Welcome from new President
Presidents Report April 2020
As I sit to write my first President’s report, we are facing what is one of the most unprecedented situations in modern day Australia. The COVID-19 crisis will certainly cause significant problems for Australians that will take some years to recover from. I wish to extend my best wishes and hope that you and your family are coping well at this time. Lindsay Fox once said that if you have family, friends and faith you can overcome any hurdle that comes your way. Seemed to work for him!
On a positive note we have seen the end of the worst droughts on record. Gelbvieh breeders through New South Wales and Queensland have received good rains and can start the rebuilding of both businesses and herds. It won’t happen overnight, but the dedication of these breeders to both the beef industry and the Gelbvieh breed is one that should inspire the rest of us across Australia.
We recently held our AGM and Forum where we had strong attendance. Our new Executive Officer Katrina McKemey did a great job in organising the event and I would also thank Sarah Buttsworth from Neogen for her attendance. Sarah’s talk on what Neogen can do for us as a breed as well as helping individual breeders with DNA submissions and testing was terrific. We welcomed two new councillors in, Annie Minehan and John Pugh. I would like to welcome Annie Minehan. Annie hails from Miles in Queensland and operates the Kevlor Gelbvieh Stud. Annie has exhibited cattle at numerous shows including EKKA where last year her bull Kevlor Nitro N216 was sashed Reserve Senior bull. She is keen to have input into the future of the breed and I think will grab the opportunity with both hands. I’d also like to welcome John Pugh onto council as well. John was the founding principle of Summit Gelbvieh Stud in Narrikup, Western Australia. John and the Pugh family have had a decorated history in showing, carcase competitions and in running a successful annual sale where they sell both purebred and composite Gelbvieh cattle. John has left a lot of the day-today operations to his four daughters who are all capable cattlewomen. John will bring experience and business savvy to council which will be invaluable.
We also farewelled three councillors who have done great service to the breed during their time on council. Harriet Pugh was a long serving treasurer on council and her input on a professional level was certainly appreciated. Harriet is taking time to be with her young family, and we wish her well with what the future holds for her.
Michelle Fleming completes a full decade on council and will step down from her position. Michelle is another proud West Australian and passionate Gelbvieh breeder whose dedication to the breed has been absolute. I’m sure Michelle will continue her contribution to the Gelbvieh breed into the future.
And the last but certainly not least is Brice Kaddatz. Brice’s contribution as President over the past few years has been incredible. Brice’s tenure as President has brought some positive change and progression in the breed. He has been in the breed a long time and his dedication and leadership skills are exemplary. The bar has been set high for breeders both young and old to take note of how Brice conducts himself both as a person in a leadership role and as a beef cattle breeder. I offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Brice and hope that he will look back at his time on council with fond memories.
I would like to take this time to thank the councillors for the opportunity to be President. I would like to announce my fellow councillors and their positions are as follows.
- Senior Vice President and Treasurer - Aderian Nixon
- Junior Vice President and Secretary - Ella Anderson
- Junior Co-ordinator - Chris Theron
- Councillors - John Pugh and Annie Minehan
- Patron - Clyde Johnson
I would like to congratulate everyone who has accepted positions. I believe the people in these positions are both progressive and have the best wishes of the breed in mind. I would encourage members to contact anyone on council at anytime to discuss any matters that you may have. We are certainly all approachable and would love to take the time to talk to you.
I look forward to the year ahead on council and hopefully we can continue working together to help progress the breed into the future.
Kind Regards
Cameron Cutler