Stanthorpe Apple Peeling Contest Highlights Champion's Grit

The Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival recently hosted its biannual apple peeling contest. Kerrie Stratford, 65, a remarkable 21-time champion of the event, once again participated.

During the contest, Stratford focused on attempting to break her own record for the longest continuous apple peel. While she has historically held records for both fastest and longest peels, her speed has been recently impacted by arthritis. In the longest peel category, Stratford achieved a peel of 3.9 meters (nearly 13 feet). This impressive length, however, did not surpass her standing 2018 record of 6.1 meters. Meanwhile, the fastest peel contest was won by Kim McCosker.

Stratford's participation in the event came amidst a personal battle with serious illness and pain. She lives with Dercum’s disease and polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. Adding to her difficulties, a genetic mutation prevents pain medication from working effectively for her.

Despite battling serious illness and pain, including a genetic mutation that nullifies pain medication, 21-time champion Kerrie Stratford competed in the Stanthorpe Apple Peeling Contest.

Now celebrating its 60th year, the Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival stands as one of Australia's largest harvest festivals. Held on a fertile plateau within Queensland’s granite belt, the event is a significant economic driver, generating approximately $20 million and attracting around 70,000 visitors over its 10-day duration. The festival's rich origins are deeply rooted in Italian heritage, dating back to Father Jerome Davadi's initiation of winemaking in the 1870s and further shaped by Italian prisoners of war who contributed to local orchards during World War II.