Sydney Royal Easter Show trip a bright spot in a tough time

Brett and Marissa Woods, of the property Wy Wurrie, have been named as one of two families who have received the inaugural Business Recognition Reward.

Run by the NSW Committee of Angus Australia, the reward is for cattle businesses affected by hardship, such as natural disasters.

Committee secretary Richard Buck said the recipients had been chosen by a panel and would enjoy three days at the show.

Mr and Mrs Woods said they were “over the moon’’ with the prospect of their first visit to the show - a bright spot in a tough time.

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The drought had been exhausting and a financial strain, bushfires had threatened their place and it had only about half of its usual rainfall in 2018.

All this had forced them to cull their herd down to 50 cows and 200 heifers.

“I couldn’t tell you the last time we had a holiday – it was probably for our 10th wedding anniversary two years ago, so it is long overdue,’’ Mrs Woods said.

“We feel really privileged to have been chosen for this award, as we are desperate for a break.

“We are running out of water, with 80 per cent of the dams dry and the springs drying up.

“We are taking deliveries of water and fed stock from May to October when we normally only feed for the six weeks of calving.

“We will start feeding again next month and are hoping to carry all stock through.’’

Mr Woods, who is in the Watsons Creek Rural Fire Service, has been helping neighbours protect their properties - as they've been doing for him.

He said the grind of managing a property and livestock through lingering drought made even this seem "like a bit of a mini-break in itself".

"It is is tiring and stressful, but it does just take your mind off things and gives you something else you have to focus on," he said.

Father and son Jeff and Angus Kirk, of Bolwarra at Condobolin, will also be heading off to the show.

They have battled the drought and family illness to keep their herd intact.