Fifty years before, and on the same date, Innaminka and a couple of his brothers and sisters caused a huge amount of interest when the Sutherland family showed the first of the new breed — the Murray grey, developed by family matriach Helen Sutherland — at the Jingellic Show.

Half a century on the award- winning bull’s bloodline will be represented by Peter Sutherland’s prime exhibit at the show, Kambala Z1.

And Kambala will face the same excited crowd that her ancestor experienced.

“This year will be the 50th consecutive year we have shown Murray grey cattle at the Jingellic Show,” Mr Sutherland said.

“That show, 50 years ago, was the first time Murray greys had been shown as a registered breed and the whole family was involved: mum, dad Keith snr, my brothers Keith jnr, MacIan, who is known as “Sapper”, Murray and my sister Dawn, who is now deceased and my youngest sister Fiona.

“I think we had five head there, bulls and females.”

Mr Sutherland said the family did all right at that first show.

“As it was the first time the breed was shown as a registered breed, we had no opposition because we were the only breeders there; so we had to win both female championships and both bull championships,” he said.

“The Jingellic Show was very big in those days, with a lot of sheep and cattle and there was huge interest in the Murray greys, everybody wanted to see them.”

Innamincka was one of the bulls that featured on the day.

“He went on to win Melbourne (Royal Show) four times, so he is the most famous bull the breed ever saw,” Mr Sutherland said.

This year Mr Sutherland will be taking three bulls and four females to Jingellic, including Kambala Z1.

“Two years ago she was all breeds exhibit winner at the Wagga show,” Mr Sutherland said.

“But she got belted in Melbourne last year, she was classed as being too big for the breed, at 960kg; it was her first go in Melbourne.

“The two biggest animals in the breed at the show never got anywhere because my brother Murray had the biggest bull.

“It depends on the judge on the day I suppose.”

The Sutherlands and other Murry grey breeders will not be letting the event pass without it being celebrated.

“It will be very special for us and we have asked all breeders of Murray greys over the last 50 years to come to the show and they are going to be issued with a certificate to confirm that they were in fact breeders,” Mr Sutherland said.

“They can show cattle if they want but we are inviting anyone who was a breeder.

“A lot of the old breeders have died but their families have been connected with the breed.

“And we’re going to put a meal on for all of them.”

Mr Sutherland said the invitation was for breeders Australia-wide but will also feature a special guest.

“Horace McQueen, who in 1969 became the first bloke to take Murray greys into the US, is coming from Texas, where he is still breeding Murray greys,” he said.

Mr Sutherland said he was also delighted Gary Buller would be the judge at the show.

“Gary has the biggest Murray grey stud in Australia,” Mr Sutherland said.

The lunch will take place at the Jingellic showgrounds.

“We have a large marquee, which will take over half the ring,” Mr Sutherland said.

“All the local Murray grey breeders are helping to organise the event and we will have a huge display of memorabilia, going back over 50 years.

“When you get old it is one of the things you’ve got to look forward to; I think it is a wonderful milestone.”