Koonwarra now the place for cattle sales
16 Oct 07
Wednesday, 8 August saw the final cattle sale at the Korumburra saleyards and the close of a history spanning more than a century. Sheep sales are expected to continue at Korumburra for at least a year.
Hundreds of people, including former farmers who are now residents of nursing homes, joined the buyers, sellers and agents. Many memories were exchanged as people reminisced and following the sale, everyone gathered in the car park for a barbecue.
A total of 600 head were sold on the day and the very last sale was conducted by Greg Spargo who had worked for 40 years at the Korumburra yards. Bidding was furious for the last two Charolais-cross steers, sale proceeds from which were donated to the Korumburra Hospital. An amazing 365c per kilo was reached.
Now to Koonwarra -
In 1979 a small company, Albury Wodonga Design & Construction Services, won the contract on behalf of Gippsland & Northern to design a cattle marketing facility for them. After completing the design, documentation and costing, G&N then asked the Albury Wodonga company owner, Neville Horsburgh, to manage the project which was completed in 1982. The cost was $1.5 million.
KSCC, administrators of this website, were thrilled last November to receive an email from Neville through the "Contact Us" tab on this website. He was preparing his memoirs and asked if it was possible for us to send him some photos of what it looked like now. We happily did so.
And just a couple of snippets from his emails which may interest people:
"You had a couple of questions or comments so let me address those. The "old roof on the ground" was in fact the roof which belonged to the Stud Stock (including horses) Selling Ring which has obviously been demolished. The large octagonal brick building had a multi purpose function providing quality meals for the participants, secondly a Commercial sales centre for animal husbandry products etc. and thirdly office space for agents to conduct their business. The building was the centrepiece of the complex and was an innovative feature which had not been included in any other complex in Australia up to that time.
I planted approx 15 hectares of Radiata Pine which was irrigated using water from the effluent treatment system. I thought I could see some of them in the distance and at least some of the hundred or so trees which were planted by some wonderful volunteers from the local area. I can't remember just who they were but I do remember that that they worked hard each Saturday.
At the time when I was commissioned to do the design for Koonwarra I would have been laughed out of town if I had suggested putting a roof over a Sale Yards."
The Victorian Livestock Exchange, VLE Leongatha, commenced operating in Koonwarra in May 2006. VLE General Manager, Graham Osborne believes the VLE Leongatha complex will delivery efficiency of the scope never seen in Australia, on the back of modern electronic weighing and data recording systems. "Everyone in Australia is watching the project because we're using technology that has never been used before. Therefore VLE Leongatha situated in Koonwarra is leading the world."
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Cows are happier on the sawdust and will present better and lead to higher prices for vendors; buyers and sellers are happier with the undercover yards and the attendees will benefit from the roof on cold days especially when the cattle are being moved.
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The VLE anticipates some 2,500 head per week to pass through the saleyards in the off season and 3,500 December/May. The dairy sale is held every second Monday, bullocks on Wednesday and store cattle alternate Tuesdays.