The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame held their second annual ‘Stockies Lunch’ at the iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel in Brisbane on Friday March 12.  Guests from as far as Sydney and Alice Springs gathered in Queensland to celebrate a terrific part of our history, raising over $7,000 for the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

 

Guest speakers and entertainment for the day included Australian Bush Poet Murray Hartin and Australian Rugby League icon, and Hall of Fame Ambassador, Shane Webcke.

 

Murray Hartin relived stories of his earlier years of times spent with Bill and Jan Hayes from Alice Springs.  Nicely finished off with Muz’s most famous poem, ‘Turbulence,’ Bill Hayes was then invited to the stage and presented with a Life Membership to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame in front of family and friends.  

 

“I am so honoured to be presented with a life membership to the Hall of Fame,” Hayes said. “My fondest memories are in the stock camp with cattle and horses and this is just a real honour.”

 

Shane Webcke spoke about his strong connections and love of the bush and the importance of preserving bush heritage.

 

CEO Ben Maguire was presented with the original founding documents of the Hall of Fame, donated by Tony Sawrey, son of Hall of Fame founder Hugh Sawrey.

 

Local Longreach identity Matt Nunn, along with Brisbane’s David Bennett kept guests entertained with some great auction items, including an accommodation package to Bamarru Plains and Heron Island as well as an oil painting specially painted and donated to the Stockies Lunch by renowned Queensland bush artist, Tom McAulay.

 

Spirits remained high well into the evening as guests continued on the celebrations of genuine rural Australian culture.

 

The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame would like to thank Bundaberg Rum, Tom McAulay, Wild Bush Luxury, Delaware Parks & Resorts and everyone else that supported the lunch.