Nice Australian Cattle Drive goals to hit the ‘lengthy paddock’ for nice charity trigger

AT least 1000 donated cattle may hit the Queensland inventory route later this yr as a core a part of a implausible new fundraising initiative designed to feed the needy throughout Australia.

The Nice Australian Charity Cattle Drive launched in Brisbane right now is a BeefBank Queensland initiative to boost funds to feed these much less lucky. Beefbank has a goal of offering 2.5 million plus beef-based meals yearly for Queenslanders in want. Statistics present that one Australian in six now undergo from meals safety points weekly.

The inaugural occasion, which is deliberate to start round August, will centre round a cattle drive of a herd of not less than 1000 head of donated cattle from Longreach to Roma.

After round ten weeks on the ‘lengthy paddock’ travelling 700km, the cattle will arrive in Roma and be bought by way of a charity public sale. Different donated cattle could also be added to the herd in Roma, with out taking part within the drive itself.

Ought to the undertaking obtain its goal, it can generate not less than $1.5 million in proceeds from the cattle sale, delivering 2.5 million beef meals for the Beefbank program.

Already a lot of massive pastoral entities, each company and personal, in addition to skilled service suppliers have dedicated to the undertaking in principal. Extra particulars about who will likely be concerned and the way others can donate or take part within the undertaking will are available separate tales to observe in coming weeks.

Charity Drive chairman Bim Struss, who additionally sits on the Beefbank board, mentioned the germ of the concept got here from Beefbank chairman Andrew Rodgers in October final yr.

The idea shortly took root, and was formally launched throughout a gathering in Brisbane this afternoon.

“This undertaking will likely be an effective way to boost consciousness of the issue with meals safety throughout Australia,” Mr Struss mentioned.

“The meat business has by-and-large had three excellent years, and the undertaking supplies an ideal platform to provide again to the broader group, after itself receiving implausible group help through the 2019-20 drought,” Mr Struss mentioned.

He mentioned the plan was to collect a herd of backgrounder sort steers averaging 300-350kg from varied donors at Longreach for the beginning of the drive. It’s hoped trucking and gasoline firms and others could present help to combination cattle in Longreach, from throughout northern Australia, for the beginning of the drive.

Older readers could bear in mind the 1988 Bicentennial yr cattle drive from Cloncurry to Longreach, which raised funds for RFDS and different charities as a part of the official opening of the Longreach Stockmans Corridor of Fame.

Throughout right now’s launch, Beefbank chairman Andrew Rodgers mentioned the meat harvested from a single beast may present a meal for 2500 needy individuals.

“A small donation from a beef producer can have an enormous impression on the different finish,” he mentioned.

Cattle drive chairman Bim Struss addresses right now’s launch in Brisbane

Mr Rodgers mentioned there was a pure synergy between the meat business and Beefbank, and he wish to suppose it may change into the ‘charity of selection’ for some cattle producers.

The BeefBank charity’s sole goal is to offer beef to Foodbank Australia and FareShare, which in flip distribute to lots of of charitable organisations feeding the homeless and deprived.

In addition to the cattle drive and public sale itself, a number of help actions are being deliberate, elevating additional funds to be used by BeefBank to buy the meat wanted to satisfy the rising demand for protein to handle meals insecurity in each metropolitan and regional communities.

“The occasion is designed to be a novel, beef business and agribusiness sector business pushed, collaborative, multi-level contribution and really sensible fundraising initiative,” occasion director Roger Desailly mentioned.

“It would enhance the lives of tens of 1000’s of Australians who’re struggling to afford high quality, nutritious meals. It would additionally serve to boost consciousness of meals inequity points, particularly in distant and regional areas and interact with and profile the broader beef business as a supporter of charities serving to individuals in want, and producers of one of the best beef on the planet.”

BeefBank and its distribution meals charity companions Foodbank and FareShare will leverage the funds raised by means of the occasion, to create a managed provide pipeline of nutritious meals for Queenslanders in want.

The occasion organisers additionally plan to showcase the distinctive outback way of life, tourism experiences and surroundings alongside the route although a media marketing campaign and presumably a documentary, in addition to internet hosting a lot of related leisure and hospitality experiences and occasions as part of the cattle drive.

There may even be alternatives for supporters, sponsors, companions and the general public to take part in and expertise the cattle drive itself.

The organisers at the moment are in search of to interact with cattle operators, each company and personal, group teams or people who could want to donate or contribute ultimately to the occasion.

Alternatives for people outdoors the meat business to purchase a single beast so as to add to the drive are additionally being explored. Extra particulars will come later, following an official launch.

Beef Central is a basis sponsor and official media companion of the occasion.

Cattle Drive chairman Bim Struss, left, with Steve Drury and Paul Tully from the North Australian Pastoral Co at right now’s launch.

Cameron Gascoyne from Clayton Utz and Bernadette Ditchfield, deputy director normal of the Division of Ag, with Nice Australian Charity Cattle Drive occasion director Roger Desailly, left