A team of keen students from St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen loaded their shining and well prepared animals onto the truck to make the journey at the start of the month. 

Ten students took five steers and a heifer to the prestigious event, where they were keen to uphold their reputation after success in recent years.

The locally produced animals were in outstanding condition and broken in to perform, thanks to the many hours spent by the students after school and on weekends to ensure the team was well prepared.

The open paraders competition was the first event where more than 300 students took part including local students Camilla Swain and Riley Burgin who were selected to progress through to the finals of their respected age groups.

The next event was the Junior Heifer and Junior Steer Competition where a speckle park heifer, bred by Mark and Colleen Constable and prepared by Elle Taylor, Camilla Swain and Schyla Butcher was placed fifth in her class and was placed second and reserve champion heifer on the hook.

In the steer section, a steer bred by Jeff Clydsdale also prepared by Schyla Butcher, Elle Taylor and Camilla Swain was placed first in the middleweight schools section, and placed third on the hook.

The Open Steer competition was on day three with a steer bred by Peter and Janene Clydsdale and prepared by Riley Burgin, Sean Cargill and Jack Wilson, placing fifth in his class.

He then went on to be placed first on the hook and was awarded champion middleweight carcase, an exceptionally pleasing result. 

Another steer bred by the JG Brooker Partnership - Graham and Kim Clydsdale and prepared by Callum Swain and Kale Johnson placed first out of a competitive class and then placed fifth on the hook; and a steer bred by Ian and Kay Beard and prepared by Millie Hall and Olivia Estrada, placed sixth in his class and seventh on the hook.

Throughout the week, several students competed in the junior  judging competition with great results. 

In the Schools Team Judging, the team of Millie Hall, Riley Burgin and Callum Swain placed eighth overall from approximately 25 schools.

In the individual judging, Camilla Swain placed third in her age group, and the school also took out third in the Schools Herdsman competition. 

St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen agriculture teacher Charles Mill said to come away with three blue ribbons, a champion ribbon and numerous other ribbons was an outstanding achievement. 

“The students did an excellent job and did the show team and the school very proud. 

“They need to be congratulated on their excellent results, their hard work and dedication has definitely paid off,” he said. 

“On behalf of the school and the SJA Show team, we would like to sincerely thank all of the parents who contributed to our trip to the EKKA. 

“We would also like to thank the breeders of the cattle from the Upper Hunter region. 

“Your support of our program enables students these opportunities and experiences, and without your support these would not be possible.”