Joey Reedy is a stock agent, bullock driver, bush poet and budding auctioneer all at the tender age of 18 but can now add one of the nation’s up and coming teamsters to his bow.

Joey was the winner of the inaugural Tim Peel Cup at the 2025 Good Old Days Festival at Barellan on October 5. The Cup was presented by Mr Peel, a master teamster and harness maker of Borambola, NSW.

A first in Australia, the encouragement award for young teamsters under the age of 30 recognises their skills and knowledge, and in doing so promote the art of the teamster.

“Winning this award means absolutely everything to me. It is such an honour – what Tim means to this award, having his name on it and the whole essence of it is incredible,” Joey said.

“I wish there was twice the number of young people here – the elder generation appreciate it and the younger should be out here in their droves.

“You’ve got to have the passion to do it.”

Joey, of Forbes, works for Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon & Co as a trainee stock agent, and began coming to the festival as a young teenager to help his father John at the blacksmith display.

He is a talented young bush poet and, alongside his younger sister Bianca, recited his favourite humorous poems at the bush poetry breakfast.

Joey then used his own team of bullocks to contribute to the team of 40 head which set a new Australian record for the 21^st century at Barellan.

He put his auctioneering talent to good use to auction several horse drawn vehicles on Saturday evening at the festival, using skills learnt from his mentor and former national young auctioneer winner Luke Whitty.

“I don’t do much selling yet – just a few charity auctions around the place but learning and would like to have a go at the young auctioneer competition,” Joey said.

The ability of the young teamster to control their team and the response of the animals to traditional commands was part of the assessment for the Tim Peel Cup.

Joey and his bullocks took part in the MND Tribute to the Teams Drive before the Festival to put in four days work on the road.

“I have four bullocks here – the two leaders have been here before, Bruiser and Bright, and Happy and Charlie.

“Both (bullock drivers) Phil Thomson and Ron McKinnon have been great mentors when it comes to the bullocks. I only started doing this about three years ago.

“Dad bought some steers, and I wanted to break them in myself, so Ron came up to help and ending up teaching me while Dad kept going with the horses.”

Joey was proud to see his 14-year-old sister Bianca step up to take part in the bush poetry, work with her own pair of bullocks at home and be an entrant in the Tim Peel Cup.

“She beat me at a bush poetry competition at Tamworth this year and I’m still dirty about it. We both love the same things thanks to our parents.”

When asked if he will be back at Barellan next year, Joey said: “Bloody oath I will, I will endeavour to get these bullocks a bit shinier and smarter, and put a couple more in there. I will definitely be back.”