A group of dedicated campdrafters in western Queensland have pulled together a new event to raise funds for charities across Australia.
The very first Hughenden Campdraft 4 A Cause was held last weekend, raising money for the Dolly’s Dream charity.
Donating $10 from each first round nomination and conducting a charity auction with all proceeds being donated, the event raised $15,800 for Dolly’s Dream.
Event secretary Kimberly Johnson, Ormonde, Hughenden, said despite the date having to be changed due to rain and 300 nomination scratchings as a result, the weekend was a huge success.
“At certain times, like especially when we did presentations, you’d get a bit teary, but it was really nice,” Kimberly said.
“Jaye Hall donated a bush bronze for the Open Draft and it was of a horse and a girl to represent Dolly, so it was a bit sentimental.”
The idea was originally thought of by Kimberly’s husband, Barry, and Kimberly said a lot of people wanted to be involved in the campdraft.
“It’s just something that is close to home because we’ve all got kids,” she said.
“Our kids are growing up and it won’t be long until they’re at the life stages of Dolly and could possibly go through the same thing.
“It just gives you a really nice feeling to think that our small part could play in preventing something like that happening to other kids in the future.
“I know it’s not a huge donation but it was a lot of hard work, and time and effort went into running the event and I think that any small amount or donation will help.”
Cattle for the weekend was supplied by Johnson Pastoral Company, with almost 800 head being brought in from properties in the Hughenden district.
The charity auction included a horse breaking-in fee donated by Will Durkin and Laine Bennett, a stallion service fee to Edenvale True Blue Tejon donated by Nick Van Lathum and Joella Hewitt, a stallion service fee to Willdraft Accurate Acre donated by Barry and Kimberly Johnson, a cowhide rug donated by Josh and Kasie Scott, and a firepit/cooler donated by VCV Townsville.
Other items were donated by Honeycombes Townsville, Mama's Cafe, Lindy Hick Photography, Living the Dream Photography, Ian and Virginia Francis, Nathan and Danielle Butcher, Donahues Townsville, Lloyd and Wendy Hick, Comiskey P3 Equine Therapy & Equifeast Supplements, Suncorp Townsville, and Dan Morton.
The weekend also included a ‘Do It For Dolly’ day on the Saturday, with people encouraged to wear blue to show their support.
Kimberly said there wasn’t a person on the grounds that didn’t wear blue in some form or another.
“There were kids that had dyed their grey ponies’ tails blue and written on their rumps and had blue glitter.”
Campdraft 4 A Cause aims to run a charity campdraft each year and choose a different charity each time to donate proceeds to.
