When most people retire they want to kick back and relax or go on that vacation they have always dreamed about.
This isn’t the case with John Rodd.
A retired cattle breeder, Mr Rodd is truly an inspiration as in his retirement he has been selflessly giving back to the community.
Along with his two daughters Nicole and Kimberly they have raised thousands of dollars for the McGrath Foundation, Country Hope and the Willans Hill School in Wagga Wagga.
The Rodd family prepares and then auction off Murray Grey steers with all proceeds given back to different charities each year.
They are gearing up again for their next charity run, this time heading to the Canberra Royal Show where their Murray Grey steer will be judged and auctioned in the Hoof and Hook competition on February 23.
All proceeds this year will be going to the Prostate Cancer Support Group in Canberra, a charity close to home for Mr Rodd.
“We try to pick a different charity each time and we chose the Prostate Cancer Support Group as it is an illness that affects a lot of men,” Mr Rodd said.
“The same day I agreed to donate to the Prostate Cancer Support Group, a close friend of mine was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“Thankfully he is now recuperating, but it does make giving back to this charity a bit more special,” he said.
The ACT Prostate Cancer Support Group Inc (PCSG) is a volunteer organisation with about 60 members and is affiliated with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Their primary role is to help men with prostate cancer and their families as they deal with the consequences of this disease which kills around 3000 men every year.
They also hold regular information seminars to actively promote awareness about the disease on the basis that early detection and treatment greatly improve the chances of a successful outcome.
In December 2011 Mr Rodd and his daughters raised and auctioned off a charity steer for the Willans Hill School that reached $13,500, this
is a figure Mr Rodd hopes to well and truly
exceed.
“We are hoping to get as much support from buyers and raise a substantial amount to give back to this deserving charity,” Mr Rodd said.
“Monty” is a ten month old Murray Grey steer weighing in at 388kg and was generously donated by Dr Sandra Johnson from Yass and the feed was also donated locally by Evan Fryer of Wantabadgery.
This will be Mr Rodd’s seventh charity steer to be auctioned at the Canberra Royal Show and there is no slowing down in the future according to Mr Rodd.
“Cattle have been my life,” he said.
“My daughters are also cattle breeders, which is really nice as it makes it a family affair.
“I love working with the cattle and as long as I am still breathing I will keep giving back to the charities, it really is so rewarding.”
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