CROWDS flocked to the Mountain Cattle sales, but the larger percentage are only there for the journey.
Many hundreds traveled to Omeo, Ensay and Benambra, last week, but why? My only answer is the ambiance of the district, and to catch up with old friends.
This was true for at least one person I spoke with last Wednesday. Richard Gill, Alexander Downs, Merriwa, New South Wales. Mr Gill normally attends the Wodonga feature calf sales in January, but he said he had last been to the mountains way back in 2002.
He said he had friends going to the mountains to watch the sales, and it was a great opportunity to meet with them. Mr Gill travelled for 10 hours to get to Omeo, but never regretted a moment of it.
An Elders agent, and his client, travelled from near Adelaide to Gelantipy, Monday, to buy heifers, a journey of some 12 hours. However, they were adding this to the Bairnsdale sale, Tuesday.
For many Gippslanders the journey is repeated year in year out, and while it may have started for buying of cattle, it is now food and wine, and the scenery, that is the attraction, for some.
Besides this, the obvious purpose for many, is the cattle. Telling the story is equally as exciting, especially seeing the producers being paid for their efforts over the past twelve months.
I travel to Omeo and districts twice, first to do photography for our annual feature, then to return three weeks later to tell the story.
There is nothing like walking out onto the balcony of the hotel in the morning, to a cool, crisp, mountain morning.
For me, it is a long three days; travel, very long hours, and this year, hot and dusty. However, the ends justify the means.
Personally, I am accepted everywhere and anywhere, and have had an invite to stay at one producer’s place next year, to see their farm, and go fishing before the sale.
I did inform them, I am the world’s worst fisherman!
You can revel at the beach, dine in Melbourne, or travel overseas, but for mine the high country gives some of the best, at any time of the year.
Snow, mountain walks, hiking the mountain paths, ans scenery to die for. And of course, the annual Mountain Calf sales.
So many people tell me I must get to the sales, or I haven’t been for a long time. Life is too short, so don’t miss the opportunity next year. It is a sight to behold, when some of country’s best bred cattle are all lined up in a row.