A NOVEL animal competition is set to breathe new life into the tiny community of Woomelang.
The Woomelang Ferret Frenzy has been tipped to bring hundreds of people into the area, located about an hour west of Swan Hill, which is reaching crisis point after being stripped of its town status in 2011 due to dwindling population numbers.
The competition, which is the brainchild of Woomelang resident Rick Johnston, involves using ferrets to catch tagged rabbits with nets.
The team that bags the most bunnies wins $5000 cash, courtesy of the Woomelang Lions Club.
“It’s creating a lot of interest not only in Woomelang –– we’ve got teams coming up from Gippsland, Ballarat and Geelong,” Mr Johnston said.
“Just keeping our name alive is the biggest hope.”
One competitor is Swan Hill’s Dylan Fox, who is already training the six ferrets he is entering in the frenzy.
“Show them a burrow and they tend to work out themselves. As long as you don’t treat them like babies,” Mr Fox said.
One thing is for sure, the frenzy is something the likes of which Woomelang and surrounds have never seen.
“I’ve never heard of it happening anywhere,” Mr Johnston said.
“As far as we know it is [the only one].
“The whole town’s looking forward to it.”
The Woomelang Ferret Frenzy takes place on Saturday, September 26.
Check the Facebook page for more details.
