Two stalwarts of the Barcaldine Show Society, Jim Miller and Becky Plumb, were honoured with life membership on Saturday.
They were presented with their medals by show president, Ben Chandler, at the conclusion of the grand parade, to much excitement.
Mr Miller has been on the show committee for 54 years, beginning before he was married, in the wool section, and he said the honour was overwhelming.
Likewise, Ms Plumb started in the announcer’s box with Ranald Chandler, recording results, putting in 25 years as secretary, as well as showing horses, dogs and chooks, and being the society’s first Miss Showgirl.
“It’s a really lovely industry to get into, and I so hope the community keeps it going,” she said.
The show saw record entries in a number of sections, which Mr Chander said was a credit to the stewards responsible, as well as improved beef prices.
Cattle at capacity
There were 130 head in the cattle section, and steward Tom Chandler said it was good to see newcomers applying pressure to established competitors.
Charbray bullocks from the Hick family at Mulgrave were judged the champion pen of bullocks, while another entry became the champion pen of steers.
The family also showed the supreme cattle section exhibit and won the aggregate trophy.
A & J Day, Jaccondoll, managed by Gus Carter and Caroline Green, won the champion single steer and champion pen of cow awards in their first year.
The rest of the prizes were scooped up by Chandler Pastoral – champion single bullock, champion single heifer, champion pen of heifers, and champion single cow.
Bimerah’s inaugural win
In its first showing at Barcaldine, Longreach Clark and Tait property Bimerah vied for a number of flock ewe awards with fellow Clark and Tait property at Barcaldine, Barr’s Gully.
The former had the champion pen of lambs and the grand champion pen of ewes, while the latter showed the champion single ewe and had the best local pen of ewes.
The pair shared aggregate honours.
Judge Paul Grams said the 25 pens were holding their condition from the winter herbage, which was surprising considering there had been no summer rain and people were back feeding sheep.
Fleece record
The excellent wool displays featuring at western wool shows continued at Barcaldine, thanks to Paul Grams, who added 25 fleeces from the Isisford wether trial to the collective already travelling the circuit.
They made for a total of 158 fleeces, with the grand championship and reserve going to Barcaldine Downs.
Paul said there were fleeces from as far south as Bunginderry at Quilpie, west to Elderslie at Winton and north to Bonnie Downs at Corfield, and everywhere in between.
“They are showing the effect of the winter rain and the even plane of nutrition,” he said.
While numbers were down in the horse section, the stockman’s challenge was very well supported, with nominations closing a week before the show.