Victoria’s top young judges and paraders ready for national championships

Jul 3, 2026 | National Championships, VIC | 0 comments

Victoria’s top young judges and paraders ready for national championships

Nine young judges and paraders from Victoria will be out for national glory at the Ekka next month.

The 2026 Agricultural Shows Australia’s National Young Judges and Paraders Championships will run from 6-10 August 2026 at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka). 

The prestigious competition includes paraders of beef and dairy cattle, young judges of beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, and poultry, the Australian Young Farmers Challenge, and National Rural Ambassador Award.

Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions. The national championships are held in a different location each year. This year’s championships are hosted by Queensland Ag Shows. 

VIC finalists

Liam Collins, 17, Newbridge | Poultry Young Judges 

Fourth-generation farmer Liam Collins has a love for poultry that was passed down through his father and grandfather. 

The year 12 student has been showing poultry for four years. He won Champion Junior Bird of Show at Wangaratta in 2024 and many reserve junior champion titles, including at the Melbourne Royal Show. 

Along with breeding and showing poultry, Liam’s also a keen fisherman and bee keeper. 

Jayde Grylls, 16, Tynong North | Beef Cattle Paraders

Year 11 student Jayde Grylls has been showing cattle since the age of five through her family’s stud, Grylls Cattle Co. 

One of Jayde’s proudest achievements is winning Grand Champion Herdsperson at the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show in 2024 and 2025, competing against more than 250 exhibitors. 

“Cow shows are extremely important to me because of the connections, opportunities and lifelong friendships they create,” Jayde said.

Jayde plans to study agribusiness while continuing to help run Grylls Cattle Co alongside her family.

Abbie Hanks, 20, Cobden | Dairy Cattle Paraders

Abbie Hanks began showing dairy cattle with her family’s Wellcoora Holsteins stud at the age of eight, following in her mum’s footsteps. 

In 2023 her Red Holstein, Elmar Mirand Farlex, was crowned Junior Champion at International Dairy Week.

Now a third-year occupational therapy student at Deakin University, Abbie balances study with dairy cattle showing. She hopes to work as an occupational therapist while still building and exhibiting the Wellcoora Holsteins stud.

Taylor Kain, 16, Mornington Peninsula | Merino Fleece Young Judges

Taylor Kain spent her early childhood in Melbourne, but when her family moved to the Mornington Peninsula at age 11 she immediately joined the school-based Flinders Sheep Show Team and discovered her love for animals.  

Today, the Year 11 student mentors younger students and has recently started her own small sheep flock, with plans to grow into stud breeding. Taylor hopes to work in agriculture-based education, helping the next generation of young show competitors.

“I love the ability to support kids in gaining confidence and a love for animals, whether they have a background in the industry or not,” Taylor said. 

Hollianne Hallam, 16, Wonwondah | Grain Young Judges

Fifth-generation grain farmer Hollianne Hallam has been driving a header during harvest since she was 10-years-old. Hollianne is completing Year 11 at St Brigid’s College as well as a school-based apprenticeship in agriculture on her family farm, while also studying automotive skills through VET.

A long-time supporter of agricultural shows, Hollianne previously exhibited poultry before earning selection as a Grain Young Judges finalist.

“Shows are extremely beneficial, they bring the region’s people together to showcase their skills, hard work and top quality produce that has been created by that individual,” Hollianne said.

Ava Harris, 19, Costerfield | Merino Sheep Young Judges

Physiotherapist Ava Harris hails from her family’s Koole Vale Merino Stud and developed an interest in Merino sheep judging after spending years helping exhibit sheep at shows across the state. She started competing in junior judging competitions at age 14 and has since built her skills through regular involvement in the show circuit. Ava’s family is also heavily involved in running the Heathcote Show.

“I’ve always really enjoyed showing sheep at shows and thought that junior judging would be a great learning opportunity,” Ava said. “I’m grateful to my dad who helped me get involved by teaching me many skills for junior judging.”

Jessica Gregory, 20, Bittern | Meat Sheep Breeds Young Judges

Jessica Gregory grew up on a family farm and began showing sheep through her school’s sheep stud at age 13. She’s been working on qualification for the National Finals in Meat Sheep Breeds Young Judges since she was 15. 

“It goes to show that hard work pays off,” Jessica said. “That was one of the best moments at a show.” 

Jessica works in the cropping industry in Victoria’s Wimmera region and competes in equestrian events in her spare time.

Mikaela Daniel, 21, Nathalia | Dairy Cattle Young Judges

Mikaela Daniel has been showing and judging dairy cattle from a young age. Now working in real estate, she’s still involved in the dairy sector and enjoys getting to International Dairy Week.

Some of her fondest show memories are of competing at the Royal Melbourne Show, and winning her first handlers class.

Mikaela hopes to become a real estate agent and own a small farm of her own.

Brittany Abbott, 24, Kolora | Beef Cattle Young Judges

Brittany Abbott grew up listening to stories from her nan of what makes a good cow. She’s the third generation at Turanga Red Poll Stud and works at the Rural Industries Skill Training Centre, training the next generation of agricultural professionals.

“I always loved talking about cows but I was first introduced to judging competitions at local shows in my early teens. It encouraged me to develop my public speaking skills, structural knowledge and a greater exposure to different cattle breeds and types,” Brittany said. 

“Shows are a great place to develop skills, build knowledge and network. I would encourage anyone to have a crack at judging because it is not a skill that limits you to the show ring, but rather a skill that can help you in all aspects of the industry.

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