After the huge success of the 2010 Herefords Great Aussie BBQ, Hereford Prime will once again be a proud sponsor of the Australia Day celebrations in Hyde Park, Sydney. In 2011, Hereford Prime will sponsor the Big Telly which entertains thousands of visitors to Hyde Park throughout the day. In the Big Telly precinct, Hereford Prime will feature the following activities:
 

• Cooking demonstrations by chefs from leading restaurants featuring Hereford Prime beef and showcasing their tricks of the trade

• Sampling of Hereford Prime beef, where Hereford Prime beef orders will be taken, and

• Hank the Hereford Bull will make another guest appearance for the crowds to enjoy.

Cooking demonstration and sampling times, along with further information about the event will be posted here in early January. 

Hereford Prime was inundated with supporters at the Herefords Great Aussie BBQ in Hyde Park, Sydney this Australia Day with Hereford Prime beef virtually sold out at the “Great Aussie BBQ” and “Aussie Gourmet Grill” outlets.

Despite the sweltering heat, more than 150,000 people strolled through Hyde Park on Australia Day to watch the Hereford Prime cooking demonstrations, to meet Hereford Prime’s Hank the Hereford Bull and to enjoy a Hereford Prime meal.

The Hereford Prime cooking demonstrations were a fantastic success, with large crowds gathered to watch chefs from leading restaurants showcase their tricks of the trade with Hereford Prime beef. The demonstrations generated great interest in our brand.

The “How heavy is Hank the Hereford Bull?” competition proved to be a great success with nearly a thousand entries received – and with answers ranging from 1 kilo to 400,000 kilograms. With Hank weighing a modest 857kg, the two winners were Andrew Johnston from Killara NSW (854kg) and Anneliese Galea from Glenmore Park NSW (853kg).

Hank, who is owned by Hereford Prime, was the perfect superstar as he remained unfazed by the photos, constant comments on his weight and the fact that small children were trying to get him to eat straw from their hands all day long.

Herefords Australia’s “Meet the Grazier” area was popular, with many people taking the opportunity to ask questions about life on the land, cattle breeding and the Hereford breed in particular. Sam Gunn was a natural MC and managed to draw the crowds and keep them entertained while he conducted interviews with representatives from the beef supply chain throughout the day.  Interviewees included Hereford producers, Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa Executive Chef Dwane Goodman, MLA’s Managing Director David Palmer and our own Ant Martin.

The two Hereford heifers in the “Herefords in the Park” area were constantly surrounded by crowds that were three to four people deep, and the children’s marquee was busy with many families enjoying the colouring-in activities, balloons and temporary tattoos.

The Herefords Great Aussie BBQ had fantastic media exposure – including securing pre-Australia Day coverage on all national TV news stations (Channel 7, 9, 10 and ABC) partly due to Hank’s presence and Patrick O’Leary’s whip cracking and bull handling skills.

In the weeks leading up to Australia Day, Hereford Prime also ran two competitions to further promote the Herefords Great Aussie BBQ and Hereford Prime brand. The first was a competition run through the Australia Day Council website for one lucky person each day -from Monday 18 January to Friday 22 January - to win a 3.5kg Hereford Prime strip loin valued at over $100 per pack.

The second competition was a joint promotion between Hereford Prime, the Australia Day Council and 2GB radio station, for 2 couples to win a 4 night country getaway staying at the Dalkeith Hereford Stud and the Quality Parklands Resort Mudgee. The prize also included tickets to the Mudgee Picnic Races and the Mudgee Evening Ball, and an invitation only wine tasting at one of Mudgee finest vineyards – Rosby Wines.

The names of the winners of both competitions will be displayed here soon.

A special thank you to the following people in no particular order for their time, effort and patience to make the day a great success – Christine Unicomb and the team from the Australia Day Council of NSW; Dwane Goodman from Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa; Hilary, Dot and Patrick O’Leary from Remolea Poll Herefords; Warren Clark and Herefords Australia staff; Sarah Morice for her brilliant MC’ing; and chefs Uwe Habermehl, Executive Chef, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre; James Mussak, Prochef International; Rachel McCarthy, Catering & Food Consultant, Mudgee; and John Slaughter, Executive Chef, Sebel Surry Hills.

The Sebel Surry Hills Sydney Executive Chef John Slaugher cooking “Chimichurri Marinated Sirloin, Pan Fried Yamba Prawns,Vine Ripened Tomato & Asparagus Salad” with Hereford Prime beef

Celebrating Australia Day (L-R) Sam Gunn, Sevenbardot Poll Herefords; Ant Martin, Hereford
Prime; David Palmer, MLA Managing Director; Jim Gunn, Sevenbardot Poll Herefords.

Patrick O'Leary lying around on the job!

Hank the Hereford Bull makes his grand entrance at Hyde Park

Patrick O’Leary and Hank, the media stars!

Herefords Australia Chairman Hilary O’Leary, Hank, and Dan Morice from Hereford Prime

Dan Morice with Hereford Prime’s bull Hank, chef James Mussak, and bull handler Patrick O’Leary

Dwane Goodman, Executive Chef at 6 star Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, with Dan Morice on Australia Day. Dwane spoke to the crowd in the “Meet the Grazier” area about how to cook the perfect Hereford Prime steak.

Chef Rachel McCarthy, Mudgee, and MC Sarah Morice entertained the crowd at the Hereford Prime cooking demonstrations

Rachel McCarthy, Catering & Food Consultant, Mudgee doing what she does best with a delicious Hereford Prime surf n turf