Morgan Park buzzed with youthful enthusiasm in January as 125 children from across Australia converged in Warwick for the Santa Gertrudis Cattle Youth Camp.
The primary aim of the camp is to impart knowledge about working with cattle and to cultivate a passion for the agricultural industry among the younger generation.
Chairman of the Santa Gertrudis Youth Committee David Bassingthwaighte, said with interested youth is how the industry grows.
“The Agriculture industry needs new ideas and new people coming through all the time so our goal is to educate the kids and pass on our knowledge so they can make it an even better place,” David said.
The three-day camp serves as an educational platform where students delve into cattle selection, safety practices, animal health, and the intricacies of preparing cattle for shows and parades.
The program has been ongoing in Warwick for 20 plus years and while it draws participants from far and wide it has also become a multi-generational event.
A long-term participant of the program and Warwick local who is now cheering on his grandchildren, Gary Waldock, said one of the best factors of the program is the social element.
“It is really beneficial for the kids to get those social skills by working in groups and making some like-minded friends,” Gary said.
“Even for the families, those who have been coming here from early on get to catch up with each other over the three days.”
Beyond its educational aspect, the camp serves as a significant economic driver for the town
Tonya Carew, the Kitchen Coordinator, underlined the local impact, stating, “We bring 300 people into the region who no doubt use the shops in town, so there is a real economic benefit to this program.“
The kitchen staff and parent volunteers work collaboratively to cater to the needs of the 300 participants, sourcing produce from nearby shops.
While various cattle youth camps are held across Australia, participants of the Santa Gertrudis camp lauded it as the best program available.
Ranging from eight-year-olds confidently leading heifers to 17-year-olds meticulously grooming cattle for judges, the camp emerges as a catalyst for fostering a genuine love for agriculture and rural life among the participants.
