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CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT The next two weeks will offer a diagnosis to the state of Australian Federal politics, as
CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
For 45 years the Bunting family butcher shop has stood proudly on the high street of the rural agricultural hub of Pineapple Ridge.
And for 41 years this family business has been the key sponsor for the fabled Pineapple Ridge Pigs RLFC.
In it's second generation of Bunting ownership, Bunting & Sons Butchery, formerly known as BUNTING MEATS, has been one of the few constants in this town.
The current owner, Glenn Bunting Jnr, plans to keep it that way. With three equally short-tempered but community minded adult sons working alongside him. The family business is in good hands.
Through crippling droughts, devastating flood, multiple extremely corrupt mayors, the rise of supermarket duopolies and global recessions, the Buntings have never given up on this place.
Their commitment to affordable meats and community spirit is epitomised through their unconditional support and sponsorship of the embattled Piggies football club.
In recent decades, the Piggies have become infamous for their ability to snatch a loss from the jaws of victory.
Even the millennium drought saw more moments of temporary mercy in the way of sun showers. In Pineapple Ridge, something as unceremonious as a Colts draw is enough for a night long celebration.
And the Bunting family is there every weekend, regardless of the club's record-break streak of losses.
But it's not just the front of jersey sponsor, sleeve sponsors, grand stand sponsor, and meat tray raffle that the Buntings provide this club with.
With barely enough players to register 3 three grades in the local comp, it is not uncommon for all four Bunting men to lace up and play for the Piggies themselves.
All it takes is bad flu or a reckless Saturday piss up for the club to be so low on numbers that 58-year-old Glenn Junior to find himself warming the bench for 3s.
In fact, at this point, many of the locals are beginning to worry that there might be a sadistic element to the local butcher's loyalty to this abysmal footy club.
"They deserve recognition" says local mechanic, Peter Nolan.
"It's beyond community spirit. this is full blown charity work"
However, when approached for comment, Glenn and his sons play a straight bat.
They refuse to acknowledge the fact that they are now technically philanthropists, but instead prefer to talk about the glorious under 16s premiership of 1987.
"Highs and troughs, mate" says Glenn junior.
"We'll be back. Tell em what you saw the other day Glennboy"
Glenn Junior's son, Glen III, pauses from his work carving up a local steer and puffs up with delight.
"Couple Fijians in town" he says, excitedly.
"Working on that bridge down near the bypass"
"We're sending them some brisket for smoko"