There’s plenty of excitement in the Riverina this week. Photo: Visit NSW.
No matter what you’re looking for this week, we’ve found something for you and your family to engage in, from rodeos to community events, stand-up shows, musicals, sport, book talks, stunt shows and more.
The Wagga Pro Rodeo is bringing more than enough excitement, with all the classic stockmanship events, as well as entertainment, delicious food and a bar.
Freestyle Kings LIVE World Tour comes to Griffith, promising the best show on two wheels, with front flips, backflips and gravity-defying BMX stunts.
Check out all this and a whole lot more in this week’s guide to all the best things to get up to in the coming days.
Multiple Days
Pick up your next read or two at the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Photo: Visit NSW.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
When: 20 February from 4 to 6 pm and 21 February from 9 am to noon
Where: Children’s Area, Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis St, Wagga
Cost: Free entry.
This sale at the Wagga Wagga Library is giving bookish members of the public the chance to snag some of the library’s donated or retired items, with savings to be had all round.
There will be plenty of adult fiction, non-fiction, kids books, young adult novels, health, DIY, history and everything in between. Adult books will cost $3, children’s books just $2 or attendees can fill a bag for just $20. This final option includes a free Friends of the Library bag.
All proceeds go to the Wagga Wagga Friends of the Library, a group of active citizens who provide support to the library through programs and services such as the One Book One Wagga program, the Language Cafe, presentations and author talks.
Friday
Catch the thrills and incredible displays of stockmanship at the Wagga Rodeo. Photo: Wagga Pro Rodeo Facebook.
Wagga Pro Rodeo
When: 20 February, 4 to 9:30 pm
Where: Equex Centre, 150 Copland Street, East Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $20 to $35 | Children under five enter free | Book online.
The Wagga Pro Rodeo promises one of the most exciting shows of stockmanship you’ll ever see, with plenty of excitement, thrills and spills. There will also be a bar on the night, food, and entertainment from Big Al the comedy clown.
Don’t miss out on this genuine display of skill on horseback.
One of Australia’s best-loved comedians comes to Wagga. Image: Visit NSW.
Akmal Live at the CSU Riverina Playhouse
When: 20 February, 8 pm
Where: CSU Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross Street, Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $36.3 to $56.9 | Book online.
Famous across the nation for his quick wit and stream-of-consciousness style, Akmal is returning to theatres around the country with his smash-hit tour, promising more laughs than ever before.
Featured across stand-up, sketch comedy, film, TV, radio, as well as talk shows and even as a published author, Akmal is a man of many talents, all of which revolve around making his audience laugh.
From off-the-cuff lines that will stay with you for the rest of the week, to finely rehearsed and tuned jokes, Akmal is bringing it all to the Riverina Playhouse this Friday. Don’t miss out.
Sunday
Test yourself or just have some fun at The Rock Triathlon. Photo: Visit NSW.
The Rock Triathlon
When: 22 February
Where: The Rock Recreation Ground, Wilson Street, The Rock
Cost: Prices may vary | Register online for more information.
The Rock Triathlon, a part of the Riverina Tri-Series, is open to all ages and fitness levels and includes a sprint event, enticer event, walkathon, as well as junior and sub-junior races.
Teams are welcome, so get out and about as an individual or with some mates and enjoy some of the Riverina’s beautiful weather and scenery. Events will start at The Rock Recreation Ground.
All entries must be made online; entrants can also sign up on the day.
Thrills and excitement await at the EW Moore Oval. Photo: Freestyle Kings LIVE World Tour, TEG Sport.
Freestyle Kings LIVE World Tour – Griffith
When: 22 February, 3 pm
Where: EW Moore Oval, 2245 Coolah Street, Griffith
Cost: Tickets from $60.15 | Book online.
The Freestyle Kings Live World Tour brings spectacle to new heights, with action sports legends such as Robbie Maddison, his sons Kruz and Jagger, FMX world champions Clinton Moore, Pat Bowden and X Games gold medalist Robbie Adelberg putting on a show to remember.
If you want excitement this weekend, book now for front flips, double backflips and gravity-challenging BMX stunts sure to excite. This is the best show on two wheels, with two full hours of amazing tricks, along with fire artists, pyrotechnics and music.
Tuesday
Head to the Albury LibraryMuseum to hear stories from locals who make a difference to their community. Image: Albury City Council.
Stories That Bind Us at the LibraryMuseum
When: 24 February, 5:30 to 7 pm
Where: LibraryMuseum, corner of Kiewa and Swift streets, Albury
Cost: Free | Reserve spot online.
The Journey podcast has been sharing untold stories of Albury’s citizens for a decade, documenting their stories to find out what makes the region such a welcoming place to call home. Stories from quiet achievers, town legends and builders of community have helped the region understand who they are and in this event, BMG Partners invites locals to come experience the Stories That Bind Us.
Attendees will listen to three locals who have had a real impact, including Michelle Hensel, a cancer survivor and chair of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust fund, who has turned her story of loss into hope by leading efforts to raise money for regional families to access care close to home.
Also speaking will be Wassim Saliba, a Lebanese-Australian who has built successful hospitality businesses across the region and built deep community connections.
And finally, Guru Ghuman, an Indian-Australian who has become one of the area’s most beloved community figures.
There will be complimentary wine and canapes provided.
Wednesday
Tim Ayliffe launches his latest thriller in the John Bailey series of novels. Image: Wagga Wagga City Library Facebook.
Author Talk: Tim Ayliffe – ‘Dark Desert Road’
When: 25 February, 6 pm
Where: Children’s Area, Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis St, Wagga
Cost: Free | Book online.
Author Tim Ayliffe launches his latest thriller in the John Bailey series of novels.
In Dark Desert Road, protagonist Kit McCarthy hasn’t seen her twin sister in more than a decade. A police officer, she resents her sister following their father into a life of crime. Kit is ordered to take time off from work following an accusation that she has used excessive force in arresting a drunk, when she receives a panicked message from her sister, saying someone is trying to kill her. Then her sister disappears.
Tim Ayliffe’s novels are informed by a quarter century in journalism and his pivot to the world of writing has been a great success, with novels such as The Greater Good, State of Fear, The Enemy Within, Killer Traitor Spy and The Wrong Man making waves in the thriller scene.
Thursday
BANJO tells a unique story. Image: Albury Entertainment Centre.
BANJO – The Musical at the Albury Entertainment Centre
When: 26 February, 7:30 pm
Where: Albury Entertainment Centre, 525 Swift St, Albury
Cost: Tickets from $45 to $55 | Book online.
Painting a unique portrait of pre-Federation Australia and one of its most famous sons, BANJO is a unique musical show as well as an artistic interpretation of the life of Banjo Paterson.
Through a difficult life in rural Australia in the late 19th century, to his time as a lawyer and writer in the streets of Sydney as well as his bitter return to the countryside, BANJO follows one man’s journey to understand Australia.
Weaving the poetry of Paterson with contemporary dance and popular music from the band Coldplay, BANJO tells a unique story in an unflinching, extraordinary way.
