Whipcrackers Jesse, Beau and Brooke Jervis from Conargo.
Friends participating in the competitive whipcracking event at the Deni Ute Muster may well have been the catalyst behind the Jervis family’s love of the sport and the string of success that has followed.
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Their friends were members of the West Side Whipcrackers Club in Gisborne.
After some initial enquiries, the Jervis clan went for a trial day in 2017 to see if whipcracking was for them.
The now Conargo-based family loved what they experienced and have been whipcracking ever since.
Brooke, 16, Jesse, 14, and nine year-old Beau are well supported in their endeavours by mum Christie and dad Brett, who share the childrens’ passion for whipcracking.
While each has skills beyond their years, Beau is particularly excelling.
He is the current 2022 Australian Pee Wee Champion and was 2022 Queensland Pee Wee Champion and runner-up at the 2021 Australian Pee Wee Championships.
Jesse has also cemented his place in the whipcracking circles as runner-up at the 2022 Australian Junior Championships.
He was also runner-up at the 2022 Queensland State Junior Titles, runner-up at the 2021 Australian Juvenile Championships, and was back-to-back Victorian Juvenile Champion in 2020 and 2021.
Brooke has also risen through the ranks and is ready to climb even higher in 2023.
She placed fourth at the 2022 Australian Junior Championships, third at the 2022 Queensland State Junior Titles, third at the 2021 Australian Junior Championships and was runner-up at the 2021 Victorian State Junior Titles.
“We are part of the Australian Whipcrackers and Plaiters Associations and have most recently been receiving mentoring from the current Australian men’s champion James Scott,” Brooke said.
“As it gets closer to competition, we ramp up practice at home.
“No matter what, if it is close to competition or not, we are constantly practising, learning new tricks and perfecting others we already know.”
The family will be competing at Gunnedah during the ‘Week of Speed’ Festival, where the NSW state titles will be held on March 18.
“Then we go to Seymour for the Victorian State Titles at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo on April 1,” Brooke said.
“We will then head to the Australian Titles this year in Brisbane, at the Royal Queensland Show (EKKA) on August 20.
“We are extremely excited to also be competing at the Deni Ute Muster this year.”
Speaking on behalf of the siblings, Brooke said they would not have the opportunity to attend these events without the immense support behind them.
And the youngsters are willing to give back in return.
“We want to say a big thank you to mum and dad for their constant support and for taking us to each competition,” she said.
“Also a big thank you to the Conargo community and Conargo Hall for their support and donations to assist us with travel, accommodation and equipment.
“As we love our sport, we are happy to assist others interested in learning the sport.
“We are also available for functions or demonstrations on request,” she said.
Helping to support the Jervis siblings is a Conargo community recycling campaign.
Can and bottles are being donated to the family so they can earn money through the NSW Return and Earn scheme.
Anyone else who can help the Jervis family achieve their dreams through the donation of recyclables is invited to contact Christie on 0418 368 405.
You can also make contact, and keep up with the family’s activities, via the ‘Conargo Whipcrackers’ Facebook page.
