The B&S Phenomenon!
B&S balls, The real country party!
B&S stands for Bachelor and Spinster Ball.
Circle Workin', Rum Scullin', Beer Drinkin', Piss Cuttin', Run a muck, Give a Buck, Fat Crackin', Ute Stakin', Whip Crackin', Tail Gaitin', Tree Hittin', Give a Bit, Give 'er Shit, Have a Hoot, Loose ya Boot, Hit the Floor, Get a Score, Loose ya Swag, Be a Dag, Hangover Plus, Work ya Bus, Bonnet Surfin', Ute Workin'...Legends.
Yep, that'd about cover it. Rum, utes, country bucks and chicks and circle work, depending on how bad the
fun busters are at your B&S.
B&S Balls are aimed at single blokes and shielas. Why? because they make the
ultimate bloke or chick outing!
If you've never been to one then people will call you a B&S virgin!
When at the B&S you should tell everyone you're a B&S virgin
and everyone will give you presents!
The humble B&S is a strange phenomenon that has been around for decades
and it never ceases to amaze me how popular they still are.
Today I think it would be better to describe the B&S more as a social circus.
For at a B&S you get all types of people. You get Ag College students, Shearer's,
UNI students, jackaroos, jillaroos, try hards, city people bushie wannabees,
idiots, mechanics, legends, ute fanatics, pommies, locals, interstate Mexicans,
musicians, cowboys, cowgirls, stock hands and many others. I think a B&S was the
biggest eye opening experience I ever had, for during that short period of time
you can learn more in life experiences than someone might discover in a year.
They are therefore more that just a redneck get together.
There is nothing the same
as the Aussie B&S anywhere in the world, and I think we should be proud of that.
They are now an Australian icon, they are part of our truly individual identity
as a country and for that reason I think we should try and keep them going as long
as we can. They have been dying out and that's no joke, and the reason this is
happening is that people such as the police and others who don't fully understand
the culture are imposing unrealistic restrictions on the organizers of these events.
In most cases, Police are too heavy handed in their patrolling and how they
conduct themselves at a B&S or just outside it. I don't think you should be allowed
to drink drive, and I don't condone underage drinking. But B&S committees have strict restrictions in place to make sure these illegal practices don't happen.
I think it would be much more suitable if the police were allowed to patrol
outside the agreed parameter of a B&S instead of coming ever into a B&S site unless
they have been requested to enter by the organizers.
On the issue of circle work, I think it is an essential part of a proper
B&S and for that reason I think that organizers of B&S's should sanction off an area
away from buildings where they can have regulated circle work. I know myself that when
you go to a B&S with no circle work it is like getting half a present from someone.
Nowadays however more and more ute shows and musters are on,
which will probably soon out number the humble B&S and become its future.
A few reasons why we should keep B&S's: They are a great way to catch up
with friends and meet new people. Which is essential for most out West, who only
make contact with others when they get time off once a month or whatever from work.
B&S's also support many small country towns and charities. The money that
B&S's raise go to the surrounding communities to help them out. So
support the Aussie B&S as they might not be around forever.
