CHEEKY veterinary students have bared all in North Queensland in a bid to raise money for drought-stricken farmers.
The fourth-year Townsville James Cook University students went starkers in a photo shoot, with the images compiled to create the 2019 Vets Uncovered calendar.
The rampant nudity has become a right of passage for JCU vet students, who for the last five years have stripped off for a calendar to raise funds for their graduation ball at the end of the following year.
This year, students will donate a percentage of the funds raised to Rural Aid, a charity which supports drought stricken farmers.
Student and organiser Hannah Coman said the entire class voted unanimously to donate a proportion of the takings to Rural Aid.
“We chose Rural Aid because it is super close to our hearts,” Ms Coman said.
“We do our placements on properties and when it comes to our careers we will be helping farmers get through the drought.
“The drought is really sad in Queensland and a lot of us are from properties where they have had to sell cattle as they can’t feed the animals.
“A lot of vets are under pressure to come up with solutions, it is hard to see the farmers go through that and we are doing the degree so we can help the welfare of animals and for farms to retain their profitability.”
Ms Coman said JCU’s vet course was heavily focused on large animals and at least half of her classmates hoped to work in the rural sector once they graduated.
About 45 students out of the 80 in her year stripped off for the calendar, with those who chose not to disrobe helping to fund-raise in other ways.
The shoots took place at Virginia Park Station, near Charters Towers and on Magnetic Island.
“They were amazing at Virginia Park, they let us use their animals and run wild for the whole day.
“For the second shoot we decided to change it up and go over to Magnetic Island to showcase the region.”
Ms Coman said while at first it was awkward stripping off in front of her classmates, the group had a lot of fun.
“We were definitely out of our comfort zones. We got out to the property and there was a big stack of hay bales and everyone had their robes on just kind of standing there.
“Then one kid just ripped his clothes off and sprinted through this big field and everyone took off their robes and just chased after him.”
Ms Coman said they were hoping to sell 1500 calendars, which cost $20 each for a Townsville pick up or an additional $10 for domestic or international shipping.
The calendars are available now and can be ordered online at www.vetsuncovered.com.
