A Shorthorn steer from Phil Burnetts, Crathes Shorthorns, has been auctioned at the Perth Royal Show for $7,000, raising money and awareness for the Black Dog Ride in Western Australia.
The roan steer, Winston 8th, weighed 552 kilograms with 10mm fat and is a son of Crathes Gatling. Winston had earlier been judged as the Reserve Champion steer by NSW judge Craig Gapes.
Purchased by Harvey Beef at the charity auction for $7,000, Harvey Beef’s Kym MacDougall said “that everything was right about Winston for our market.”
The Perth Royal was not the first outing for Winston either. The idea to purchase a steer for the charity auction was the brainchild of Dardanup farmer Peter Milton, who first approached Black Dog Ride founder, Steve Andrews, with the concept in the early days of the foundation.
Since 2010, 7 steers have been purchased and sold at the charity auction, but not before they make the rounds promoting and raising awareness of depression and suicide.
Winston was this year sponsored by Iluka Minerals, a mineral sands company, based at Capel. Iluka human resources advisor Steve Reynolds said the company’s employees chose to support mental health organisations over the last two years and this year chose Winston.
Winston has visited mine sites for RUOK days, raising awareness of mental health issues. Winston, named after Winston Churchill who suffered from depression, has also made appearances at shopping centres, festivals and schools, helping to deliver the important message to the broader community.