Friday night glowed with warmth and connection as Burnett Catchment Care Association (BCCA) hosted the headline event for their Sharing Models of Successful Groups project— “Friday Arvo with Sam and Blake.”
Held at the Monto Showgrounds, the casual afternoon brought together almost 100 Burnett locals for a relaxed and inspiring evening featuring billy tea, damper, live country music from local favourite Blake Benecke, and a keynote address from Sam Fryer, known for his rural podcast “A Place to Call Home.”
Sam’s engaging talk focused on the importance of community resilience and the power of peer connection—a timely message for producers navigating challenges in agriculture and regional living. The event highlighted how vital strong community networks are when it comes to facing adversity such as drought.
The evening featured plenty of laughter and friendly rivalry, with a Tug-of-War rematch between the Monto Graziers and the Monto Growers Group adding to the fun. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with great food, great tunes and even greater conversations around shared experiences in farming life.
This event marked the conclusion of BCCA’s Sharing Models of Successful Groups project, proudly supported by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. The initiative aimed to increase access to networking opportunities focused on drought preparedness, fostering stronger social ties and a sense of shared purpose across the Burnett region.
A big thank you to Blake Benecke for providing the soundtrack to the evening and to Sam Fryer for his authentic storytelling and role as MC. It was truly an event that brought heart to the paddock.
