The 50th Anniversary Gympie Brahman Female Sale raised a cow load of cash for LifeFlight, after two cattle breeders donated $12,500 to the aeromedical charity.
Hosted at the Gympie Saleyards, Rockstar Brahman owners Stuart and Lynda Vollmerhausen donated $2,500 to the service from the sale of five heifers.
Mr Vollmerhausen has a personal connection to LifeFlight after he was airlifted to hospital from his Theebine property in 2023 when he was trampled by cattle.
“My day started like every other and the last thing I expected was a chopper ride to hospital,” Mr Vollmerhausen said.
“It’s a worthy cause to donate to and it’s reassuring to know LifeFlight is available out in rural and regional areas if we ever need it.”
Maryborough-based Brahrock Brahman owners Beryl and Royce Sommerfeld donated $10,000 from the sale of one of their heifers.
“It was a milestone event at the Gympie Saleyard this year and myself, my wife and family decided to donate to LifeFlight because we don’t know when we might hurt ourselves out in the bush somewhere,” Mr Sommerfeld said.
Mr Sommerfeld was also honoured with a Lifetime Membership Award from the Australian Brahman Breeders Association Limited (ABBA).
Along with the recognition for his substantial contribution to the industry, one of Mr Sommerfeld’s grey heifers sold for a record-breaking $62,000 to Stuart and Lynda Vollmerhausen.
LifeFlight Wide Bay-Burnett Community Engagement Lead Aleisha Evans said it was common for LifeFlight crews to attend cattle related incidents in the Wide Bay-Burnett area.
“Recently the Bundaberg-based aeromedical crew airlifted a man to hospital after he was trampled by a steer,” she said.
“This generous donation is very appreciated and we’re grateful for the support of our Wide Bay-Burnett communities.”
LifeFlight has helped more than 90,000 people since first taking to the skies in 1979.
