Rookies receive tips from cane cutting champ ahead of national titles

It’s normally the team at Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) giving tips to cane farmer Mark Vass, but the roles have been reversed ahead of Saturday’s Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships.

QSL Burdekin’s Greg Watson and Kristen Paterson, joined by their QSL Brisbane teammates Barb Roberts and Ginette Barrett, will race to cut 60 metres of cane by hand when they compete in the inaugural Corporate Challenge.

Eager to get a leg up on the competition, Greg and Kristen visited Mark – a two-time Under 35 Years hand cane cutting champ – at his farm this week.

Mark took out the title when he first entered the back-breaking championships seven years ago and says he’s only ever missed one year due to a shoulder reconstruction.

“My three tips would be never grab more cane than you can cut in one swing; stack the butts right; and strap your hands.”

When asked if blisters were a risk, his answer was simple.

“Oh you’ll get blisters; you’ll get blisters everywhere.”

For Greg, the sugar cane industry is in his blood.

His father and uncle both worked as hand cane cutters in the Burdekin before mechanisation revolutionised the industry.

Greg’s father, now in his 70s, will be in the crowd cheering his son this Saturday as he brings to life the back-breaking work of a bygone era.

Meanwhile, former Charters Towers girl Kristen is a little newer to the industry – but that hasn’t held her back from getting her hands dirty.

“Before I started with Queensland Sugar Limited, I hadn’t even stepped foot on a cane farm. That was six months ago,” she said.

“As presenting sponsors of the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships, it is important for us to show people we’re not simply putting the QSL name to the festival – we’re in there and we’re getting involved in the event as much as we can.”

The Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships presented by Queensland Sugar Limited gets underway from 11am on Saturday 1 June at the Home Hill Showgrounds, with the final commencing from 2:15pm.

Nominations are still open by emailing before Friday midday, or by nominating on the day before 11am.

The championships is one of three events making up this year’s Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival between 30 May and 1 June.

For more information, visit www.sweetdayshotnights.com.au.