A GROUP of friends has banded together to honour a promise made to a well-known beef industry figure, and a good mate.
Cattle fitter, stud breeder, and past Charolais Australia general manager Jack Henry died last year after losing his battle with cancer.
Before his death, some close friends within the industry promised Mr Henry they would make sure his three children would be supported through their educations.
And so the Jack Henry Trust was formed, and has since received wide-spread support from the beef industry.
One of those mates was David Bolton, Congupna, Victoria.
"It started in July last year when we lost Jack to cancer he had been battling for five years," he said.
"For his mates, me being one of them, he had been like family to us through the beef cattle industry, and we made an undertaking to assist Heidi, his wife, in the needs of the kids' education as they got older.
"The kindness of the beef cattle industry has been fantastic, from pens of steers to stud animals to show steers, having been gifted to Jack's kids this cow industry has been unbelievable in helping out."
The trust has been set up to be ongoing to assist Rachel, 8, Louis, 5, and Thomas, 2, with their schooling in their hometown of Tamworth.
Mr Bolton said it was good to remember those who have had a big contribution, and Mr Henry was a mentor to many stud breeders across the country.
One of those studs was Paringa Livestock, Yea, Vic.
Principals Tom and Olivia Lawson auctioned a charity cow and calf at their recent on-property sale, raising $9000 for the trust.
The lot was purchased by Vicki Standish, Vicki Kelly Primary Production, Vic.
Mr Lawson said they weren't expecting to see the price go so high, and it was amazing to see the way the sale of the heifer worked out.
"Ms Standish is a repeat client of ours, but she is also a philanthropist, doing a lot for children throughout the world," he said.
While at the Charolais society, Mr Henry initiated and managed the Beef Improvement Nucleus (BIN) Progeny Test project, the first of its kind for the breed.
Mr Lawson said Mr Henry was one of their biggest mentors, in the context of both their business and family.
"He was passionate about genetic improvement and the need to drive profit through genetic gain," he said.
"Jack was taken from us too young, and we sold the heifer for the trust to help support his children."
St Pauls Simmental principal Bill Cornell also donated a weaner heifer at his recent complete herd offering in Albury.
The charity lot sold at $2500 to South Australian breeder Craig Wooding, Magpie Park Simmentals, Penola.
