hotels and cafes, to celebrate the village's colourful history of miners, musterers, curlers and other characters.

Local resident Ross "Blue Jeans" McMillan took part, as did other regular performers, including Phil Garland, of Culverden, and Dusty Spittle, of Cromwell.

Australian counterparts Milton Taylor, Suzie Carcary, and Melanie Hall added to the line-up, as did those from Dunedin, Leeston, Nelson, and the Maniototo.

A musterers' breakfast was also part of the programme.