Jenny Fellows with the Tradie team responsible for the Big Red Rooster, Maddie Campbell, Tom Kempe, and Pat Campbell.
Four teams of tradespeople swapped their usual worksites for the Deni Ute Muster arena, putting their skills to the test while raising valuable funds for local students through the Country Education Fund Edward River Region.
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Tradie Challenge teams spent six hours constructing ‘The Great Aussie Chook Pen’ on Friday, with each team tasked with designing and building a practical, transportable and visually appealing chicken coop.
The challenge required participants to create a structure that was safe, weather-resistant and functional, while also incorporating up to five additional items of their own choosing to help their design stand out from the competition.
And the weather-resistance was tested immediately, with teams working through consistent rain and mud pools.
Barham team, Three Blokes One Coop, secured the title and the $2000 first prize.
On Saturday, all four projects were auctioned off, with Geoff McCallum from Nutrien driving the sale and strong bidding raising a total of $3100.
The highest bid of the day was secured by Kerry and Amanda Lolicato, who purchased the ‘Feathered Arms’ chook pen for $1,350.
Other successful bidders included the Chalmers family at $650 for the ‘Conargo Hotel’ coop, Jenny and Paul Fellows at $600 for the ‘Big red Rooster’ pen, and Savannah Mitchell at $560.
Edward River Country Education Fund treasurer, Wayne Bradley, said the organisation was grateful for the support shown by the Deni Ute Muster and the wider community.
"We're very fortunate. The Ute Muster provide fantastic support, and we're appreciative of what they do for local youth," he said.
Proceeds from the auction will be matched dollar for dollar through a CEF campaign, effectively increasing the total value of the fundraising effort to $6,200.
"That money goes directly to scholarships," he said.
Mr Bradley said scholarship applications remain open for local young people aged between 17 and 25, with applications closing at the end of the month.
For details and the link to apply, go to cef.org.au/foundations/edward-river/.
