While the international brick and rolling pin throwing competition may be waning in the sister countries of England, Canada and the United States, it will never die in Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The little village of Stroud held their 54th event on Saturday with committee president Karen Hutchinson saying it was the best ever.
The first contest, with brickthrowing only, was held in 1960 between Stroud in the United States and Stroud, England, when it was discovered that both towns had brickworks in common.
In 1961, having realised the existence of two other Strouds in Canada and Australia, the contest involved the four countries.
At the suggestion of Australia’s Stroud, it was decided to introduce a rolling pin throwing contest for the women in 1962, while the men were throwing the bricks.
Saturday’s event began with a street parade from the centre of town to the showground where the event was held.
With a theme of Out of Africa, the array of floats was unbelievable according to Ms Hutchinson.
“It was even bigger than the 50th anniversary event four years ago,” she said.
“The effort they put into the parade was phenomenal and the United Ford Club want to be an ongoing part of the event.
“We are only a small committee, there is only 10 of us, but volunteers come out of the woodwork to help on the day.
“To have a successful event fine weather, a fantastic committee and a great community are three of the main ingredients.”
The date of the event was changed this year from the third Saturday in July to the middle Saturday of the July school holidays.
“We thought it would work better this way and this will be the time it is held every year,” Ms Hutchinson said.
“There was a really large crowd this year, even bigger than the 50th anniversary and it was a unbelievable, fantastic, fun day.
“It’s going to be really hard to top it next year.”
For a slideshow of photos from the parade visit http://www.dungogchronicle.com.au/story/2397959/stroud-brick-and-rolling-pin-throwing-competition-photos/?cs=2950