Generations of local farmers have rallied behind the Ōhaupō Rugby Sports Club, donating calves for its annual fundraiser. Jesse Wood dropped in on this year’s event, which helps keep the club ticking over during the quiet season.
The event was a good chance for rural folk to catch up after a long spring and relax. Photo: Jesse Wood
For over half a century, the 137-year-old Ōhaupō Rugby Sports Club has enjoyed unwavering support from its rural neighbours, stretching from Hamilton’s outskirts through Waipā and into King Country.
Each year, the club hosts its calf rearers’ day – a tradition that not only brings the community together but also generates vital funds to cover costs when the bar isn’t pulling in revenue.
Insurance, power and general upkeep don’t come cheap, and this initiative helps bridge the gap.
The event has been held at Murray (pictured) and Kathy Jess’ place for 44 years. Photo: Jesse Wood
For the past 44 years, life member Murray Jess and his wife Kathy have opened their Ngāhinapōuri property to host the event, turning it into a fixture on the local calendar. Their hospitality has helped the day grow into one of the club’s most successful fundraisers.
“This year was another fantastic turnout,” says club president and life member Campbell Thomas.
“We had 23 calves on the day, another three waiting in the wings, plus a few extra donations.”
The event isn’t just about fundraising – it’s a chance for farmers to unwind after a busy spring, catch up with friends, and enjoy good food and refreshments.
Some farmers even graze the donated calves for a couple of years until they’re ready for sale at around two and a half years old.
Farmer and passionate club member Andrew Young has been involved for many years. Photo: Jesse Wood
This year, the club welcomed new donors Dan Evans and family, along with Brian Gordon.
Rugby royalty was on hand to celebrate the occasion, with former King Country and All Blacks legend Stan Meads and Waikato centurion Duane Monkley joining in to witness the community spirit.
Fellow life member Brian Matthews says this year’s roundup was one of the most successful yet. He also reflected on how far the event has come since its early days.
“Dad was president of the club at the time. We used to just pick up bobby calves and take them into the Frankton sales. But then we realised we could make more out of it if they were weaners,” Matthews says.
“It’s very good and it’s grown.”
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Thomas says farmers used to have bobby calf pens on the roadside so stock trucks could take them straight to the sales.
“You could put a rugby club flag on your pen and that day’s calves, would go to the rugby club,” Thomas says.
“Some farmers forgot to change their flag and the whole season’s proceeds would go to the rugby club on the odd occasion.”
These days, Perez Livestock picks the calves up from the donors personally.
They’re then taken to be weighed at the Jess’ stockyards.
Rearers head along to the weigh-in and can guess the weight of an average calf.
Longtime supporter Matt O’Connor guessed one right on the dot at 150kg.
The heaviest calf was about 230kg, donated by Julene and Malcolm Fisher – also a life member.
“When I first attended, the event was held in Murray’s round haybarn by his yards after the weigh in,” Thomas says.
“Then probably 15 years ago, we upgraded and went up to Murray and Kathy’s house afterwards.
“That raised the standard a bit and people would be kicked out at 10pm – sometimes they carried on a bit long – lots of old tales and catch ups.”
The calf rearers’ day is a great initiative to raise funds to keep the club running in the summer months. Photo: Jesse Wood
It’s not often farmers leave empty handed either, with many sponsors onboard to supply prizes.
“Murray and I are probably the oldest ones in the club. We took four calves to the Parrott family at Ngaroma [the week after the event],” Matthews says.
“They’ll rear them those calves for a couple of years, then put them into a sale. Some might go to the works. It just depends on what the price is at the time.
“We took them some beer, a few rolls of steak and some prizes from the day.
“The club appreciates what they’re doing for us.”
Waikato rugby centurion Duane Monkley (left) and former King Country and All Black forward Stan Meads catch up at the event in Ngāhinapōuri. Photo: Jesse Wood
The Parrott family previously turned $2000 worth of calves into more than $10,000, a great contribution to the club.
“…it’s such good money for the rugby club. It’s a good start for the season to have that money in the kitty,” one of the organisers, Andrew Young, said.
“When you think about how much money we get each year from this, over 50 years, imagine how much us farmers have donated to the club. Without this [initiative] it’s a lot harder.”
With another successful collection this year, even during hard financial times, the future of the sports club is looking bright as 140 years of being the focal point of the Ōhaupō community beckons.
Ōhaupō Rugby Sports Club president Campbell Thomas is heavily involved in the event. Photo: Jesse Wood
