Riders taking part in a campdraft that raises money for important rural causes were able to make a special contribution to Anzac Day commemorations in Hughenden on the weekend.
In an impressive cavalcade, 80 campdrafters on horseback taking part in Campdraft 4 a Cause joined the town's annual march and paid their respects at the service that took place at its conclusion.
Campdraft organiser Kimberley Johnson said while the event was normally scheduled for April, this was the first time it had coincided with Anzac Day.
It made for a busy weekend for participants, with 820 nominations received for the five-event program at the Hughenden Showgrounds.
Since its inception it's raised funds for Dolly's Dream and Sisters of the North.
It was called off early in 2020, prior to the effects of the COVID pandemic becoming apparent, because of drought, and was unable to take place at the rescheduled time last September so this was the first time it had been run in two years.
This time around it was Little Windmills, the Queensland-based charity that prides itself on helping children who are seriously sick, injured or have special needs, that was the chosen beneficiary.
Kimberley, who set up the charity with her husband Barry, said the needs of families caring for very sick children in the bush was a cause that was close to the hearts of all.
She said that after last year's cancellations, they were on tenterhooks when there was rain about on the weekend but it all went off well.
Little Windmills is set to receive around $15,480 from the weekend.
Local rider Kerry Turner and her black mare, Country Life won the open draft while Brett Hick and Zulu won the highest cutout prize.
Kerry was also the highest scoring lady while Barry Johnson was the highest scoring local rider.
Kimberly said they had supplied the 1200 cattle needed for the event and it was their eventual aim to stage the draft on-property at Boonderoo, north of Hughenden on the all-bitumen Porcupine Gorge Road.
"It means we wouldn't have to take all the cattle into town," she explained. "So far we've got an arena set up."
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
