NINE months of dedication by West Moreton Anglican College’s Cattle Show Team has been rewarded in the build-up to next month’s Queensland Royal Show, The EKKA.
WestMAC, boasting the Ipswich region’s largest Cattle Show school team of 45 members, are primed for EKKA after winning a swathe of ribbons on the West Moreton and Brisbane Valley Show Circuit in the past month.
The College have achieved more than a combined dozen ribbons and high-level placings at the four shows the Cattle Show team have entered: Esk, Toogoolawah, Lowood and Kalbar.
Cattle Show students train several hours a week at the 20-acre farm on the West Moreton Anglican College campus, which is also used for the College’s extensive Agricultural Science program.
WestMAC secured a clean sweep in the Esk Show’s Young Judges (15-25 years) Competition, with Georgina Austin, Sarah Stewart and Jacinta Oxenford all podium-placegetters.
Multi-talented Year 10 student Bella Johnstone won the Young Paraders Competition at Esk, followed by a third placing in the Young Judges Competition at Toogoolawah and a third in the Young Paraders Competition at Kalbar.
WestMAC Cattle Show Team manager Laura O’Shea was thrilled that students’ hard work was not only yielding results but also ensuring rapidly improving skills and confidence as part of a new era for the College.
“This is the start of an exciting new era as we have a young team of passionate and committed members, so it’s rewarding to see the students build on their results after each show,’’ Mrs O’Shea said.
“In October last year the students learnt how to halter train the cattle, so it’s gratifying for the students to see the progress these cattle have made as we parade them in the show ring as part of WestMAC’s extensive training program.
“The best part of our job at WestMAC is seeing the skills the students develop and their smiles as they make everlasting memories along the way as part of WestMAC’s strong and supportive team culture.’’
O’Shea said a team of about 15 of the most experienced, hard-working and top performing students would represent WestMAC at this year’s EKKA.
“Our students are passionate about being the best they can be and doing the College and the Cattle studs we represent proud, including at EKKA,’’ Mrs O’Shea said.
The cattle have also triumphed in the Stud Beef ring at all four shows, with Charnelle Charolais and Black Duck Charolais, supporting the Cattle Show Team, while WestMAC also has its own Stud Charolais and Commercial herd.
At Esk, the College achieved another clean sweep with Grand Champion European Female as well as with Grand Champion European Bull.
At Toogoolawah, in a strong competition against more than 175 stud cattle entries WestMAC achieved several first places.
At Kalbar, WestMAC scored the triple crown of Junior Champion Charolais Female, Senior Champion Charolais Female and Grand Champion Charolais Female.
WestMAC’s final pre-EKKA competition is the Gatton Show on July 15-17.
O’Shea leads a committed team, including volunteers and specialist tutors, to help with the students’ development.
“We have many diverse student backgrounds with many city central families drawing on WestMAC for its high quality agricultural programs and on-site farm,’’ she said.
“Families from the Western and Scenic Rim regions such as Boonah and Gatton praise the College’s continuing legacy of programs which set students up with the skills and knowledge for agricultural careers, as well as connecting them with top-level industry professionals.’’
For more information on WestMAC’s award-winning Cattle Show Team go to:
wmac.com.au/our-college/extra-curricular-programs/our-farm while prospective families are invited to hear more about the College’s programs at the showcase event, See WestMAC, on August 3. Attendees will receive the opportunity to talk one-on-one with Principal Geoff McLay as well as senior teachers. To learn more about See WestMAC, go to wmac.com.au/seewestmac.
For more information:
West Moreton Anglican College Senior Communications and Events Officer
Fiona Purdon
P:07 3813 4518 and M: 0407 765657