Three Kumbia siblings claimed podium finishes at the recent Australian Whipcracking National Championships.
The AWPA (Australian Whipcrackers and Plaiters Association) Australian Whipcracking Championships were held at the 2025 Brisbane Exhibition on Saturday, 17 August.
The Bartlett family’s three children, Braxton, Harry and Willow competed in their respective whipcracking divisions.
The oldest, 13-year-old Braxton, was excited to come home as the Junior Champion (16 and under).
Meanwhile, nine-year-old Harry finished up as runner-up in the Juveniles section for 12-years and under.
Finally, young five-year-old Willow finished up in third place in the Peewees category for 8-years and under.
Mum Kristy Bartlett is proud of her children’s efforts at Australia’s highest level of whipcracking.
“It was the first time Braxton had to move up, and Harry move up… they were both the youngest in their age group, they were really happy to get a place,” Mrs Bartlett said.
Braxton especially was excited to hold onto the Australian title, despite moving up an age group this year and being among the youngest in his division.
“It’s been amazing to watch, especially Braxton, he’s so creative with his tricks and picks it up so easily,” she said.
“When you see them win and be announced as Australian champion you have a lot of pride.”
To qualify for the Nationals, whipcrackers have to place in the top four in their state.
At the state titles, Harry came first, Braxton came second and Willow came third in their separate age divisions.
The three Bartlett children learned how to crack a whip at a young age while mustering cattle on their family farm.
Their dive into competitive whipcracking began when Braxton started attending St John’s Lutheran School in Kingaroy which champions the dying Aussie art form with lessons and a whipcracking demonstration team.
“It’s amazing,” Mrs Bartlett said.
“It drew us to the school, as soon as Braxton saw they did the whipcracking.
“I think it’s great they offer that.”
St John’s teachers Mr Kotzur and Mr Landherr thought Braxton had some raw talent when he started learning the whipcracking tricks at school.
Braxton started competitive whipcracking when he was six-years-old, Harry started when he was about seven-years-old and Willow when she was about two-years-old.
“It’s incredible,” Mrs Bartlett said of watching the youngsters do the whipcracking.
“The tricks they learned at school and mucking around at home.”
For Braxton, he enjoys keeping the old rural Australian tradition going.
“It is creative, I love learning new tricks and getting the challenge,” he said.
Other South Burnett competitors did well at the national finals.
Alice Creek teenager Giaan Zammataro, came runner-up in the junior division, next to Braxton Bartlett.
The Braxton sibling’s whipcracking coach Jackson Kerkow came fifth in the competitive open men’s competition.
Finally the Wooler family, who have roots in the Yarraman region, saw Andrew Wooler take home sixth place in the men’s open competition, and Gabby Wooler claimed third place in both the World Bullock Whip, and open ladies.
