The Rockhampton Grammar School show cattle team will continue a proud association with Beef Australia when the 2018 event arrives in Rockhampton in May.
The RGS Show Cattle team this year has 35 students, many who will attend Beef for the first time, and are in their first year of showing cattle as year 7 students.
Beef 2018 also marks the introduction of the school’s new brand, RG1.
RGS head of agriculture and home economics, and teacher in charge of the show cattle team, Hardy Manser, said RGS students had the opportunity to participate in a home field event, proudly showing cattle, learning about the latest developments in the beef industry and meeting industry leaders.
Mr Manser said the RGS students will also be engaged in every aspect of Beef this time around, with 12 of the cattle being housed at Beef during the event in the school’s very own pavilion.
“RGS primary and secondary students will also engage with the Beef Australia education program, while students from the school’s hospitality program will assist with service and catering in the various corporate tents around the site, including partnering with Elders in hosting their guests during the event,’’ Mr Manser said.
“Student facilities will be displayed as a part of the Belmont property tour, and the school’s Certificate III in Agriculture students will engage with industry looking at the latest best practice and partnering up with industry mentors as a part of the Graeme Acton beef connections mentoring program.”
Mr Manser said Blue Ribbon Stockfeeds would also continue to support the RGS agriculture program through feed, nutritional advice and educational experiences.
“RGS will also play host to various teachers from across the state in undertaking site visits, and professional development where possible, in partnership with the Queensland Agriculture Teachers Association.”
In addition, RGS, in partnership with Suncorp Bank, presents Celebrating Women in our Rural Industries, a Beef Week breakfast conversation with five leading professionals. Compered by RGS’s Rachael McDonald, the panel will discuss innovation, trends and opportunities for and created by women working across the wide span of rural industries.
Featured speakers include Longreach’s Joy McClymont, Off the Track Training; Moranbah’s Beryl Neilsen, founder of the Winchester Foundation which helps young rural students with the education needs; Albury’s Lucinda Corrigan, a Women in Australian Agribusiness Leader in 2014 and in 2016; Mareeba’s Shannon Landmark, a vet and a member of the Queensland Alliance for Food and Agriculture and Innovation; and leading photographer Edwina Robertson, Toowoomba.