Erin is the Victorian 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 Erin to learn a bit about her passion for everything ovine. Did you know? Erin has recently been made WoolProducers Australia youth ambassador.
I’m from the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, which is south of Melbourne. We are surrounded by small studs and hobby farms, with rolling paddocks in one direction and the ocean in the other. I am now studying at the University of New England in Armidale, which is the administrative city of the Northern Tablelands, half way between Brisbane and Sydney.
With stunning views and countless waterfalls, Merino wool is the prime production of this gorgeous area.
Having been attending since the age of 12, I have grown a fond connection to the event. In addition to the main event, showing, there are breeders dinners, youth education workshops, general meetings, breed youth competitions and the state finals.
I had always watched the older students compete in the state finals, and couldn’t wait until I was 16 and could do so myself.
Throughout 2020, while completing year 12 at home in lockdown, I founded and ran a first-of-its-kind event: the 2020 Rona Youth Sheep Expo.
My favourite show each year is the Royal Melbourne Show. There is so much excitement of attending such a large, successful show, and I love being able to showcase my breed to the public. While there are members of the public at most shows, Royal Melbourne Show lets them walk around our pens and see our sheep up close.
My all-time favourite moment at any show, one I will never forget, was at the Red Hill Show at the beginning of 2020.
In that moment, I realised how easy it can be to get caught up in the politics of a show- the placings, the ribbons, running around to get each student to their class in time- and was reminded to step back and appreciate the day.
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