A team from Rockhampton Grammar School (RGS) has cleared a strong line up of 42 competitors to claim the champion banner in the Charbray Society School’s Team Judging Competition held today at Beef Australia 2018.
Team members Lucy Prentice, Emerald; Marshall Leeson, Moura; Lachlan Collins, Moura, and Isabella Hanson, Moura, were part of the RGS team two who scored the 156 points that secured them the top spot of the competition.
Entering the event for the first time, but with years of involvement across a range of breeds, the team cohesively worked together to demonstrate their keen eye for cattle and ability to translate their observations to the crowd that observed.
Teams judged two classes, one consisting of Charbray bulls another of Charbray heifers.
Of the 42 teams entered, 18 groups scored over 90 points and were given the opportunity to speak on the microphone about how they placed the female class.
Experienced judge Tania Sainsbury from Tanic Charolais, Biloela, who has had a very rewarding career in the show ring, said the team’s speaking ability and observations helped them get there on the day,
“They really explained why they put the animals that way. Not necessarily the same way as me but they explained why they did,” Mrs Sainsbury said.
“We all have different points of you and I understand some teams would have seen the animals differently to me today, so I was wanting to here the ‘why’.”
In second place, just one point behind the winning team, was Rockhampton Girls Grammar team two who scored 155 points.
Third place went to Downlands College team one, Toowoomba, and placing fourth overall was Monto State High School team two on 150.
Wilstonton State High School team one and Rockhampton Grammar School team one both received 149 points and were awarded equal fourth place.
In sixth place was St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Rockhampton, who was one of the two primary schools that entered the competition. They received an impressive 147 points and were commended for their involvement.
St Paul’s Primary School, Gracemere, was also represented by some of the youngest competitors in the competition including eight-year-old Sinclair Newman.
The event was supported by the Charbray Society of Australia, who have been involved in the competition since its conception.
Society president, Les Marshall, Greenfields Charbarys, Jambin, announced the breed is “proud to be associated with the school’s team judging”.
“We are proud to see all the students speak with the confidence and ability they showed today,” Mr Marshall said.
“There is no right or no wrong, it is about explaining why and the participants convinced us around the ring why they put them that way,”
Mr Marshall motivated all students to continue on their journey within the beef industry, and encouraged each participant when he said “you are all winners for taking part today”.
