Representing Western Australia: Mia Hancock (17)
Mia is the Western Australian state finalist at the 2021 Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges finals held at the Royal Queensland Show. Agricultural Shows of Australia sat down with Mia to learn about the ascent of her adoration for alpacas, having never handled one until 2019. Now she’s off to claim the national young alpaca judge title!
I live in Perth, WA and became interested in alpacas through school, Kelmscott Senior High School where I’m in grade 12. I’ve had experience in Alpaca, Cattle and Sheep showing since 2019, and in ten years time I’d like to be running my own farm stay featuring vineyards, alpacas, beef cattle and poultry.
I’m indebted to Jane O’Neill (mentor), Danny Birch (mentor), Louise Holbrook (WA Alpaca Youth Rep), Derek Edmonson (HOLA Agriculture at KSHS) for getting me involved with alpaca judging. In fact, I had had no contact with alpacas until 2019.
My favourite show has to be Perth Royal Show, it’s the biggest Alpaca Show in Western Australia and my first experience at showing beef cattle. It was here that I was award Champion Junior Alpaca Handler 2019.