A fundraiser to raise money for mental health support is returning to Nerriga – along with some teams from the inaugural event (pictured above) in 2023. Photo: Sarah Smith.
Publicans often make good listeners, but one is calling on her community to start a conversation this August.
Sarah Smith and her husband, Phil, own the Nerriga Hotel in southeast NSW.
The pair first organised a Camp Oven Cook Off last year after their village of Nerriga, about 50 km north of Braidwood, was caught in a triple whammy of life-altering circumstances.
“This event was so long in the making – I think my husband first started talking about it with a few locals back in 2019, before the fires,” Ms Smith said.
“Back then, it was something that we were thinking about. The drought was a struggle for a lot of people.
“But on the back of that, the fires came and then, on the back of that, COVID came.”
The community rallied in the Camp Cook Off, which would raise over $14,000 for the Black Dog Institute and be awarded an Australia Day Award for Community Event of the Year from Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
While the public enjoyed live music, a raffle and an auction, the teams went head-to-head to cook something special.
“The team that won got to have bragging rights for 12 months, so that’s pretty serious business,” Ms Smith said.
The fundraiser will return on 24 August to raise more money for the Black Dog Institute.
Of the eight teams from 2023, several cooks are expected to head back into the kitchen (or rather, back to the fire) when the fundraiser returns.
“I’m still finalising, but it looks like we’re going to have 11 teams,” she said.
“They’ve all been getting together with their friends and practising their dish that they’re going to cook on 24 August. The excitement is building!”
Just like last year, Ms Smith said there would be a raffle and auction with prizes donated by local businesses.
“We never anticipated last year that the outcome would be so wonderful,” she said.
“We’re hoping we’ll do as well this year, but whatever the amount raised is, it will still be funds that are going towards a good cause, and it will still be a fun day for everybody.”
Applications to join the cooking teams have closed, but people can become involved by attending the fundraiser or volunteering on the day.
“The main thing is really that it’s a community effort,” she said.
“It’s thanks to the community that we’re able to host the event.”
Ms Smith said the Camp Oven Cook Off was organised to create an environment where people felt safe opening up through an honest chat with their mates – and their community.
“When you’re with your friends around the fire, you often talk about the good times and all that,” she said.
“But sometimes it’s not going so well, so you open up and share what bothers you and connect with the people around the fire.”
The Camp Oven Cook Off will be held from 11 am on 24 August at Nerriga Hotel, 6124 Nerriga Road, Nerriga.
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase from the Nerriga Hotel in the coming weeks, while those interested in volunteering, or in donating items for the raffle or auction can email [email protected].
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or Kids Helpline
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 or MensLine.
In a life-threatening emergency, call triple zero.
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