Proston – population 379 – will on March 5 host the State final of the Queensland Ag Shows Cattle Young Judges’ and Paraders’ competition.
It is the first time the prestigious contest will be held outside the Ekka in Brisbane and Proston Show Society president Mortimer Duff is beyond thrilled.
He said it is the most prestigious event to ever grace the Proston show and it has galvanised the community.
“It has definitely brought the whole town together and given them something to be excited for,” Mr Duff said.
“And, the best thing for me has been the feedback from the community of ‘we need more competitions for young people to be involved in our show’.
“Now we are hosting these state competitions for youth, it will bring more young people to the show and give them something to learn from and aspire to.”
Mr Duff said when Queensland Shows general manager, Trevor Beckingham offered the tiny town the opportunity, the small committee quickly met to ratify the decision.
He said knowing the livestock section stewards, Michael and Kathy Duff, Steven Robinson and Richard Grimes he knew that by “hell or high water” the competition would run.
“So many of the opportunities afforded to young people have gone by the wayside over the last two years,” Mr Duff said.
“What we have is an opportunity to provide a platform for young people who want to put themselves out there, who want to find their pathway in the agricultural industry
“Our committee, whether they’re cattle stewards, general stewards or volunteers, they’re committed to doing anything they can to provide a platform for these young people to compete and to resume normalcy as quickly as possible.”
Mr Duff stressed that organising the event of this scale took a team effort.
“Everyone from ladies in the kitchen and the volunteers on the gate have been given an extra workload with the scale of this year’s show – a workload they have taken on without a grumble.
“Brian and Gloria Smith, for example, have tirelessly volunteered their time and resources to find and cart cattle for free for our show.”
Between 10 and 12 competitors – the winners from Queensland’s sub-chambers – will vie for prime beef cattle judge, stud beef cattle judge and stud beef cattle paraders
Rob Sinnamon of Kyogle, NSW will judge the state finals.
Mr Duff said for the first time in years, the show would host a feature show, focusing on Speckle Park.
He said this preceded the Toowoomba Royal Show in March, which would promote the same breed.
“This works quite nicely in partnership with that event,” Mr Duff said.
Agricultural exhibitions are free for school teams at the 64th annual Proston Show.
As such, school agricultural teams who exhibit stud or prime cattle are exempt from entry fees “in an effort to foster the rising generation of primary producers and graziers,” Mr Duff said.
