Sam to bid farewell to the Clarence Valley

Clarence Valley’s Spunkiest Mullet 2020 winner Sam Kempnich has decided to say goodbye to the Clarence Valley for his luscious locks.

Sam Kempnich was crowned winner of the Clarence Valley's Spunkiest Mullet for 2020.

After keeping his pride and joy hidden under a hair net for seven years, winner of the 2020 Clarence Valley’s Spunkiest Mullet Sam Kempnich has decided to head out west to set his mullet free.

“I’m not sure exactly where I’m heading yet but most likely Collarenebri out past Moree,” he said.

Sam Kempnich and his mullet, with Makaela and Sophie Landenberger at South Grafton Cup Day in 2019.

“I want to go out there and have a crack at doing the harvest out there. Dave who used to work with us here, he’s out there doing it and he seems to reckon it’s pretty good, so I want to have a crack at it too and see what it’s all about.

“It also means the mullet will finally be allowed to flap around in the wind. I may have to keep the door open on the tractor so the air can flap through it!”

On Friday, Sam bid farewell to work colleagues and customers at Maclean Variety Meats after working there for over a decade.

“I’ll miss my good customers and miss seeing everyone here, but it will be good to go and try something else,” he said.

✨ Goodbye and Goodluck Sam! ✨Many of you will recognise this face (or hair net) our butcher Sam will have his last day...

Posted by Maclean Variety Meats on Thursday, July 29, 2021

While his family always shopped there when he was a child, Sam said he got his start at Maclean Variety Meats through a school work experience program.

“I asked if I could do it there and it was no worries,” he said.

“Afterwards, they asked me if I wanted to wash up over the holidays, and I simply worked my way up from there.”

Sam said that while he’ll miss the familiar faces around Maclean, he’s excited for the new adventure which he anticipates will start in early October.

“I reckon a change like this is as good as a holiday,” he laughed.