A SCORCHING morning only added to the warm and friendly atmosphere that greeted the official opening of the new Bartholomew & Co Beaudesert Saleyards on Saturday.
A full yarding of cattle at about 1000 head was equally matched by a packed crowd of buyers, vendors and guests who arrived to mark the historic occasion.
Three generations of the Thomas family from Laravale - grandfather Allan (centre), David and grandson Gregory - witness another slice of local history. Click this image to see more photos in our online gallery.
The saleyards were officially opened by Federal Member for Wright Scott Bucholz, State Member for Beaudesert Jon Krause and Scenic Rim Mayor John Brent.
An emotional Roy Bartholomew said the new yards could not have been made possible without the support of Scenic Rim Regional Council, the community and his staff.
"They are more like family," he said. "That's a big part of the success of Bartholomew & Co - we're more like family than co-workers and everyone whistles as they come to work because we love what we do."
Cr Brent said the livestock industry was a key pillar of the Scenic Rim's agri-economy.
"The opening of this new complex is a vote of confidence in the future of an industry , which injects more than $70 million into the Scenic Rim's $160 million agricultural sector," he said.
