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Three generations of the Sykes family at Hereford National Show & Sale 2007.
Robert (standing), Peter, Logan (10yrs) & Brandon (12yrs)

L-R: Logan, Taylah, Deanne, Peter & Brandon with their three Champions at the 2011 Hereford National Show & Sale.

Robert & Helen founded Mawarra Herefords in 1964 with females & a sire from the "Norwood " stud of Helen's father, well known cattleman L.C. (Dick) Rogers, their first production sale was held in 1974. Robert was always active in Hereford organisations. He initiated the formation of the Gippsland Hereford Group, becoming its first President, and was for many years a member of the Southern Committee of the Hereford Society, serving a term as Chairman. He sat on the Board of Directors of the Australian Hereford Society for eleven years. Robert has judged at many shows throughout the country. Helen has also been an active member of the Gippsland Hereford Group & the Southern Committee. Robert & Helen were both awarded Honorary Life Memberships of the Gippsland Hereford Group in recognition of their contribution to the Group and wider Hereford industry. Helen worked along side Robert on the farm & attended to the administration & advertising aspects of the business. Robert & Helen were keen supporters of both Royal & Local Shows & travelled extensively throughout Australia, Canada & Europe visiting fellow Breeders. They reignited their interest in travelling while continuing to support Peter & Deanne & their other children. They attended the World Hereford Conference and associated tours, they visited Sweden, Finland, Denmark and also took a short trip to St Petersburg. More recently they travelled to New Zealand and took time out from relaxing (& paragliding!) with family to visit herds there too. Helen continues to support Peter & Deanne and their children as well as spending time with her other children and their families.

Peter & Deanne are now at the helm of Mawarra Herefords. Peter has always shown a keen interest in stud Herefords, & has, on two occasions, travelled to the USA & Canada, gaining further experience working with registered herds there. Peter is past President of the Gippsland Hereford Group, a member of the Wodonga Show & Sale Committee, & has attended the 'Young Guns' conference in Brisbane organised by the Australian Hereford Society. Peter has judged in Victoria, NSW & WA including Royal Show Judging assignments at Melbourne, Sydney & Adelaide.
Peter married Deanne in 1993. Deanne now takes care of the office administration & promotional aspects of the business including full catalogue and website production, utilizing Peter's photography skills. She served a five year term as Secretary of the Gippsland Hereford Group & is currently the President of the Longford Primary School Council. The couple have three children, Brandon (17), Logan (15) and Taylah (12), all at this stage showing a keen interest in Herefords, perhaps there will be a third generation Mawarra Herefords!
Peter & Deanne enjoyed five weeks in Canada during 2009 where they toured twenty herds of Hereford and Poll Hereford cattle. In December 2011 the whole family enjoyed a driving holiday to New Zealand's North Island and visited herds there.

The new Generation at Mawarra

Brandon Hereford National 2011	At age 17 Brandon has a keen interest in Herefords & Cricket. The highlights of his cattle career to date include the 2010 Hereford National Show & Sale where he paraded Mawarra Virginian who was awarded Junior & Grand Champion! He then led Virginian in the Sale ring where he recorded the highest price of the Sale $40,000. At the 2011 National he repeated the feat parading Mawarra Westlife to Senior & Grand Champion. He was proud to stand alongside Peter & Logan parading our three section Champions prior to the Grand Champion announcement. Another highlight was exhibiting a steer at the Royal Melbourne Show. Brandon placed 2nd in a class of 40 in the Junior Paraders & his steer was one of three selected to represent Herefords in the Borthwick Trophy. In 2011 he prepared another steer Humphrey, for the Royal, and was again successful in being selected in the Borthwick Trophy team. Brandon was awarded the Young Herdsperson Award at the 2009 Berwick Show. He has won the Junior Handler Competition at the Bairnsdale Show & competed for placings at numerous others throughout Gippsland. He has competed in the Junior Judging at Berwick for placings & at the Hereford National in 2009 he was awarded 2nd place. Brandon has recently registered his own stud, Mawarra B. His cricket highlights include being promoted to his clubs A Grade team. He also took part in U15 Country Week Cricket, in both 2009 & 2010 representing Sale/Maffra, the team brought home the medallions two years running! The 2011/12 season will see him playing for Collegians Firsts/Seconds, GCL U18's & the Marist team who travelled to Auckland in December & were runners-up. Brandon is currently working on an Agricultural Traineeship in addition to his Year 12 studies.
Logan Hereford National 2011	Logan, age 15, is a very keen worker and especially enjoys the week of the Hereford National each year. His highlight was parading an exhibit for the first time at the Hereford National in 2011. He was very proud to stand in the showring alongside Peter & Brandon parading our three section Champions prior to the Grand Champion being selected. Logan was awarded 2nd place in the Junior Judging at the Berwick Show in 2007 & 2009. He was placed equal fourth at the Hereford National in 2008 and equal third in 2009. He has competed for placings at numerous Junior Handler competitions throughout Gippsland including first at Berwick Show 2008 & 2011. In 2011 he also won the Champion Handler at the Berwick Show. He has paraded many class and broad ribbon winners at Gippsland Shows. Logan sold his first heifer at our sale in 2010. Logan was elected School Captain in his final year at Primary School. He is currently in Year 10 at Catholic College Sale and he also likes playing for his Under 16's Cricket Team. He received the Coaches Award at last season's end. This January he played for the Sale/Maffra team in the U15 Country Week competition. Logan loves getting out and working on the farm either at home or at Pa's in Gelantipy in far East Gippsland.
Taylah & her heifer	Taylah turned 12 in July. She is pictured here with her 10th birthday present, Cherry Ripe 300. Taylah enjoys taking care of the heifer calves and she is very pleased to have a heifer of her own now. Taylah won the Junior Handlers Competition at Berwick Show in 2007. She attended the full week of the Hereford National in 2011 and enjoyed the experience. Taylah is embarking on Secondary School this year and loves playing netball and hanging out with her cousins and friends when not on the farm with the boys. She was elected School Vice-Captain for 2011 & attended a Young Leader's Forum in Melbourne where she learned that you can do anything if you put your mind to it and work hard.

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Mawarra is located on the Rosedale-Longford Road between Traralgon and Sale in Victoria, Australia.
An easy two and one half hours drive from Melbourne International Airport.
Our family welcomes guests at any time please contact us via the
Customer Feedback link or by phone 0408 018 315 to arrange a visit.

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