Charity bull raises funds for vital service

Lach Harris, Wokolena Pastoral, Wagga Wagga, paid $5550 for Reiland Nelson N1179 to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

A charity bull auction by a southern NSW Angus stud has raised vital funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Lach Harris, Wokolena Pastoral, Wagga Wagga, snapped up Reiland Nelson N1179 for $5550 at the Reiland Angus spring bull sale at Tumut on September 6.

Sired by Kidman Impact K99, the September 2017 drop bull boasted positive calving ease, above average eye muscle area, marbling and a Grain Index of +$140.

The auction started at the upset price of $2250 which was the amount already pledged by businesses Landmark Wagga Wagga, Panorama Accounting and Advisory, Rotor Solutions Australia, Mossvale Motor Group, PGG Wrightson Seeds, Skyfall Angus, AusFarm Nutrition Products, Spring Hill Highland Angus, Outdoor Power Centre Tumut, Lucas Contractors, GTSM and Dick Smith Transport.

Agents waived their commission on the bull and the Lucas family’s Reiland Angus stud donated 30 per cent of the total proceeds.

Nick Gilvarry, Elders Tumut, was a bid spotter at the Reiland sale and paid tribute to the stud’s efforts after experiencing the Royal Flying Doctor Service himself.

“I bunged my hand when I was drafting cattle behind a gate in north Queensland and was flown from Julia Creek to Townsville,” he said.

Medical staff told him if he hadn’t reached a hospital within a few hours, he would have lost his arm.

“I have the Royal Flying Doctor Service to thank for that and am 100 per cent behind any efforts to raise funds for the service.

“Elders already donate a fair bit to the cause and soon as we heard about Reiland’s efforts, we were right behind it.”

Nick has a prominent scar on his right hand but retains full use of it today.

He relocated to the Tumut branch three months ago to specialize in livestock.

In recent years, Reiland has given back to the community by raising funds for the mental health awareness charity, RUOK?, and Wagga Prostrate Cancer Support Group.

Reiland also sponsors Gavin Peaty, Peaty Pastoral, Breadalbane, on his Outback Car Treks to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Mr Peaty said the 2019 6000km event from Renmark to Darwin raised $1.7 million for the RFDS.