GARY the Goat was up to his old tricks during his recent visit to Balranald’s Bidgee Haven Hostel.
It was a show with a twist for the goat, who usually finds himself in the company of pub patrons, along with partner-in-crime nomadic comedian Jimbo Bazoobi.
The infamous pair are touring the country, performing their comedy show in pubs around the nation.
Jimbo and Gary visited the hostel at the end of January after a staff member invited them to their first hostel gig.
“Gary and Jimbo do the pub circuit, but he was booked in to do Homebush Hotel and one of the carers went out there and enjoyed it so much that she invited him to come to the hostel,” co-ordinator Gen McConnell said.
“They had their 15 minutes of fame, they thought it was wonderful…”
“He was excellent, there is not much laughter going around sometimes so it was really nice.”
And the laughs started the moment Gary trotted through the hostel doors, an unusual surprise for staff and residents.
“I think because the goat was so big — we weren’t expecting a shetland pony to walk in.”
In the hour-long show, residents listened to yarns and received balloon animal hats with one trick even going viral online.
In the video, a seemingly innocent Jimbo, with the help of residents Betty Purtill and Ivan Bish, performs a magic trick — with a very unexpected punch line.
So unexpected in fact, that it garnered the attention of a national morning show with Balranald’s residents becoming world-wide sensations.
“They had their 15 minutes of fame, they thought it was wonderful,” Ms McConnell said.
“The residents had family ringing up from… all over the world.”
Not only the residents and staff, but also Jimbo and Gary enjoyed their time at the hostel.
Gen said Jimbo had enjoyed the “great response” from his audience.
And if rumours are true and the way to a goat’s heart is through his stomach, it seems Gary may have enjoyed himself too.
“He pruned the rosebush back, he had a great time — I don’t think the grevilleas will ever be the same again.”
