HATSOFFTOSANTACAMPSUCCESS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
SantaYouthCamp:Asuccessful eventwith130youngparticipants learningcattlehandlingand judging.
HotSantaPie:SantaGertrudis beefwillfeatureinthe‘pieofthe show’attheSydneyRoyalEaster Show.
SydneyShowPrep:Entriesclose Feb26,witheventsandjudging scheduled.
Education: Scholarships(applyby Feb21)andJudging School(March14-16, registerbyFeb28).
JobOpening: Temporaryrolein Brisbane,mid-Mayto August.
From the General Manager
WelcometotheFebruaryeditionofSantaExpress. Ithasbeenasimplysuperstartto2025followinganotherhugely successfulSantaYouthCampatWarwickfromJanuary15-18.
Abut 130 young people aged 7-17 plus their families enjoyed almost four days of solid cattle handling and judging activity –nottomentiontheoddgameoffootyandthegiantslip‘n’slide!
Even a cursory glance at the Santa Gertrudis Facebook page will show the overwhelmingly positive engagement with this event from within our community and across the wider beef industry andpublic.
It was particularly pleasing to see many of this year’s students interacting with Santa Gertrudis for the first time, either because they had come to us from other breeds, or they previously had minimalexposuretocattle.
It is testament to the quiet temperament of the cattle donated and the organisers and group leaders that above all else, a safe andenjoyablecampwasheld,providingtheperfectenvironment for young people to learn and form lasting friendships and memoriesforthefuture.
Our principal media partner, Queensland Country Life, has coverage on its website and ABC Rural also has this 10-minute radio report captured during the event which you can listen to here.
A summary of the Friday night auction, which raised $44,200 is here.
Wewillhaveafullwrap-upofthe2025SantaYouthCampinthe nexteditionofSantaJournalavailablefromApril7.
BradCooper,GeneralManager
HotSanta:A tasteofthings tocome
RoyalSydneyEasterShoworganisershave anew‘pieoftheshow’topromotefollowing confirmationthatGympieprocessing company,NolanMeats,willprovidequality SantaGertrudisbeefformembersofthe AustralianBakeryAssociation(ABA)to produceintheirthousandsonsite. Eachyear,itistraditionfortheAustralian BakeryAssociationtoproducemeatpiesat theevent,usingbeeffromtheshow’s featurebreedastheprimaryfillingforthe ‘pieoftheshow’.
WithSantaGertrudisthisyear’sfeature breed,theofferisaprimeopportunityto bringthequalityandflavourofSanta Gertrudisbeeftotheguestsandpuntersof Australia’slargestagriculturalshowfrom April11-22.
OurAssociationthanksTerryNolanandhis teamforisolatingaqualitypenofSanta Gertrudisanimals,currentlyon-feedatthe company’sCinnabarfeedlot,westof Gympie,designatedtofulfiltheorder SydneyShoworganiserswillsoonstart promotingthepieoftheshow,tobecalled theHotSanta,featuringqualitySantabeef,
SydneyShow plansgearup
Stud cattle entries for the Santa Gertrudis ring at Sydney Show close February26.
At last count we had about 90 head booked from about 25 exhibitors with moretocome.
As indicated, we will have a ticketed social function on the Saturday afternoon/evening after judging in our hospitalityareaandamorecasualgettogether on the Friday night for exhibitors.Moredetailstocome.
Steer judging will happen on Thursday, April 10, with SGB(A)A president Liz Allen andclassifierRussellSmythstewarding.
JudgingSchool
Save the dates March 14-16 in your diaries if you’re keen to learn some of the finer points of cattleassessment
Santa Gertrudis judging schools offer cattle producers a forum to assess their operations and breeding programs through presentations byguestspeakers.
These sessions include lectures, practical demonstrations, and opportunities for participants to engage in discussions, ask questions, provide feedback, and share their selectioncriteria.
Learn judging etiquette and get tips on how to improve your commentary in the show ring, as wellasreceiveinsightsonselectingandjudging bulls,femalesandsteers.
Held only once a year, the Santa Gertrudis Judging School is always in high demand. Placesarelimitedto30peopleagedover18
Jobopportunitycomingup
The cost is $165 (inc GST) per person and coversallmealsandcampingon-site. Camping facilities are available at Broadwater Sales Complex, Yulgilbar stud, Baryulgil, NSW and include showers, toilets and kitchen facilities
Off-site accommodation is an option at the participant’s own cost. Payment is due upon registrationandregistrationswillbetakenona firstin,firstservedbasis.
RegistrationscloseFebruary28 Youcanaccesstheregistrationformhere.
We need a qualified candidate for a temporary, parental leave position at the Geebung office in Brisbane from mid-May to the end of August, with a possible extension.The role will be at full-time hours, with the candidate ideally bringing administrative and communications skills, and event management experience to theposition.Abackgroundinlivestockwouldbeanadvantage.
Applicationsarenotyetofficiallyopen,butifyouorsomeoneyouknowwouldliketo express interest in the role, they are welcome to contact general manager Brad Cooperatgm@santagertrudis.com.auforaconfidentialconversation.
SantaExpressadvertisingavailable
The decision to upload Santa Express to our website in the Flipbook format is paying dividends with last month's edition attracting more than 200 reads, with each reader spending on average more than three minutes on page. Thank you for supporting this new initiative. If you’d like to advertise in Santa Express at competitiveratescontactMaddisonMcCaffertyatadmin@santagertrudis.com.au
ThenexteditionofSantaExpresswillbeuploadedMarch3
SantaJournalnextedition
Advertising bookings close on March 7 for the next edition of Santa Journal, with production starting March 10. The publication will be printed March 17 and is scheduled to leave the Brisbane mail house by weekendingApril4.
ThiseditionwillincludeallthehighlightsoftheSantaYouthCamp,with stories behind some of our winners. We’ll have a preview to Sydney Show and features on people making their mark with Santa cattle and Santabeef.Toadvertiseinthisedition,contactMaddisonMcCaffertyat admin@santagertrudis.com.au
Let’ssettherecordstraight!Thingscanchangein12months.
That’swhyatthistimeofyear,beforethingsgetbusyagain,we’reaskingyouto updateyourmemberdetailswithus.
Changes to email addresses or phone numbers can sometimes be easily forgotten. Thisisyouropportunitytotakestockandmakesureweknowhowtofindyou. You can easily update your details by scanning this QR code and filling out the formorsimplyfollowthislinktoenteryourdetails
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Someofyoumaybeseeing promotionfromtheInverell ShowSocietyabouttheirSanta GertrudisFeatureShowlater thismonth.
Wehavebeencommunicating withrepresentativesofthe InverellShoworganisingteam sincelatelastyear,formally expressinginDecember2024 thatwewouldbeunableto supporttheirfeatureevent, giventhatourbudgetand resourcingwasalready committedtoourfeatureshow inSydney.
Weappreciatetheeffortsof thosefromtheInverelldistrict tohighlightourbreed.Wewish theInverellShowSocietyand exhibitorswellfortheshow startingFebruary28.
However,sufficiently supportingtwofeatureshows withinsuchatighttimeframe wasbeyondthemeansofour Associationvolunteersand staff,whileclashingwithbreed standardsdayandthecouncil meeting.
Do you fancy having a crack at one of Australia’smostrespectedruralleadership programs?
Santa Gertrudis Australia is giving members or someone who works closely with the Santa Gertrudis breed, ideally aged between 25-35, the opportunity to receiveaMarcusOldhamRuralLeadership Program scholarship valued at more than $4000.
The five-day program from April 27-May 2 willgiveyoutheskillsandconfidencetobe abeefleaderoftomorrow.
ApplicationscloseFebruary21,2025. For more information and to apply visit https://santagertrudis.com.au/youth/
