There were big hats, big smiles, big cattle and even bigger-hearted moments pulsating through this year’s Santa Gertrudis National Youth Cattle Camp, cementing its reputation among parents and children alike as the best event of its type held anywhere in Australia.
Ten-year-old Jack Whitty, of Forbes, NSW probably summed it up best when he told ABC Radio the camp was the place to meet new friends, catch up with old mates, hang out with cattle and enjoy the delicious food.
Ensuring the next generation can grow their cattle management skills has never looked so much fun.
Here’s a snaphot of how the biggest week for Santa Gertrudis in January 2025 panned out.
Day 1, January 15 – People get ready!
More than 130 young people from 7-17 and their families gather at Morgan Park, Warwick, where the grounds are turned into a tent and caravan city for the three and half days ahead.
In the lead up to everyone arriving, portable yards have been constructed and cattle unloaded under the watchful eye of field directors Russell Smyth and Russell Yeates.
Gary Waldock, who would later receive an award of appreciation for his years of service to the event, took on his customary role of collecting and delivering the necessary infrastructure in his fixed body truck.
Newly installed youth subcommittee chair Brett Ellem, Yulgilbar, coordinated the set-up with a military-like precision, while Tonya Carew and Gail Moxey and their team of volunteers prepped the kitchen with enough food to sustain an army.
Association president Liz Allen organised the office to ensure paperwork was primed and volunteers assigned to their ‘official’ roles, while clinical nurse Nadine Moxey had prepared the first-aid station for any potential mishaps on-site.
Head bartender Daniel Phillips ensured the cold room was fully stocked in case any further ‘medication’ for adults was required.
Camp MC Ben Carew tested out his vocal cords and the PA system supplied by sponsor Ross Martin, while group leader coordinator Lachie Martin briefed his ‘troops’.
Camp officially starts with safety lessons on handling cattle, halter making, team-building exercises and parading demonstrations.
There’s also time in the classroom, to hear from AAM Investment Group’s general manager of northern assets, Ben Wratten, talk about his career journey in beef.
Group leader Emma Franz, who is also in charge of compliance at Nolan Meats, Gympie, gives a rundown on MSA and butchering, while photographer Morgan Guest talks about marketing cattle.
The first of the event’s 23 sponsors are acknowledged:
Bill and Gretchen Speed, Brigodoon Cattle Co, Wandoan and Kilcoy Global Foods for supplying the succulent Santa beef, Queensland Country Life as the camp’s longstanding media partner and Zoetis.
And if that day wasn’t big enough, the nighttime program ends with the Farmer’s Challenge!
Day 2, January 16 – The action heats up
Day 2 starts as a scorcher, so staying hydrated, slathering on sunscreen, and stocking up on cold watermelon and ice blocks is the first order of business, followed by bull and female, and commercial cattle selection.
Sponsor Vytelle, a precision livestock reproduction service provider, is invited to give a talk and demonstration on IVF procedures.
Commercial cattle judging starts after lunch, with the prime cattle provided by B Feeders Feedlot, just outside Warwick.
With the cattle activity on the grounds ramping up, it’s an opportunity to call out the support of sponsors such as Performance Feeds – Anipro for the cattle feed, Riverina Stockfeeds for the marquee and troughs, George & Fuhrmann Livestock Warwick, and Offsider Agricultural Equipment for the vet crush.
Afterwards, students engage in more group-building activities and the slip and slide is assembled on the side of a hill and all students oblige by taking the plunge, making a splash and cooling off after a feverishly busy day.
Dinner that night is an array of beautifully smoked meats, provided by Bill and Gretchen Speed, Brigodoon Cattle Co, Wandoan.
Apart from an impromptu game of footy on the oval, it’s lights out early – there’s still another two days to go!
Day 3, January 17 – Santa Camp gets large
Day 3 is the biggest day of an already big program, with group photos first up followed by junior judging and cattle judging, and the Sir James Walker Young Judges Championship and semen auction in the evening.
With all the students now handling their cattle with more confidence, the increased activity encourages the media to attend, with sponsor Queensland Country Life and ABC Rural on the grounds.
As the Santa Gertrudis National Youth Cattle Camp nears its final night for 2025, the group leaders who have mentored and supported students are acknowledged.
Many of the group leaders are former students themselves, and it is enormously appreciated that they return to share their skills with the next generation, joining new recruits who are experiencing the magic of Santa Camp for the first time.
The last, but certainly not least of our 23 sponsors, who make the camp possible are acknowledged:
Warwick Budget Steel for the panels and loading ramp; the Bulmer family for hay; Duff Pastoral and Anipro Liquid Supplements for the water troughs; Bluebird Kitchen and Smokehouse for the meat smoker and RDH Integration Services for the Starlink trailer.
Santa Gertrudis Australia National Youth Camp stud beef junior judging has been assessed by overjudges Georgia Perkins, Lachie Martin, Jemma Gilliand, Dennis Moxey, Taylor Humphreys and Rob Murphy.
Under the watchful eye of judges Tom Bassingthwaighte and Lachie Martin, students also took part in assessing the donated cattle, delivering a clean sweep to Murgona studmasters Dan and Kasey Phillips, who presented the grand champion bull and female.
Day 4, January 18 – Hats off to another magic Santa Camp
Ella Phillips, Taroom takes out the Champion Herdsperson award for the highest overall points across all competing students in prime judging, stud judging and paraders competition. (See main story)
In the paraders competition, judges Emma Franz and Sam Falls selected:
Junior Champion Parader: Montanna Richters
Reserve Junior Champion Parader: Fletcher Skillington
Senior Champion Parader: Hunter Ellem
Reserve Senior Champion Parader: William Moxey
Grand Champion Parader: Hunter Ellem
Further awards are distributed before the final clean-up begins and the Santa Gertrudis National Youth Cattle Camp closes for 2025.
Images by Morgan Guest, MG Rural Media
