’Massive’: Cattle showing is booming among Charters Towers kids
A new-look Charters Towers Show is experiencing a huge increase in kids and teens participating in cattle showing. Read what’s driving the change. SHOW RESULTS NOW INCLUDED.
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Junior cattle judging and handling are on the rise after a booming cohort of local kids participated in the 2024 Charters Towers Show.
It’s a great tick of approval for show organisers, who’ve been working hard the last two years to build the event back into a true agricultural show.
Burdekin Brahman’s owner Nick Brownson hasn’t brought cattle to the Charters Towers Show in over ten years – but this week he was back with a string of bulls.
“The Sunday judging crowd was massive, there was a number of families and people who’d travelled 500 or 600km off their stations to see their kids participate,” Mr Brownson said.
“There is a boom in the amount of kids involved, we ended up behind schedule because there were just so many in the junior classes – which is a good problem to have.”
Mr Brownson said in the past there was maximum 30 kids in the junior classes.
“Now there is up to 80 out there. It’s a real credit to the new committee, they’ve been trying real hard.”
Growing interest among students
Columba Catholic College school officer Sonia Wood said interest in the school’s cattle club was growing year-on-year.
“When I took over in 2018 there were nine kids, now it’s over 30,” Mrs Wood said.
“Some kids are off cattle properties themselves, but there are also students joining who live in town. We find it’s become an alternative for kids who don’t care about sports.”
Cattle clubs are becoming increasingly commonplace in Charters Towers high schools, with cattle also running at All Souls St Gabriels and Blackheath and Thornburgh College.
New studs turning up for revamped show
For seven years, there was no cattle judging at the Charters Towers Show, creating a strange hole in the landscape of what many consider the beef capital of North Queensland.
When organisers reintroduced cattle in 2023 and 2024, the attendance of quality studs wasn’t guaranteed – but word got around.
Brahman stud Triple E was established five years ago and was one of the first to throw their hat into the ring in 2023.
The stud was back in 2024 where they once again claimed the holy grail of awards: the grand champion exhibit.
Operating as a syndicate between four cattlemen, co-owner Lochlan Solair said they’d decided to attend Charters Towers Show because of “word of mouth”.
“We all know each other and get talking … we all just worked together, and the schools bought a wedge of cattle,” Mr Solair said.
“There are heaps of kids here, I wouldn’t know how many.”
Mr Solair said the Charters Towers Show used to be big on cattle, but it “died for a bit”.
“They’ve really pushed it and now there is 70+ head under halter here today,” he said.
“This is another generation I suppose and people are getting passionate about it again, there are a couple new studs too.”
Triple E syndicate partner Gavin Webber said an overall “correctness” was behind their 20-month-old bull Triple E RUGER taking the grand champion exhibit.
“This is his first show on a halter,” Mr Webber said of the 780kg bull.
“He is very correct in the feet, very square footed, huge hindquarter with plenty of spring in the ribs and balance in areas to put plenty of beef on.”
Mr Webber said Charters Towers was the beef capital of North Queensland, and Brahmans had a big role to play in that.
“You can cross Brahman with anything and you’ll have a tolerant animal that can handle ticks, the weather and do massive growth,” he said.
“There is a huge future still with the Australian Brahman industry, which is only young.”
Another new kid on the block was Brangus stud Hillview Homestead, recently established by Charters Towers grazier and Dalrymple Saleyard superintendent Rodrick Prior.
“My stud has only recently started in the last couple of years, I’m just building and these are the first couple of calves I’ve done myself,” Mr Prior said of the three he showed.
Mr Prior said his interest in the Brangus breed began when a neighbour’s Angus bull got into their Brahman cows and produced some cross calves.
“The weight gains in them cattle was far superior,” he said.
“There is usually 80 to 100kg difference.”
Mr Prior said as things get more expensive in Australia, finding profit margins was more important than ever.
“I see cattle sales every week. Black cattle come in there and I guarantee you … they will pay 20c to 50c more (for black cattle),” he said.
“I got told by a bloke the other day, he sent in some Brangus weaners and some Brahman weaners, bred the same time, weaned the same time, and he got $250 more for the Brangus.”
Lowlines
You can’t talk about school cattle clubs without bringing up Lowlines.
Essentially small Angus cows with placid personalities, the breed is taking over a previously untapped segment of the market that love cattle but aren’t in the market for a 700kg whopper.
Springsure outfit Nalcoombie travelled over 500km to bring a section of Lowlines and Shorthorns to the Charters Towers Show.
Emily Gale, 18, showed the grand champion cow and her one month old calf and said she loved their quiet nature.
“They are essentially kid-safe,” Ms Gale said.
“They are also good to put across your first-calf heifers and you get a Lowline cross, for easy calving.”
Fresh committee embracing agriculture
The new show committee picked up the reins in 2023 and is spearheaded by executive team Stella Gourley, Helen Berry and Kenneth, David and Joanne Coleman.
Show secretary Helen Berry said it is “definitely, definitely” their intention to bring agriculture back, but this didn’t mean the rides or showbags were going.
Organisers have estimated attendance numbers on their busiest day, Monday, July 29, was around 2000 – not bad for a town of 12,000.
“We are very grateful for the support of the sponsors and the community,” Ms Berry said.
“And we want to keep putting this show on.”
Ms Berry said they were backed by a very strong committee and a good band of volunteers who all make it possible.
Remembering the old show
Joy Evans grew up working at shows and has returned to the travelling profession later in life, running a lemonade, toffee apple and fairy floss stand.
She remembers Charters Towers Show well, and was assisted by her twin sister Jill Campbell at the 2024 show.
Now aged 81-years-old, they recall a ‘show ball’ Charters Towers put on the night before the show every year.
“They had it on the showgrounds or in the hall,” Ms Evans said.
“It’s only in the last 20 years the shows have become more about rides, it used to be all tent shows, boxing tents and magicians.”
The sisters recall the year they spent touring the show circuit alongside Slim Dusty’s ‘tent show’.
“It was lovely because every night you’d have a big campfire and he’d be there singing,” Mrs Campbell said.
“I’m glad for the old days.”
SHOW RESULTS
CATTLE
Supreme led exhibit
Triple E Ruger
Grand champion bull of show
Triple E Ruger
Grand champion female of show
Nalcoombie Southern Cross Ann U250
Young handlers (12 and under)
1 Daniel Brandis
2 Maddison Moren
3 Leah Murphy
Young handler (13 - 15)
1 Ivy Saal
2 Lacey Darcy
3 Jake Griffiths
Young handler (15 -17)
1 Tazmin Finger
2 Tahnee Bush
3 Riley Girlder
Young handler (17 - 21)
1 Rheannon Sayegh-Read
2 William Murphy
3 Becky Walton
Champion young handler
Tazmin Finger
Most successful school shield
All Souls Saint Gabriels School
Young judge (12 and under)
1 Harry Webb
2 Indi Struckel
3 Charlie Webb
Young judge (13 - 15)
1 Jake Griffiths
2 Gracie Gurney
3 Ethan Mathews
Young judge (15 - 17)
1 Tazmin Finger
2 Sasacha Young
3 Dallas Santarossa
Young judge (17 - 21)
1 Henry Gale
2 Rheannon Sayegh-Read
Champion young judge
Harry Webb
Champion led steer
ASSG Marshmallow
Reservce champion led steer
Columba Duke
Champion led commercial heifer
Queen
Reserve champion led commercial heifer
Nalcoombie Anne
BOS TAURUS (non-brahman breeds)
Grand champion bos taurus bull
Nalcoombie Sherman
Grand champion bos taurus female
Nalcoombie Southern Cross Ann U250
Senior champion bull
Nalcoombie Sherman
Senior champion female
Nalcoombie Secrets Keep
Junior champion bull
Triple C Hiduminium (Calgary Christian College)
Junior champion female
Nalcoombie Southern Cross Ann U250
BOS INDICUS (brahman and brahman hybrids)
Grand champion bos indicus bull
Triple E Weatherby
Grand champion bos indicus female
Triple E Miss Red Leesha
Senior champion female
Triple E Miss Red Leesha
Junior champion bull
Triple E Ruger
Junior champion female
Triple E Camilla
Multi breed cow and calf champion
Triple E Miss Red Leesha
COMMERCIAL/PENNED
Champion penned bos indicus bull
Palm Creek 576
Champion penned bos indicus commercial unregistered bull
Koolyn Brahmans
Champion pen of five feeders steers (all breeds)
Christmas Creek Cattle
Champion pen of five export steers
Christmas Creek Cattle
Champion pen of weaner heifers
Hammer Family / Glendillon Station
Champion pen of maiden heifers PTIC
Hammer family / Glendillon Station
Champion pen of re-breed cows PTIC
Burdekin Downs Pastoral Co.
Champion pen of fat cows
Burdekin Downs Pastoral Co.
Pip Knuth Memorial Shield grand champion prime exhibit
Burdekin Downs Pastoral Co.
Champion Sires Progeny
Triple E Brahmans
HORSES
Supreme champion of the show
Kalani Broderick on Eson Calender Girl
Champion junior showjumping rider and horse combination 17 and under
Lahni Madsen and Lil Miss Honey Bee
Rotary champion showjump rider 18 and over
Jaime Page
Annavale Stud off the track grand prix
Kayla Russell riding Barcelona Bound
Open grand prix
Charlotte Lee riding Hazardous
Open puissance jump
Mark Tomkin riding Quentin The Romantic
Open gold grand prix jump
Charlotte Lee riding Hazardous
Meg Cameron memorial top score jump
Jaime Page
Ivan Lawn memorial district jump
Natasha Dunworth
Charlie Hastie memorial six bar jump
Lahni Madsen riding Lil Miss Honey Bee
Andy Fitzgibbon memorial six bar jump
Natasha Dunworth riding All Spice
Eric Ormonde memorial six bar district jump
Miley Russell riding Mr Woodward
Eric Ormonde memorial six bar open jump
Jaime Page riding Temperance
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