Guests start to gather.

As the sun slowly started to disappear in the Queensland Outback sky, 150 people gathered at the Australian Stockmen’s Hall of Fame, Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill for a night of remembering and paying tribute to those who worked the land we call home. It was also a time to hear the voices of those who continue in the rich traditions of working the land and the next generations who will carry on the traditions and legacy of those men and women, rich with knowledge of country and place.

The Stockmen brought together a diverse mix of old and new, human and animal, city and country in a great evening of food, beer and conversation.

Throughout the day, the Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill was filled with cattle, sheep, working dogs, yarning areas, installations and settings depicting the wonderful outback.

Rob Lawson, Poet.

The night began with a reading of Mary Mackellar’s ‘My Country’ read by local poet Rob Lawson.  Entering with Rob on horseback was Tony MacWhinney from the Australian Agricultural College.

Tony MacWhinney

Neale Stuart was our entertaining host and, throughout the night, kept the discussion lively and engaging.  Ready to share a story or two, he was always at the ready with microphone in hand!

Tony Jackson and his working dogs!

Tony Jackson and his working dogs put on a great display, showing what it really takes to be a good dog on the land! They first rounded up the ducks into their tunnel and finally into their cage then moved onto bigger things! While there were initial sharp breaths when the sheep came out, never fear…it was all under control.

In conversation with David Brook and Peter Schmidt.

First to join Neale onstage were two founding members of OBE (Organic Beef Exports) David Brook and Peter Schmidt. David has recently been appointed the Chairperson of the Board for the Australian Stockmen’s Hall of Fame. Both spoke strongly of the history of OBE and its integral contributions to opening up the industry both nationally and internationally. They spoke of the company’s beginnings, its grounding in family business and its future goals.

Frank Correnti was then invited to share his techniques and tricks of the trade working with organic beef. The entrée, slow braised OBE organic beef shin, red claw crayfish salad and smoked tomato vinaigrette went down a treat!!

The entree.

Rob Lawson then shared with the audience some of his original poetry and spoke about why he loves the bush and why it will always be home.

Guests were then able to dine on the main meal… Slow roasted OBE organic sirloin rubbed with Middle Eastern spices with  carrot-parsnip bake, salsa verde & port wine-verjuice reduction.

Neale Stuart, James Walker and David Brook.

David Brook then started the conversation with a representative from the next generation of  young farmers, James Walker. James had some wonderful insight to continuing in the proud family tradition of working on the land and gave some overviews and thoughts on the ups and downs and the joys of working in the outback.

To wrap up the menu, Frank created a traditional pavola with a twist… old fashioned pavlova with passion fruit cream & mixed berries.

The evening finished with a final acknowledgment of the menu and its chef, Frank Correnti, then Neale invited guests to peruse the materials made available in the cottage by the State Library of Queensland, OBE and the Agricultural College.

By the fire with Gordon Storer.

Some lucky patrons were able to sit by the campfire with Gordon Storer and enjoy his stories of living, working, loving and being out in the bush.

The Stockmen was a wonderful event, supported by the Australian Stockmen’s Hall of Fame and its incredible team of staff on the floor, behind the bar and in the kitchen.

For more images go to flickr.