TWO of Queensland’s leading beef producers have been appointed to the RNA Council.
Blackall grazier Liz Allen and Roma’s Ian Galloway have replaced long serving retiring RNA Councillors and cattlemen Alastair Bassingthwaighte and Philip Harpham.
RNA president David Thomas paid tribute to Mr Bassingthwaighte and Mr Harpham who had served on the RNA Council for a combined 46 years.
“We are indebted to them for their decades of service and commitment to the RNA and the Royal Queensland Show,’’ Justice Thomas said.
“They have made an enormous contribution to the RNA and their expertise and knowledge of the beef and dairy industries has ensured our livestock competitions are a showcase of the best of the best.
“The RNA has benefitted greatly by having people of this calibre on council, their tireless work over so many years has been integral to the success of the Ekka, and we are very appreciative of their efforts.”
Mr Bassingthwaighte is regarded as one of Australia’s most respected stud cattle breeders and has served on the RNA Council since 1981. He has been an active member of the beef cattle, boer goats, meat hall and joint stock committees.
Mr Harpham, a veterinarian and grazier, has been an RNA councillor since 2001. He was a member of the executive committee and served as chairman of beef cattle and meat hall, joint stock, dairy, young judges and the veterinary committees.
He was also a member of the dairy goats, animal boulevard, development and planning and Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show committees and was heavily involved in the creation of the branded beef competition – one of the RNA’s most prestigious competitions.
Justice Thomas said Mr Bassingthwaighte and Mr Harpham had been appointed as honorary councillors in recognition of their years of service.
He also welcomed the appointment of Ms Allen and Mr Galloway and looked forward to the council benefiting from their expertise.
Mr Galloway, a stud cattle breeder, operates the Cootharaba Hereford, Duarran Brangus and Red Angus studs, plus the Cootharaba Bonsmara Stud. The Cootharaba Hereford stud is Australia’s oldest - founded in 1926 by Ian’s grandfather JJ Galloway. Mr Galloway oversees 25,000 hectares and 4500 head of cattle across western Queensland.
He has served as president of the Australian Hereford Society; as a committee member on the Brangus World Congress and judged cattle in Royal Shows across Australia, plus at international competitions. He is passionate about educating the next generation in the Australian cattle industry.
Ms Allen is a partner in the family grazing enterprise running stud and commercial Santa Gertrudis at Blackall and brings more than 22 years of experience within the sheep and cattle industries and an in-depth knowledge of the RNA.
She has held positions at the RNA, Australian Agricultural Company, Meat and Livestock Australia and AgForce Queensland.
Her aim as an RNA councillor is to continue to bridge the country city divide through education and promotion of the state’s primary industries sector.
“The RNA and the Royal Queensland Show are about recognising and rewarding the best of the best, it’s vitally important the world class food and fibre produced in this state is showcased to metropolitan audiences,’’ she said.
“I’ve been coming to Ekka since I was a child, the show is an institution and it’s important to all Queenslanders, it’s wonderful to be associated with this iconic event.”
