Nutbush City Limits Dance World Record attempt sees NSW defeat QLD in State of Origin-like sequel
Forget the footy, today the ultimate State of Origin battle took place as the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash took home the World Record for the Largest Nutbush Dance from its Queensland counterpart – the Birdsville Big Red Bash.
With a record crowd of more than 12,000 festival goers, Saturday saw more than half of the fun-loving Mundi Mundi Bash crowd turn up to break the record and support the important work of Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
A total of 6,594 excited festivalgoers side-stepped in-sync to the 50-year-old Tina Turner classic hit to take home the world record bragging rights from Queensland. Earlier in the week (August 16) was the 50th anniversary of the iconic Nutbush hit first being released in 1973.
The previous world record of 5,838 dancers was set last month at sister festival, the Birdsville Big Red Bash – with footage from the outback feat making headlines around the globe.
“We’re stoked to set another record. The Big Red Bash will have something to chase next year, and hopefully we can keep the chase going between the two states for many years to come. And the best part is the more participants we get, the more money we raise for the RFDS,” said Steve Donovan, Operations Manager for the Outback Music Festival Group (OMFG).
In addition to great activities, over the three days attendees were treated to performances from Icehouse, The Angels, Human Nature, Kate Ceberano, Pete Murray, Wendy Matthews and the Hoodoo Gurus.
Kate Ceberano was a busy performer over the three days, not only giving a solo performance on Friday but also featuring in the Tina Turner tribute and Taylor Swift sets. The four-time ARIA winner and member of the Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame is also a big fan of the RFDS and its work providing care to outback Australia.
“Over the years, I’ve had a good fortune to have performed for fundraisers for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and always consider it to be a great privilege. I think what they do is essential and it is worth supporting and I’m so glad that they made as much money as they did at this particular fundraiser. It was not only great fun, but everyone dug deep and were very generous, and I know it will be put to good use," Ms Ceberano said.
Australian rock fan and Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section CEO Greg Sam said the organisation was proud to be the official charity partner of the Bash.
“We’re so grateful to OMFG and everybody at the Mundi Mundi Bash for coming together to set a new world record for the Nutbush. It is an amazing effort; not only does it put the Mundi Mundi Bash and the RFDS in the record books, but it is also a great fundraising boost for the RFDS when it comes to delivering critical healthcare in the bush. On behalf of rural communities, I would like to thank everyone for their effort,” Mr Sam said.
“We’re delighted to be the official charity partner of the Mundi Mundi Bash for the third consecutive year. The Bash has become an iconic outback event and we are an iconic outback charity that has been helping remote communities for the last 95 years.
“The Outback Music Festival Group and Mundi Mundi Bash attendees have now raised around $450,000 for the RFDS. For an organisation that receives one-third of its funding from donations, that support is critical to allow us to continue to provide the finest care to the furthest corner."
Greg Sam
“Icehouse and The Angels were my first name bands I saw play live so the lineup for Mundi Mundi has brought back some great memories," Mr Sam said.
359 Mad Max fancy-dressed revellers also gathered together on the festival site, where many iconic scenes from the Max Mad movie franchise were filmed, provided the ideal Thunderdome-style backdrop for rows upon rows of wild and wacky Mad Max-inspired costumes from leather thigh-highs to heavy chains, spiky mohawks and industrial face masks.
With each boot-scooter paying a $15 registration fee to dance in the event, the total money raised today from the Nutbush alone for the RFDS clocked in at over $100,000.
The Mundi Undi Run was filled to capacity with 1,500 enthusiastic participants displaying some impressive costumes and undies along the 1-kilometre course. This raised $25 per person for an additional $37,500.
Raffle tickets and other donations from the generous crowd on the ground are yet to be added to this impressive tally.
More than 12,000 festival-goers of all ages have attended the Mundi Mundi Bash.
The Mundi Mundi Bash is expected to deliver a welcome economic boost to Broken Hill and surrounding regions. The Broken Hill City Council reported that the inaugural Mundi Mundi Bash brought $3.5 million into Broken Hill in April 2022 alone, putting the festival well on track to exceed its forecast visitor expenditure targets of $5.4 million over three years.
