Inverell show is 150 years strong this year and a gold medal winner from Rio shared her story of inspiration as she urged the next generation to carry on.
Gemma Ethridge was part of the winning Australia women's national rugby sevens team that did Australia proud at Rio in 2016. On Saturday she joined her husband Ben Noller, who along with Richard Duddy, judged stud beef cattle.
“Take whatever opportunity you get,” she told her audience. “You can always transfer your skills. I was chosen from a touch football background and learned to tackle at age 26.”
Under the shadow of billowing cumulus that did bring rain relief right across the north-west, a shorthorn cow and her remarkable calf, born January, were sashed Supreme Beef Exhibit at the 150th Inverell Show.
Delungra Shorthorn cow Emross Victories Indiana Amy by Broughton Park Victory from Emross Indiana Amy caught the eye of judges judges Ben Noller, Stanthorpe, and Richard Duddy, Tamworth, who praised her maternal traits including a beautiful udder along with her volume and thickness through the stifle and pins and across the hips.
“We are comfortable with the cattle that have surfaced to the top of this competition,” said Mr Duddy. “And her calf has outstanding carcase qualities.”
The supreme bull, 4 Ways Mario, 15 months, produced by the Whitechurch family, Inverell, was described as “Mobile … The complete package,” by Mr Noller.
The Whitechurch family also won best breeders’ group.
Best calf went to Emross Shorthorn stud; Pair of bulls was won by the Lloyd family, “Heitiki Droughtmasters” Delungra.
Best pair of females went to Grant and Jo Watt, Mundoo Angus, Grahams Valley for first calf heifer Leah M9 and heifer Leah M36, which on Friday was judged champion of the special heifer show.
Best Hereford, Thornleigh Snowflake, went to the Monie family’s Thornleigh stud at Little Plain.