ATHERTON Show had the benefit of the Tableland’s perfect winter weather last week and an exciting program of the ever-popular woodchop events had show patrons enthralled.
Visiting axemen from Tasmania and NSW gave the local men a run for their money in underhand, standing block, treefelling and crosscut sawing.
The gruelling 400mm butcher’s block team event for the Barbara Crear Memorial Trophy was won by the interstate combination of Greg Stubbs, NSW, and Gerald Baxter, Tasmania.
Woodchop steward and retired champion axeman Wally Crear was pleased with the two-day chop.
“The candlenut timber cut on the Mulgrave has been chopping well and we have seen a high standard from competitors,” he said.
“A lot of these old choppers were good in their day and they still chop well. We have a fellow of 70 who’s chopping from scratch, and they are always willing to offer good advice to the younger less experienced axemen.”
As always, Atherton had a strong showing from horse enthusiasts with an entertaining program of showjumping, halter and harness classes, riding classes and hacks.
Students from the agricultural department of Ravenshoe State School scooped the pool in the led cattle classes and judges commented that the high quality and temperament of the cattle shown is a credit to the school’s cattle raising program.
Pavilion exhibits were outstanding, with Merrilands Hall bursting at the seams with locally grown produce, floral displays, school exhibits, photography and art.
Organisers said the perfect weather had contributed to good crowd totals, although numbers of younger families were slightly down because this year the show fell in the middle of the school holidays.
*More photos in this week’s North Queensland Register, out Thursday.
RESULTS
Stud Beef Cattle - Tropical Breeds
Junior Champion Bull: Norm Tuxworth; Figtree Hamish
Reserve Junior Champion Bull: Ravenshoe State School; Warring Tyson
Senior Champion Bull: Norm Tuxworth; Figtree Hurricane
Reserve Senior Champion Bull: Ravenshoe State School; Pinnacle Pocket Butthead
Grand Champion Bull: Norm Tuxworth; Figtree Hurricane
Junior Champion Female: Ravenshoe State School; Warring Tyson
Reserve Junior Champion Female: Mr Norm Tuxworth; Figtree Alexandra
Senior Champion Female: Atherton High School; WH651 Poloma
Reserve Senior Champion Female: Atherton High School; Atherton High Nania
Grand Champion Female: Atherton High School; WH651 Poloma
Stud Beef Cattle - European/British Breeds
Junior Champion Bull: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Denali
Reserve Junior Champion Bull: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Guardian
Senior Champion Bull: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Drought Breaker
Reserve Senior Champion Bull: Ravenshoe State School; Fassifern Cherokee
Grand Champion Bull: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Denali
Junior Champion Female: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Shiryley
Reserve Junior Champion Female: Ravenshoe State School; Fassifern Dora
Senior Champion Female: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Jeanette
Reserve Senior Champion Female: Ravenshoe State School; Fassifern Celine
Grand Champion Female: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Jeanette
Supreme Champion Stud Beef Bull – Interbreed: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Denali
Supreme Champion Stud Beef Female – Interbreed: Terry Leary; Gadgarra Jeanette
Dairy Cattle
Champion Cow: Ravenshoe State School; Raschoda Brook Sarabi 2
Junior Champion Cow - Under 2½ Years: Ravenshoe State School; Raschoda Goldbullion Chloe 2
Reserve Junior Champion Cow: Ravenshoe State School; Raschoda Leader Samantha
Supreme Champion Cow – Interbreed: Ravenshoe State School; Raschoda Goldbullion Chloe 2
Agriculture
Best Maize of Show: Kate & John Tomerini
Best Fruit of Show: GV & G Galati
Most Successful Exhibitor - Fruit Section: GV & G Galati
Best Root Vegetable of Show: Rob Draper
Best Surface Vegetable of Show: Rocca Farm Fresh
Most Successful Exhibitor - Garden Section: Rocca Farm Fresh
Most Successful Exhibitor - Overall Agriculture Section: Stephen Crear
Most Successful Exhibitor - Agriculture Section: Kate & John Tomerini
Junior Agriculture
Best Root Vegetable: Alyce & Brendon Draper
Best Surface Vegetable: Stephen Crear
Best Fruit: Natalia Galati
Most Successful Junior Exhibitor: Stephen Crear
Email a friend