For more than 65 years veteran exhibitor and cattle fitter Neville Farrawell has experienced the highs and the lows of exhibiting cattle at the Ekka.
But this year, he could not contain his emotions when his cow Bonnie Brae Lioness 2 was sashed the grand champion Hereford female.
Mr Farrawell dispersed his Bonnie Brae Stud near Tamworth five years ago, except for three cows, due to ill health.
The three stud Hereford cows he kept were moved to close friend Chris Law, who operates the Hunday Hereford Stud at Quirindi, NSW where they run with Mr Law’s cattle.
However, Mr Farawell pulled two of his favourites out of the paddock a week ago to contest Hereford judging.
Bonnie Brae Lioness 2 won her class and was sashed senior and later grand champion female.
She had been shown as a calf at foot two years ago and returned last year while still a heifer.
Stablemate, Bonnie Brae Ruby Red, also did her best and won her class.
“Today is one of my proudest moments,” a teary Mr Farrawell said at the showgrounds after the judging last Friday.
“In the 65 years I have been competing, it is my second grand champion female ribbon, but it is the sweetest yet – it was a clean sweep with two head,” he said.
Bonnie Brae is by Sidk Vendetta 9 (Imp) from the Bonnie Brae female family Bonnie Brae Warbash 26.
It was five years ago that Mr Farrawell got sick and was being treated for an inner ear infection.
It was after Sydney Royal that year he sought further specialist treatment to find he had a growth on his spine.
He underwent an 11 hour surgery procedure and then he had to learn to walk again.
And when he walked into the ring to be photographed last Friday, it was with pride!
Both Neville and his former wife Nola are both well known on the show circuit, and when he got his chance to make a phone call it was Nola he rang to share his excitement.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
