November 7, 2017
On Saturday night almost 400 residents enjoyed a barbecue with a difference hosted by Maclagan farmer Jenny Ballon at one of the region’s largest private fundraisers for RACQ LifeFlight Rescue.
The event was an ironic tribute LifeFlight’s assistance after an accident where Jenny was attacked by one of her own cattle.
In July, Jenny was trampled by a large, angry bullock on her farm.
“I bent down to open the gate and he was coming through, charging right at me,” Jenny said.
“He hit the gate and sent me flying five metres through the air.”
The angry bullock then trampled her while she was lying on the ground.
“I was probably in his way. He was trying to get out,” she said.
“It was one small mistake, a split second wrong decision that nearly cost me my life.”
Jenny’s injuries were life-threatening, including a cracked sternum, seven broken ribs and a punctured lung, however surprisingly she still had her sense of humour.
“All I could think of when I was lying there in pain was ‘When I’m better I’m going to eat this beast!’
She was transported by road ambulance to Dalby Hospital and then airlifted by the Toowoomba-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter in a serious but stable condition to Princess Alexandra Hospital.
“I don’t know what it would have been like to travel for four hours by road ambulance to Brisbane with a punctured lung and broken ribs,” said Jenny.
“LifeFlight did such a great job getting me there. I feel so lucky.”
After making a full recovery Jenny began organising her “revenge barbecue” to raise money for LifeFlight, but the offending bullock was deemed too big and tough to eat.
“We had to pick another one. He’s the ultimate sacrifice,” she said.
“He looked about the right size and we got about 650 tender steaks out of him.
“It was enough to feed everyone on the night.”
The “BBQ and the Beast” fundraiser received strong support from the local community, and raised more than $20,000 to help LifeFlight.
“I am truly humbled by the response but I realise they weren’t just coming for me. As country people we know how important LifeFlight is. It’s the difference between life and death and that’s what resonates with people,” Jenny said.
In the last financial year LifeFlight’s nine community helicopters performed a record 1864 air-medical flights across Queensland and northern NSW.
