The AWA has been donating to the Royal Flying Doctor Service since 2016 (minus 2020/2021), with an annual charity auction held at the WagyuEdge Conference. Funds raised from the charity auction are split between the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Wagyu Fellowship program.
Highlights of this years charity auction included a once in a lifetime “Miranda Downs muster tour”, hosted by Peter and Jane Hughes. The opportunity for up to 4 people to travel from Mackay Qld on the Hughes’s private plane and spend 3 full days with the muster team at Miranda Downs in the Gulf of Carpentaria, including helicopter mustering, horse and vehicle jobs with several nights around the camp at Miranda was a hotly contested prize for Southerners in the room.
In the end it was Pardoo Wagyu who wrangled the unique experience for themselves. Peter and Jane have supported the RFDS through the AWA charity auction since its inception, with Peter saying “to be able to support RFDS and the AWA Charity Auction is a highlight for Hughes and Georgina Pastoral. We are delighted to be able to provide such a unique experience for this event and hope that the adventure of a Miranda Downs muster provides a truly memorable insight into out wonderful Gulf country.”
| Lot | Item | Price | Buyer |
| 1 | Custom Dubbo Fender Saddle | $16,000 | Georgina Pastoral |
| 2 | Steaks from WBBC 2023 Grand & Reserve Champion and Class Champions | $11,000 | Hughes Pastoral |
| 3 | Miranda Downs Muster for up to Four People | $44,000 | Pardoo Wagyu |
| 4A | 16 Plait Artisan Kangaroo Hide Stockwhip | $10,000 | Arubial Wagyu |
| 4B | 24 Plait Artisan Kangaroo Hide Stockwhip | $9,000 | Sam Pollard |
| 5 | Custom “Rainbow” Japanese Knives and Bespoke Timber Grazing Board | $50,000 | Hughes Pastoral |
| 6A | One side of a fattened F2 steer donated by Brett & Pip Krafft ‘Bald Rock” Tenterfield NSW | $4,000 | Avery Agriculture |
| 6B | One side of a fattened F2 steer donated by Brett & Pip Krafft ‘Bald Rock” Tenterfield NSW | $3,500 | Samfire Wagyu |
Purchasers of Charity Auction Items alongside Sarah Doherty (second right) from RFDS South Eastern Division
As always, the selection of Champion Steaks from the AWA’s 2023 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition was highly fancied by the educated Wagyu connoisseurs within the audience of 600 at the Black Tie industry event. These steaks represent the ultimate eating experiences in Australian Wagyu, being the pinnacle of production from Australia’s leading export brands. Such opulent delights normally adorn leading high end restaurants around the world. After some discussion about which vintage of Grange that these steaks would be best paired with, the highest bidder this year, Hughes Pastoral, now claims bragging rights for what may be 2023’s ultimate BBQ.
The event this year was organised by the AWA’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Ms Emily Rabone, who said “It’s a true privilege to be able to host this event every year for the Royal Flying Doctors Service and our Wagyu Fellowship. The generosity of support from those at our Gala Dinner exemplifies the Wagyu sectors leadership in underpinning support and development across rural Australia”.
Previous funds raised for the RFDS, from total close to $200,000. The 2023 Charity Auction was held at the Industry Dinner for the 2023 WagyuEdge Conference, in Sydney. In the presence of RFDS South Eastern Section Community Fundraising Coordinator, Ms Sarah Doherty, the AWA is proud to announce a total of $147,500 was raised last night, with half of this ($73,750) going to the RFDS South Eastern Section
View the full catalogue of Charity Auction items HERE