Riding for the Disabled: Ram donated to raise money for local charity

After making the move from Hamilton, Gary and Judy Doyle are making their presence felt in their new home with an act of generosity.

What better way for a new breed in a new district to make its mark than to donate a ram to be sold for charity.

That’s exactly what Gary and Judy Doyle from Montarna SheepMasters at Yulecart have done by giving away a ram to be sold at Sheepvention next week.

Proceeds of the ram will go to the local Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia branch at Hamilton, a cause that runs close to the heart of Mrs Doyle, who is a board member of the national organisation.

Gary and Judy Doyle from Montarna SheepMasters at Yulecart have donated a ram to be sold at Sheepvention next week.

The Doyles moved from north of Wentworth, NSW, to the Western District earlier this year with their flock of Sheepmaster sheep, a fully shedding breed.

The ram is from the top of this year’s run of sires, and would have been in “the top 4 or 5 per cent of our sale rams”, Mr Doyle said.

“He is a big ram, weighing nearly 100kg at 1½ years, and he has very good conformation and excellent feet,” he said.
“Some of the shedding sheep can have problems in wetter climates so that is why we have been so particular about feet and these are sheep that can stand up to the weather in drier and wetter areas.”

The Doyles will have their own ram sale in September but were keen to raise their profile but more importantly, to give something back to the community that has welcomed them to the district.

“It is a good way to get involved while we are new, and after two years where it could not operate due to Covid-19, it is a chance to boost the funds for the Riding for the Disabled,” Mr Doyle said.

“You do have to sell a lot of lamingtons to be able to raise as much as what we hope this ram will sell for, it’s for a worthy cause and it shows the district what sheep we have here.”

Sheepvention kicks off on Sunday and runs through to Tuesday.