Great Southern bands to do battle at Newdegate Machinery Field Days

High school students from across WA’s south will compete in a new Battle of the Bands competition at this year’s Newdegate Machinery Field Days. The competition is being organised by Holly McDonald, who has been event music co-ordinator for the past six years. Holly said the idea of an interschool competition came about after a group of students from Albany’s Great Southern Grammar performed at last year’s Field Days. “I had another school (Bunbury Cathedral Grammar) approach me and they said, ‘we would love to come down as well and have our kids compete against other schools in a battle’,” she explained. “Because it’s our 50th year celebration, I thought we would try to make it something special.” Holly said there was already plenty of enthusiasm for the event, with some schools that were unable to make it this year already locked in for next year. “The kids that are coming are all so excited; it’s going to be a really great little show,” she said. “If this goes well, we hope to make it an annual event.” Holly said the Battle of the Bands would take place in front of the pavilion on Wednesday, September 7. Lake Grace pub band Bale Out have kindly lent their own sound equipment including microphones, drums and bass amplifiers for students to use. “It means that instead of travelling with a busload of gear, the kids can just bring their own instruments,” Holly said. “Bale Out will also be participating as guest judges, along with two other judges from Triple M radio. “I’ve been overwhelmed with support from people offering their services; we have impressive sponsorship from Moylan Silos, and Esperance Freight Lines are donating their truck trailer as a stage. “Along with our Battle of the Bands, we also have two other groups performing this year, with the Robinson Bro’s returning and newcomers 3style, which includes Newdegate locals, Josiah, Esther and Naomi Barrett-Lennard.” Volunteering at the Newdegate Machinery Field Days is something of a McDonald family tradition, with Holly’s grandmother Helen having been involved since the first event in 1972. Holly’s dad Ashley served for several years as the event committee president, while her mum Fanny organises the much-loved annual fashion shows. “I was always keen to take on a role with the Field Days, and when dad said we needed someone to organise the musical entertainment I jumped at it,” Holly said. “I had friends that were musos so it worked out well. “We’ve had loads of different people from across the State come down and play; it’s been brilliant.” A farm girl through and through, Holly spent several years working across the Great Southern as a Registered Nurse, as well as an operator for CBH, before returning home. While she still does some community nursing, she now spends most of her time helping out on her parents’ Lake Biddy farm and partner Charlie Newman’s family farm at Newdegate. “Newdegate is home, it’s where I grew up” Holly said. “There’s an incredible sense of community, especially when you’re involved in an event like the Field Days. “We’re all volunteers and everybody works their guts out, and it’s so nice because you’re all working for the same goal, which is to bring this amazing event to our region.”