Federal Patron and Queensland Branch Life Member, Fred Slatter, celebrated fifty years involvement with the Brisbane Royal Show this year.

Fred is synonymous with Queensland shows and in particular the Illawarra breed due in part to his microphone abilities.  Acting as the Illawarra ring announcer, he has attended Toowoomba Royal, Gympie, Maleny and many other country shows for too many years to count.  This year saw him again behind the microphone at Brisbane Royal although rumour has it, it will be his last show in at least the announcing role anyway. His involvement with the dairy industry and numerous other community groups saw him receive the OAM a number of years ago.

Always by his side is wife Betty, but for some years now it has been a real family affair with son Graeme acting as an Illawarra steward.

Congratulations and thank you Fred.

Below:  Betty and Fred Slatter catch up with Di Pratten (right) of Den Dia Stud at the 2012 Brisbane Ekka.