Running the Cutter at Golden Mount Festival

If you’ve spent any time in Mount Morgan, you know that history isn’t just something we read in book. We live, breathe, and occasionally, run down the street carrying a billy of beer for it. 

With the Golden Mount Festival just days away, there is one tradition that always gets the town talking: Running the Cutter. The rivalry between the town teams and the out-of-town teams. Those judges watching so no one spills any! The eager runners who under-estimate their running and drinking ability. 

Back in the early 1900s, when the mine was the heartbeat of the mountain, "Running the Cutter" wasn't a sport—it was a necessity. After a long, hot shift underground, there was nothing a miner wanted more than a cold beer.

The "Cutter" was a billycan, and the "Runner" was usually a young lad or a miner’s child. Their mission? Race to the nearest hotel, get that billy filled, and have it waiting, ice-cold and frothing, the second the miner finished for the day.  It was a high-stakes delivery service that kept the town hydrated for nearly two decades, way before uber eats was even heard of! 

While we don't have kids running beer through the streets at the end of shift anymore, we keep that spirit alive every year at the Golden Mount Festival. The modern race is a 6-person relay that tests speed, teamwork, and—most importantly—the ability to not spill a drop.

Teams sprint between our historic local pubs—the Golden Nugget, the Leichhardt, the Grand, and the Railway, each having to drink a beer before their next runner leaves— the final "drinker" has to down the contents of the cutter at the finish line near the statue. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it’s pure Mount Morgan.

Take a Piece of History Home: Limited Edition Replica Billies

This year, we wanted to do something special to celebrate our 20th year in business and our love for this town's quirky history.

We’ve had a limited run of special replica souvenir enamel billy cans made specifically for the 2026 Festival! These aren't just display pieces; they are tough, authentic-style enamel billies featuring a custom "Running the Cutter" design.

• Perfect for your next camping trip 

• A unique keepsake for anyone who has ever run the race or cheered from the sidelines.

• The ultimate gift for former locals who still have the Golden Mount in their blood.

These are exclusive to Wattle Bee Next, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Pop into the shop this week to grab yours before the Saturday rush! Whether you’re competing in the race or just enjoying the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" themed Golden Mount festivities, make sure you’re carrying a bit of local legend with you.

You will also find them online on our webstore. 

See you at the Festival!