Springsure Cattle Camp offering extra opportunity

For the first time, the camp was offering students aged 13 and above the chance to complete four subjects of the Certificate II in Rural Operations. 

Mikaela, 16, is a keen cattlewoman and started her own Droughtmaster stud in 2015. She said the camp was more than just about learning – it was about networking as well. 

Mikaela said having the chance to have parts of the certificate signed off at the camp was “pretty great”. She will be able to complete the rest through her school, Sarina State High School, where she is in Year 12. 

A total of 17 of the 67 camp attendees enrolled in the course, and were able to check off four components of the Livestock Handling Skill Set section, which included providing feed for livestock, identifying and marking livestock, care for health and welfare of livestock, and handling livestock using basic techniques. 

It was run in conjunction with the Beenleigh State High School and Springsure State School.  

All of the attendees came from around Central Queensland for the three days, which focused on all aspects of showing cattle and caring for cattle, just in time for the CQ show circuit to kick off next week.

The camp wrapped up on Tuesday, and Mikaela said it was always a great few days of her Easter school break.

“It’s educational, and it’s amazing to get to learn from different breeders and about different breeds,” she said. 

She said her love of cattle began as a child growing up on sugarcane and cattle properties, but going into Droughtmaster stud breeding was because of a “love of the breed”. Now with five registered beasts and calves due to drop this year, she said she hoped to continue with the stud breeding program as she prepares to leave school and head to university. 

Her mum, Wendy Gauci, said she had no reservations about the importance of the camp for Mikaela. 

“I see the passion she has for it, and I just want to support her as much as I can.”