Tourism companies in remote west Queensland are hoping a small outback wedding will be the start of a large program of events returning to the outback in 2021.

Important points:

  • After several postponements due to COVID-19, Anne-Marie Donovan and Darryl “Digger” Burley eventually married in Birdsville
  • The couple have a personal connection with the small outback town after meeting there for the first time eight years ago
  • Outback tourism operators are hoping for a big tourist season after major events across the region were canceled in 2020

Returning to Birdsville to tie the knot wasn’t what newlyweds Anne-Marie Donovan and Darryl “Digger” Burley originally had in mind for their special day.

After the Toowoomba couple postponed their wedding several times due to coronavirus restrictions and border closings, they loaded up their four-wheel drive and headed west to tie the knot at the iconic Birdsville Hotel.

The happy couple is sitting in the public bar of the Birdsville Hotel after getting married shortly before. (ABC Western Queensland: Craig Fitzsimmons)

The town on the edge of the Simpson Desert is a special place for the lovebirds who met there eight years ago.

An outback love story

Digger, a helicopter engineer with the Australian Army by day and a die-hard warrior with the Fred Brophy Boxing Troupe by night, believed he had seen it all.

That was until Anne-Marie looked at him.

“She headlocked me that first night after lecturing me about not harming the boys I was fighting,” said Digger.

Anne-Marie came in to swing for Digger after seeing him with Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe (ABC Western Queensland: Craig Fitzsimmons)

“The following year [we met again and after] We had a drink that evening, we were hardly separated for the rest of the weekend. “

Fast forward to 2018, Digger fell to one knee and their commercial became an engagement at the point where they first met.

A wedding was planned at the winery with all of her friends and family, but the COVID-19 pandemic meant all plans had to be put on hold.

Finally, the date of February 26, 2021 was set.

Lock-lockdowns broke out across the country earlier in the year, threatening to end their special day until the idea of ​​returning to Birdsville cropped up.

A wedding party of six made the trip from Bundaberg and South Gippsland, but the couple’s five adult children were unable to attend.

The hard decision had been made that if you couldn’t do it, no one could.

“Our children were the most important ones who gave their blessings, they are all so excited, it was a ‘yes, you do it’ and it was perfect,” said Anne-Marie.

A wedding couple hugs the front of the Birdsville Hotel. A cool summer day made for the “perfect” wedding day when the almost full moon rose over the horizon. (ABC Western Queensland: Craig Fitzsimmons)

“It was worth the wait, I never thought that day would come, but it is. It feels fantastic.

“When I first saw him, I can’t describe it. I knew immediately that there was something special.”

Locals missed the social side of events in 2020

Ben Fullagar runs the 137-year-old weathered sandstone pub and took the opportunity to host the wedding and meet old friends after missing out on something in 2020.

A customs officer serving a beer. Ben Fullagar is hoping for a big return of tourists in 2021 after major events were canceled in 2020. (ABC Western Queensland: Craig Fitzsimmons)

“We usually have the same crew who come to the events every year and they catch up every year, so we really missed that social aspect last year too.”

Birdsville normally only has 115 residents, but that swells to over 10,000 at major events like the Big Red Bash and the Birdsville Races.

The city’s bakery did not open in 2020 and is currently looking for a baker.

The Birdsville Hotel now operates the bakery and Mr. Fullagar will be opening the store in time for an anticipated tourist season.

“Absolutely, yes, no doubt they will be fed when they get through, and if there is no baker we just have to work extra hard and do it ourselves.”

Birdsville Bakery in far southwest Queensland. The Birdsville Bakery is slated to reopen in 2021. (ABC News: Josh Bavas)

The return of great crowds and great events

Major events across the outback were canceled last year, so the organizers with COVID-19 security plans are doing everything they can to be operational again in 2021.

A lot in a dusty horse race. Organizers look forward to large crowds returning for events like the Birdsville Races and Big Red Bash. (Supplied: Diamantina Shire Council)

For the first time in the event’s 139-year history, tickets to the Birdsville Races are only available prior to purchase. Earlier this week, the Big Red Bash had its COVID-19 safety plan approved by the state government.

Stephen Schwer, the Diamantina Shire Council’s sustainability manager, said it was going to be a great time but asked for patience as there were some restrictions with so many people walking around town.

“From the council’s point of view, we had to do a lot of things to make sure we were prepared and to improve the cleaning of our public toilets in our tourist park and in all these areas,” he said.