A highlight of the dinner celebrating the successful conclusion of the 89th annual Berridale Merino ewe competition was the public announcement of sponsorship by the rural business banking arm of ANZ.
Andrew Treweeke – Agribusiness Manager, ANZ Rural Business Banking – Agribusiness, Goulburn was pleased to make the announcement, affirming the commitment of the bank to supporting pro-active rural events.
“It is most important to encourage positive events like the Berridale Merino ewe competition as a forum for assisting in lifting the production of agricultural enterprises,” he said.
“The idea being that the funds are used to help the committee grow the events through the encouragement of younger generations into Agribusiness.”
Mr Treweeke presented a cheque for $8,100 to the Berridale Agricultural Bureau and looked forward to a long relationship with the Monaro-based event.
Vice-president of the Berridale Agricultural Bureau, Lawrence Clifford was ‘over the moon’ with this announcement.
“We will be able to keep going and encourage more interest in our competition,” he said.
“Perhaps some field days in association will lift the profile of the Merino on the Monaro.”
Mr Clifford noted the sponsorship is timely, with the Berridale Merino ewe competition staging its 90th event next year.
“We are working on making it a great occasion, and encourage more wool growers to take part,” he said.
“We also hope will get many people form other areas to attend because it is a significant milestone and an opportunity to look over flocks across the Monaro.”