HE IS the man with the bright happy pants, the crazy hair and the personality to match.
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Justin Vardy has been the MC at the Dirt n Dust Festival for more than a decade, after being roped in one year after the power tripped.
“We had to yell out to everyone in the dark to try and keep them updated and interested. I have a big loud voice, so it fell to me to keep everyone from calling it a night and going back to camp until we could get the power on again,” Vardy said.
About being involved with the festival for 17 years, 15 as compere, Vardy says he has the best gig for the weekend and being able to work with guests over the years such as a Scotty Hillier, of Creek to Coast, Singer Songwriter Lee Kernaghan and ABC radio’s Saturday Night Country host John Nutting, who wouldn’t?
“Cricket great Merv Hughes was definitely one of the funniest ones – he was cheeky enough to think he could touch the entrants in Australia’s Best Butt; but you know, I don’t think too many of the ladies minded,’’ he said.
“But my favourite part of the weekend by far is calling the triathlon. We ask all of our triathletes to tell us a little bit about themselves so that we can personalise the run and last year I had the best position in the house to proudly cheer on my wife Nicci as she finished her first ever tri.
“I also love cheering on my two eldest daughters Molly and Georgia in the junior triathlon.”
While he makes three days of compering look like easy work, Vardy says there’s quite a bit involved particularly having to be on the ball all the time and know what’s coming up next.
“Of course, things don’t always go quite to plan so I need to be able to change direction quickly if needed or fill gaps if we’re waiting for an artist to take the stage. Our sponsors get a lot of extra reads when I’m filling gaps, it’s also a good chance for me to get the crowd involved.”
His comical outfits, all sewn by Grandma, does make communicating a lot easier for him.
“It’s all part of my Dirt n Dust persona. I figure if you look serious, people take you seriously and judge you if you make a mistake – whereas if you look a bit silly, you can be a bit silly and it’s more fun for everyone that way.
‘‘The whole point of the Dirt n Dust Festival is for people to get out of town and have a good time – Julia Creek is one of those towns where you feel instantly at ease, you lose your inhibitions a little bit and everyone can just relax and have a good time.”