Little Lily Kirk's cancer diagnosis as a newborn and subsequent treatment has inspired her family, and their wider community, to raise funds for the Children's Cancer Institute the best way they know how - a charity auction featuring some of Australia's most sought-after Brahman genetics.
Lily's parents, Taylor and Stuart Kirk, of Hazelton Brahmans, based in Gayndah, Queensland, have masterminded the The Hazleton Brahmans "Cattle for a Cure" Genetics Auction which kicks off on Monday on AuctionsPlus.
Lily Kirk. Pic: Supplied
What was initially thought to be a minor issue with her tear duct was soon discovered to be a rare form of cancer, which Lily’s mother Taylor Kirk was told was a “one-in-a-million chance of occurring”.
Lily's parents, Taylor and Stuart Kirk, consider their family as “rather lucky” as her condition proved treatable.
“We've seen really good results, and the tumour which was once the size of a golf ball, has now shrunk to a point where specialists aren’t sure if the cancer is completely gone. If it’s not, there’s only a little bit left,” Taylor Kirk said.
“We've been really fortunate and lucky, and we met some other people during Lily’s diagnosis who haven't been as lucky as us. We wanted to see what we could do to help.”
Now seven months old, Lily's treatment—including immunosuppressants—has significantly reduced the tumour, inspiring her family to give back in a major way.
This auction marks a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to access some of the rarest and most valuable Hazelton Brahman genetics offered to the public.
Hazelton Brahmans will donate all proceeds from the sale to the Children’s Cancer Institute—and in an incredible show of generosity, with the Kirk family making a substantial contribution to the charity as well.
“We've got some highly-sort after genetics on offer, many have never been released to the public before—and never will again,” Mr Kirk said.
Among the rare offerings is two straws and registrations from BE OS FINEGAN MANSO (ET) (H), described as “the most prolific sire in Hazelton’s history".
Lot 4, two straws and registrations from BE OS FINEGAN MANSO (ET) (H). Pic: Supplied
Finegan’s progeny are renowned for their wide, strong backs and big hindquarters, with his sons making a significant impact on the Brahman breed—including Hazelton All Bull, purchased for $65,000 by leading stud Moongool.
Also available is Lot 1: Two Semen Straws and Registrations from 2AM Beef Wood 7955, the top-priced bull of the 2023 Lancefield Invitational Sale. This polled sire is the son of Brahman Week’s top-priced bull, Cluckan Boabab, further cementing his genetic value.
Lot 2, two straws and registrations from Elrose Exception 19519 (PS). He is polled son of the record breaking NCC Justified who sold in 2017 and broke all Australian records selling for $325,000. Pic: Supplied
Fellow Brahman breeders David and Julie McCamley from Palma's Brahmans have also donated semen straws and registrations to the auction, from two of their most notable sires: Cambil Neptune 6322 and Jaffra Maximus 5129.
Matthew and Mitchell Kirk from Carinya Brahmans have also donated straws and registrations to the auctions. They have donated sites JDH Lord Hershey and JDH Databank, which have been great sires for them over the years.
The fundraising efforts don’t stop at the auction. Taylor Kirk is taking on a 172km walk/run throughout March—a personal challenge inspired by the 86 children diagnosed with cancer every month in Australia.
“I’m doing 172km in March, walking or running,” Mrs Kirk said. “The challenge is usually 86km in May, but I’ve doubled it to push myself further for this cause.”
Mrs Kirk said that supporting the Children’s Cancer Institute was incredibly important to them as learning from their own experience, many other parents aren’t as fortunate as they had been with the treatability of Lily’s cancer.
The Hazleton Brahmans "Cattle for a Cure" Genetics Auction will open on Monday, February 10, and close on the evening of Friday, February 14.
For prospective buyers, this is not just a chance to secure elite Brahman genetics—it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact on families facing childhood cancer. Don’t miss this one-time-only event to invest in the future of the Brahman breed while supporting an incredibly worthy cause.
You can view the auction here: HAZLETON BRAHMANS "CATTLE FOR A CURE" GENETICS AUCTIONS
Donate directly to the Children’s Cancer Institute here: https://www.ccia.org.au/
