Now ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey may have the delights of New York and Washington to comfort him, but we’re betting he was missing not being in Cloncurry on Thursday.
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Mr Hockey had been the special guest to the annual Cloncurry Cattlemen’s Dinner for the last three years but this time his place of honour was taken by the raucously funny “lambassador” for Meat and Livestock Australia Sam Kekovich.
Though his speech was peppered with bovine references to “Jacqui Lambie” and the “Lambshank Redemption” Mr Kekovich didn’t mind being in beef country for once.
“I get to eat lamb about 20 times a week so you can’t believe how good that wagyu beef tasted here tonight,” Mr Kekovich said.
Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell reminded everyone of why 300 people had gathered to the Community Precinct for the event, which is a prelude to the Cloncurry Show which began on Friday.
“We’re here to celebrate the pastoral sector of our community and local beef producers and to recognise the valued sponsors of the show,” Cr Campbell said.
“I’d like to thank the show president Edwina Shepherd, her committee and their dedicated team of volunteers, without them there would be no show.”
The MC for the night, outgoing Cloncurry Shire Council CEO David Neeves introduced the two contenders for Miss Cloncurry Showgirl, Westpac employee L’Nara Collard and state school home economic teacher Megan Gartside and asked a series a questions to the two young ladies to help with the showgirl judging.
The 2015 winner Rikki Frazer said being Miss Showgirl meant being an ambassador for the show and for your region.
“When I was at Brisbane (for the state finals) I was there for the northern industry of agriculture, where we’re going and where the possibilities of growth are,” Ms Frazer said.
The winners in the six cattle categories of the Cloncurry Show were also announced on the night with Stanbroke taking out the grand champion award for a pen of three export cows.
Other winners were Melinda Downs, Buffalo Plains, Gipsy Plains and Nardoo.
For more pictures from the Cattlemen’s Dinner turn to page 18.