Louth

Julie:

Those who call Louth (Map) their village come from up to 150km around the town. Most of them gathered for their Christmas Tree on Saturday night on the lawns next to the Louth pub on the banks of the Darling River. The kids were there from Louth school as well as quite a number of others who do school of the air, and those home from boarding school. Louth is 130km from Cobar along a very bad dirt road so when the kids finish primary school they have to go away or do home schooling.

Santa arrived on the back of the fire truck and after the present giving everyone enjoyed the dishes that many had contributed for dinner.

The only slight hitch to the night was that somehow the message that I was coming had become confused with another that had me singing Christmas carols! Fortunately they didn't make me go through with it.

Louth is well known for its annual race meeting but the community demonstrated that it has many skills and talents in other areas as well.