The Australian Wagyu Association has shown its support of the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) by donating almost $50,000 to the organisation.
Presenting a cheque worth $49,375 at the RFDS site at Ekka last week, Australian Wagyu Association chief executive officer, Dr Matt McDonagh, Armidale, said he was delighted to hand over the money on behalf of the Wagyu industry.
“The Wagyu industry spans the whole of the country; we've got cattle from Tasmania right up to the Gulf and into the Northern Territory, so all of our Wagyu community understand the value of the Royal Flying Doctors Service,” he said.
Raising the funds through a charity auction at the annual Wagyu conference gala dinner, Dr McDonagh said it was an opportunity for members to give back.
“This is an opportunity for our members to provide back to this valuable resource that supports the health and well-being of our community,” he said.
Dyan and Richard Hughes, Wentworth Cattle Company, Clermont, said they weren’t going to miss the opportunity to support the RFDS, purchasing the first ever Cattle Baron board game, which was launched by Beef Central at Beef Australia 2018, for $10,000.
“We wanted to make a donation and I get a bit sick of football jerseys and all that sort of stuff and it was the first one of that board game and I thought well why not,” Mr Hughes said.
“I didn't expect to pay that sort of money, but there was a certain sister-in-law that was determined she wanted it too.”
Queensland RFDS board member, Bruce Scott, said the organisation was grateful for the support from the Wagyu industry.
“We're blessed with people like the Wagyu association and the Hughes' and other families who give so generously to make sure we can keep the flying doctors flying,” he said.
