DALBY district cattle producers Manny and Noel Sorley, Mt Callan, Dalby, will use their proceeds from the Win a Pen of Santa Steers competition to upgrade their water infrastructure.
Mrs Sorley could not believe her good fortune when she was notified by Queensland Country Life earlier this week that she had been drawn as the winner of the long-running competition.
"Are you sure this is not a hoax?" she asked when told the happy news.
A collaboration between Queensland Country Life and the Santa Gertrudis Breeders Association, the Win a Pen of Santa Steers competition saw ten steers donated by the Bassingthwaighte families from their Yarrawonga and Waco studs.
Fed for 100 days at the Morgan Pastoral Kurrawong Feedlot, outside Dalby, the steers sold for 314c/kg at the Dalby Saleyards on Wednesday morning.
Averaging 640kg, the steers returned an impressive $2009/head.
Mrs Sorley will receive half the sale proceeds, while the balance will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
"I am delighted to share the proceeds with such a great cause," Mrs Sorley said.
"Thank goodness we have never had to call them, but it is comforting to know they are there for us all."
Santa Gertrudis Australia general manager Ben Noller said the association was also proud to be able give back to an organisation that benefited so many rural Queenslanders.
"The Win a Pen of Santa steers competition has been running for a long time, and I think over that period we have given more than $60,000 to the RFDS," Mr Noller said.
"As well, Morgan Pastoral have been great supporters of the competition.
"It costs a bit to finish those steers, so they have put a lot into the competition over the years."
Mrs Sorley summed her win up by saying a big thank-you to the Bassingthwaighte family and wished them well for their upcoming bull sale.
She also thanked the Santa Gertrudis Breeders Association, the Morgan family, selling agents GDL and Queensland Country Life.
