What was planned as a short-term fundraiser has defied the pandemic and continues to raise money for Dementia Australia surpassing $100,000.
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The Back Block Bards from Booligal have used their knack for bush poetry to raise an exceptional amount for dementia research.
Since launching their book in 2018, the graziers have continued to ride the wave of momentum that has exceeded their expectations.
"The support we've been shown has blown us away," Allan Vagg said.
"We expected this to be a short-lived thing but it's still going.
"It definitely took on a life of its own."
They had planned to take their live performances around NSW and visit every one-pub town in the region.
"That was our pipe dream, anyway," he said.
COVID-19 restrictions quickly hosed down any plans for live touring, so they pivoted and released a CD and live streamed some yarns online.
"The CD was always something we had planned to do but not being able to have live performances motivated us to release it sooner," he said.
The CD is recorded from a live performance the group performed and runs for approximately an hour.
"Our poetry is mainly humorous, but there is definitely some poignant and emotional stuff on there too," he said.
Such has been their impact; Dementia Australia has named the 'Back Block Bard research project' after them in recognition of their fundraising efforts.
The project will be focusing on how the brain's Cognitive Reserves may hold the key to finding a delay in dementia onset.
Visit the Back Block Bards website for more information
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