The sound of swinging knives and the scent of scorched cane will return to Australia’s Sugar Cane Capital on Saturday, 31 May, as the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships take centre stage at this year’s Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival.
The competition—a true test of strength, technique and endurance—will see men and women from across the region and beyond battle it out in the paddock, vying for thousands in prize money and the coveted title of AHCCC Champion.
Held from 11am to 5pm, with a range of age and skill-based categories, the event is one of the festival’s headline attractions, drawing crowds keen to witness the raw skill behind a trade that shaped generations of the Burdekin’s agricultural workforce.
For veteran competitor John Arrate, it’s a chance to honour the past and the people who built the industry.
“Without those cane-cutters breaking their back and being out in the sun all day, the industry wouldn’t be where it is today,” says Arrate.
“They’re the ones I take my hat off to. We just put on a bit of a display and at the end of the day we go home but those guys pick up the knife again the next day, and the next day, and the next day for six months sometimes.”
A familiar face around the paddock, John Arrate has competed in the championships for several years, even taking out the 55+ title in 2023. But it’s not just on the day that he makes his mark—John helps with cane preparation year-round, and facilitates the symbolic First Fire that kicks off the weekend’s festivities.
“Volunteers are the backbone of everything,” he says. “If you don’t do it, no one else is going to do it.”
This year, the competition takes on extra significance for the Arrate family, as John’s daughter Lily is set to make her debut in the Ladies Novice division.
“Dad’s obviously very passionate about it, so I thought why not give it a try,” she said. “It’s always a fun day… heaps of my family come as well and I think it’s just good to get involved and give it a try.”
The father-daughter duo represent both the heritage and the future of the event—a reminder that while hand cane cutting may belong to a bygone era, its legacy continues to evolve.
The Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival will be held at the Home Hill Showgrounds from 30-31 May. Book your tickets now at: www.sweetdayshotnights.com.au
What: Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships
Where: Home Hill Showgrounds
When: Saturday, 31 May, 11am-5pm
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