The camp, co-ordinated by Coonabarabran Rotary Club ran from Wednesday October 15 until Sunday October 19.

James Edwards, Angela Lyall and Ashley

Bartholomew were among the students from Rotary District 9650 taking part.

The first days’ activities commenced with a session on Work Place Safety based extensively on ‘safety in the cattle yards’.

Students were divided into groups of two and introduced to the particular beast they would be handling over the next four days. Emphasis from this point on would be on parading and grooming these animals with a view to having them prepared for a show parade four days later.

The instructors were expertly guided by Chief Instructor Mrs Leanne Nielsen of Rylstone and Mr Martin Lill of Barina Coonabarabran. Instructors were, Lonnie Stone, Colleen Green, Shannon McConnaughty, Tony Elton, Rachael Elton and Gavin Waters.

Our lecturers this year were, Barabara Packett -‘Getting to know You’, Joe Everton assisted by Michael Cox –‘Halter Making’, Arnold McWilliams – ‘Cattle Yard Safety’, Callen Thompson Pursehouse Rural Agronomist – ‘Poisons, Plants and Chemicals’, Ralph Kuhn Coolah Veterinarian – ‘ Herd Management’, Sarah Worms Jurox Pty Ltd – ‘Animal Health and Drenches’, James Flemming Department of Agriculture Agronomist – ‘Pastures’, Stephen Lill Chadwick Downs – ‘Feeding Aspects of Stud Cattle’, Martin Lill Chadwick Downs – ‘Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transplant’, Glen Walker and Sandi Middleton Lynwood – ‘Bio Diversity’, Alex Parsons Coonabarabran Veterinarian – ‘Mad Cow Disease’ and Stewart Rodgers Davidson Cameron and Co – ‘Auctioneering’.

Sunday saw the culmination of the week’s activities with the Grand Parade. Under the expert tutorage of Leanne Neilsen and her group of instructors the students and the cattle were groomed to perfection and impressed the large crowd of supportive onlookers.

The judging for this parade was professionally conducted by Mr Roger Evans of Nagol Park Tamworth NSW who together with the instructors determined the winners of the following prestigious awards;

1. Beef 2008 Award Winner (the most coveted trophy) – Jake Brooks Dubbo

2. Beef 2008 Award Runner Up - Brian Mansfield Walcha

3. Champion Herdsman – Lauren Berecry Inverell

4. Champion Parader – Courtney Boyle Wee Waa

5. Champion Team – Ben Korff Coonabarabran and Emily Johnson Dorrigo

6. Best Prepared Animal – Steffy McMahon Woolomin and Brian Mansfield Walcha

7. Most Improved Animal – Jake Brooks Dubbo and Carl Uebergang Dubbo