’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.

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.”

Columba Catholic College student Abbey Leslie, 13, relaxes with some of the Triple E show Brahmans. The stud is partnered with the school and provides heifers to their cattle club.

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.”

Nine-year-old cattle club member Harry Webb achieved a ribbon sweep at the show, winning junior judging and attending the finals in junior handling.

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.

Triple E co-owner Gavin Webber with the Charters Towers Show 2024 champion exhibit – Brahman bull Triple E RUGER (ivf) (h) a son of four times world champion Brahman bull Mr. V8 458/7 Noble.

“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.

Charters Towers cattleman Rodrick Prior with cow Ms Something Special 468T3 who won reserve champion senior cow among all brahman and brahman-hybrid breeds.

“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.”

Ms Something Special 468T3. Mr Prior has big plans for the cow including AIing her to the two-time Supreme Champion of the Houston Texas Show. “America is huge on Brangus,” he said.

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.

Emily Gale, 18, with Lowline cow Nalcoombie Secrets Keep who won grand champion senior female among the non-brahman breeds with her one month old bull calf at foot.

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.

Show workers Joy Evans and Jill Campbell. Mrs Campbell said she was happy to be in a picture because “people need to be reminded about skin cancer”. “I’ve been having operations for two years,” she said. “It starts as a pimple. Wear your hat.” The WA-woman normally lives on a station outside Kalgoorlie.

“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

Originally published as ’Massive’: Cattle showing is booming among Charters Towers kids