Two master horsemen were presented with life memberships of the Barellan Working Clydesdales at the official opening of the Good Old Days Festival.

Committee president Bruce Bandy presented life membership certificates to Ian Dahlenburg, Murrami, and Tim Peel, Borambola.

Mr Peel is a master horseman, bullock driver, black smith and harness maker. He has been actively involved from the festival’s beginnings and has acted as ring master, judging of the Teamsters Trophy, mentoring other teamsters, commentating and taking part in the wheel retyring demonstrations.

His legacy is the Tim Peel Cup, an encouragement award for young teamsters aged under 30 years to ensure there is a succession plan for the working horse, bullock, camel, donkey and mule teams.

His knowledge of the teamsters, their skills, equipment, harness and training techniques is unsurpassed, and he regularly contributes written information to the festival’s digital platforms.

“In the early days whenever we had a bit of a hurdle, we would ring Tim and he would set us straight – he has been in the horse and show business all his life and we are very thankful for his guidance,” Mr Bandy said.

He described Ian Dahlenburg as an inspiration for all the committee members and Ian complimented the committee on educating the future generation on our nation’s history.

Mr Dahlenburg made available his historic 10 tonne James Bennett built waggon for not only the record 62 heavy horse team in 2025 but each for the Barellan Working Clydesdales horse team to use at the Festival.

“Ian has been a very strong supporter of us right from the start and this life membership is well earnt,” Mr Bandy said.

Tim Peel first attended the event in 2010 and watched the small street parade, visiting again the following year.

“For people coming here today, they are seeing something unique in the world with all the different species of draught animals. There are horses, bullocks, camels, mules, donkeys and goats all putting on a great display every year.

“People coming from all over the country and world-wide. It wasn’t only the Clydesdales that opened this country – it was the Percherons, Shires, Suffolk Punch, and Australian Draughts.”