A local drama festival was organised in September 1985 by Barcaldine Amateur Theatrical Society. Seven plays from five groups (Barcaldine two, Longreach,m Blackall, Muttaburra two, and Winton) were presented for adjudication by John V. Trevour, a producer with the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. An audience of about 900 saw awards go to: Michael Power, best actor; Dr. J. Barker, best producer; Van Nugent, best actress; and to Barcaldine for best group.
Twenty years later, BATS was still an active group, presenting at least one performance each year.
