By Linda Mantova, photos by Kent Ward and Lena Harms.
Ryley Gibbs is a young man with a big heart.
The 17 year old from Biggenden has been around cattle all his life, growing up on his family’s 1417 hectare property owned by his parents, Peter and Sue, and grandparents, Len and Sandra, which is home to the Muan Brahman stud.
Ryley has tried his hand in the show ring in the past, but one show in particular is very special to him.
As a member of the Isis District State High School cattle team, he befriended the sister of a student from his school, who was very keen to have a go at showing cattle.
Enter 12 year old Matilda Bock, who was born with Ataxia Telangiectasia and is confined to a wheelchair.
“Her mum, Amber, always brings Matilda around the school,” Ryley said.
“Matilda has a real passion for cattle, and I’ve always gotten on really well with the little girl,” Ryley said.
The Year 12 student took Matilda under his wing, and spent time with her teaching her some of the tricks of handling cattle.
“I’d previously led cattle with Matilda using some of the school heifers and I told her I was going to break one in for her,” he said.
And true to his word, that’s exactly what he did.
Ryley broke in Muan Diplomat 7743 from his dad and grandfather’s stud, which took him about a month, during holidays and on weekends.
The culmination was the Fraser Coast Agricultural Show at the Maryborough showgrounds back in July, where Ryley wheeled Matilda around the ring while she led the heifer for judging.
“She just loved it and was through the roof. She received an encouragement award,” he said.
“I really enjoyed it and I’d love to stay in touch with her.”
This year was a big one for Ryley – attending his first Beef Australia event, leading one of his own cattle, and bringing home two ribbons.
He also finished his Year 12 exams and is hoping to be accepted at the University of Queensland, Gatton campus, to study for a Bachelor of Agribusiness in 2025/2026.
Ryley has already started his own red Brahman stud, establishing RPG Brahmans two years ago.
He has eight head to his name, and has big plans to expand his numbers once he finishes school and university.
His family’s Muan stud recently sold the top priced red Brahman bull at the Rockhampton Brahman Week Sales, parting with 26 month old, Muan A Corvette 7788, for $90,000. Corvette was the first bull that Ryley had ever broken in, so he was, understandably, over the moon with the result.
“His dam is probably our pick donor, and she was born to a recipient house cow, so she was always pretty close and dead quiet,” Ryley said.
“Corvette was her first natural calf and from there we weaned him and I broke him in on my own. I took him to Beef with Chris Turner and Clinton Warren. When he placed third in his class at Beef, I was pretty happy.”
However, the next time Ryley breaks in cattle will be in three years time at Beef 2027, as he plans to concentrate on his studies over the next three years.
“Granddad, dad, and Chris will be looking after my cattle while I’m away studying, but I will be back and forth to home,” he said.
When asked what his ten year goal was, he replied: “To have a really good consistent line of cattle…not a huge herd, but just meaty, fertile and correct cattle.”
