It was great to see the cattle station community come together again in mid-November. After a long season, it was time for cattle station staff to let their hair down in Katherine, NT... on Friday night, it was the Govies Gala, celebrating the tireless work of Governesses, Home Tutors and Nannies, where frocks were donned and penguin suits dusted off. On the Saturday, hamstrings stretched and boots strapped on, it was a day of Ringers Rugby 7s.
I love the stories of how both events started and what they've achieved in bringing the cattle station community together...
The Ringer’s Rugby 7’s competition originated as an idea between Bella Leonhardt, a former ringer herself, and her dad, Jim. Jim does mechanical work on many stations across the north, and he rounded up a team of ‘ringers’ from stations to play in the 2019 Katherine 7’s competition.
Well, word spread, as it does along the bush telegraph in the North, and eager ringers willing to travel from across the Territory, inspired Bella and Jim to create a tournament just for the north’s ringers.
So, as a wise daughter and Dad would do, they got Mum, Kylie, involved, and in early November 2021, they held the inaugural Ringer’s Rugby 7s Tournament. This tournament hosted 4 men’s teams and 2 women’s teams. It was a great success, and they're now celebrating their fifth consecutive year.
Held at the end of the season, it has become the perfect opportunity for those in the Northern Pastoral industry to celebrate the hard work for the year and have one last catch-up with everyone before the wet season. Bella says, "We were aware that there wasn’t really anything else for ringers that perhaps weren’t interested in competing in campdrafts or rodeos throughout the year".
Bella and the family are forever appreciative of the amazing community that generously sponsors and volunteers to help get the event off the ground each year.
And it keeps growing... In 2024, they had 360 registered players; this year, they had 440! Comprising 17 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams - players travelled from as far as Camooweal, Alice Springs and the Kimberleys; not to mention hundreds of supporters from around the country at the ground.
The night before, of course, was the Govies Gala, a night of dinner, dancing, fundraising and a couple of frosty ones. It was an idea Meg Watters thought of in August last year, "I thought it would be a top idea to do something for the governesses in the Territory, so we formed a small committee, and with just 3 months of planning, we successfully raised $50,000 for the School of the Air Katherine at the Govies Gala in 2024."
This year, Meg and her committee of 18 have continued to grow the event with over 350 people in attendance (a sell-out!) - raising $65,000 for the Katherine Isolated Children Services (KICS).
A huge congratulations to both the Leonhardt's, Meg and all the volunteers, an inspiration to all - keep up the great work!
Group photos of Rugby 7s by: Hannah Rhodes Photography & Rosie PO
