Arrived Rockhampton 6^th of May. Picked up the car and header West I stayed the night at Wowan, in the only accommodation, The Commercial Hotel. Great place to stay with really good host and hostess with lots of friendly locals. From there I headed to Rolleston. Again booking into the pub. Good hosts and great food. Very interesting country with big open paddocks and clumps of trees. Rolling hills and quite large areas of cropping such as Sorghum, winter wheats at the moment and large rows of cattle fodder that looks like orchards. Am told it is an introduced plant that has fantastic fattening qualities.

The Rolleston ground is a large well-groomed oval with new cut out and run in yards. The cut out yard would have been twice the size of our Hamilton pen.

Great set up and good viewing stand for overall look. The cattle were mostly Brangus or Braham. A few crosses if Angus, Charolais, Santa and Murrey greys. Very fast on the whole but with a large arena and a very generous gate, lots of full scores.

Maiden runs were about 247 riders and maybe 45 second rounders. Open 1^st round followed with about170 runs and 30 odd in the 2^nd round. I judged the jnrs ( about 9and Juvs. (about 9). Theses kids are good!. Day two saw the ladies, novice and restricted open. WOW!

I was blown away to actually see horses like Roanies Chex, Lou Diamond Phillips and Marney’s Destiny run. Many good horses and noticed a lot of  quarter horse influence. Only one paint horse there and they were really quite vocal when that came into the camp…I kept my trap shut!. Not even very many greys there.

 Left Rolleston late Sunday and headed to Springsure. What an amazing place. Did the tourist thing there the next day and ran into more fascinating people from the horse world and farming.

Next night at Rubyvale. Found some lovely gems there!!! From there Capella and then Emerald.

Caught up with Richard (son) and Ewan there and had a couple of days looking about. Again even panned for Sapphires and got some. Very addictive work. Not that I paid for the trip.

Off to Dingo. A very different set up for drafting. LOVED it. Cattle that actually could clear the fence in the cut out if they liked. The fence was over my head when I stood next to it. What riders! Lots more variety in the horse. And the kids were everywhere. I only judged the Jnrs (16 of them). I would be honoured to be taught by any of these kids. They are incredible.

Also met “Cirrus’s” twin, but only 10 hh. She had 3 kids on her at one stage. Just plodding about. Did laugh at the freak and shy the “Destiny” string of horses had as she walked past. Didn’t worry the little thing at all.

 Lots of games run on the p.c. grounds next door in the morning and I loved helping with that. Would be good to be able to do something like that in Tas. Also they always score the jnrs outside. Great as an encouragement. They all have full time to run outside and are never cracked off unless it is dangerous. Works well.

 Again saw many horses and riders we always hear about, but have a dozen I will always remember and admire.

 Great to be home again!. Jane