COWBOYS COMING TO THE TABLELANDS

As the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys get ready for what they hope will be their year, major sponsor Dairy Farmers is getting some of the team back to Malanda to introduce them to the grassroots of the dairy industry and the families behind the brand.

NRL squad members Dallas Johnson, Tariq Sims and Ray Thompson will be some of the special guests at the Dairy Farmers Community Carnival on Saturday, 28 January which will be held at the Malanda Showgrounds.

First held in 2010 with more than 1000 people attending, the carnival had to be cancelled last year after Cyclone Yasi ripped through the region. 

The Cowboys contingent attending the free event will be involved in a number of community activities, including skills training and drills, meeting Cowboys members and fans, and giving young players the tips they need for a big year on the paddock.

The players will also sit through a gruelling interview panel, with the audience to hear firsthand what their local NRL team has planned for its 2012 premiership campaign.

Howard Smith, Senior Farm Services Officer, Malanda, is looking forward to the event when many of the farming families, Dairy Farmers manufacturing plant personnel and the Tableland community are treated to a great day out.

“After a tumultuous couple of years in the region’s dairy industry, this event shows our dedication to the region and to our farming families,” Mr Smith said.

“To many kids, this is their only opportunity to meet the some of the Cowboys players, get a few autographs and generally just have a great time.

“Our dairy farmers here on the Tablelands produce a large percentage of North Queensland’s milk and very rarely get a day off; it’s a seven day a week job and long hours, so they will enjoy having an afternoon to relax for a change”.

Thompson, who played in every NRL game for the Cowboys last season, said the carnival was a great opportunity to meet the club’s members and supporters on the Tablelands, as well as have some fun at the same time.

“It was really unlucky that Cyclone Yasi wiped out the Community Carnival last year and hopefully we can more than make up for it this year,” he said.

“We’d love to see hundreds of Cowboys fans there and will happy to say hello to and sign autographs for as many as we can.”

The Dairy Farmers Cowboys Community Carnival will be held at the Malanda Showgrounds starting at 1pm. 

The event is free and everyone is encouraged to come and join in the activities. 

There will be great prizes to be won at the sack races, throwing games, giveaways, skills training and drills, jumping castle, sausage sizzle and of course an appearance by Dairy Farmers’ iconic Miss Moo.