2018 will mark 30 years of Beef Australia. It’s been an evolution on a grand scale.
From a one-off bicentenary event in 1988 to arguably the world’s leading beef and cattle show in just 30 years, and we only come to town once every three.
This event is the sum of people, the larger than life characters who make up our great industry, who polish their boots, brush the dust off their hats and make their way to Rockhampton every three years.
So many of these people have been mentors to me. Building on an expo, that has been touched by them, is a hurdle that just keeps getting higher.
Eric Nobbs exhibited the grand champion pen of bullocks at that very first expo – they sold for the mighty price of 135c/kg.
I was fortunate to catch up with Eric at Beef ’15, and he said he liked what we had done.
We’ve had our share of celebrity from Bryce Courtney speaking and Hugh Sawrey judging the art in ’91 to Michelin Star chefs from around the world in ’15.
We’ve had world records, arguably none greater than Ned Winter’s world record camp oven feast for 2500 people in ’94.
We’ve weathered some tough times, Graeme Acton ran an expo like no other when Rockhampton was on its knees during the almost two-year closure of Lakes Cr in 2003.
This event breaks down barriers and all of industry embraces the celebration.
It’s an event that never fails to lift our industry.
Let the evolution continue – be there to help us celebrate 30.
Visit our website www.beefaustralia.com.au and, of course, keep in touch on social media.
