On Monday the 11th of January while Ben and Samantha Glatz along with their two boys Dylan and Jack, were away in Victoria enjoying some much-deserved family time, a fire broke out east of Kingston SE in South Australia before raging towards Lucindale. The Glatz’s property at Avenue Range was completely engulfed.
Unimaginable loss was dealt to the entire property. 100% of pasture was burnt as well as 90% of fencing, 2 hay sheds, all hay and fodder, his shearing shed, with nothing more devastating than the loss of 250 stud Angus cattle from their Glatz’s Black Angus herd. The Glatz’s herd represents 25 years’ worth of successful breeding and is approaching its 14th annual bull sale. Thankfully, the family home was saved.
Ben’s involvement in the beef industry is life long and far reaching, coming up through the ranks of the SA Junior Heifer Expo and Angus Youth, to establishing Glatz’s Black Angus Stud. Ben is also an accredited ultrasound technician, traveling throughout WA, VIC and SA doing his scanning work.
The Glatz’s have exhibited their Angus cattle at the Sydney Royal Show and Sale, Melbourne and Adelaide Shows and been a big supporter of the steer competition’s, supplying many steers to schools.
A GoFundMe page has been established by the SA Angus committee as a platform to help the Glatz family get back on their feet, allowing an opportunity to support Ben, Samantha and their boys financially in their very long road to recovery.
If you would like to support in other ways, such as fodder, fencing, etc please feel free to do so.
Contact Brad Lucas, SA Angus Chairman on 0438 389 223 to contribute.
Feature Image: Ben Glatz (right) is pictured with David Bolton at the 2019 Incitec Pivot Royal Melbourne Angus Feature Show. Image: Emily H Photography
