Nine SA finalists heading to Ekka for national titles

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

Nine SA finalists heading to Ekka for national titles

Nine young South Australians are heading to the Ekka next month to compete for national honours.

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

The prestigious event brings together competitors in young judging for beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breed sheep and poultry, parading competitions for beef and dairy cattle along with the Australian Young Farmers Challenge and National Rural Ambassador Award.

Finalists qualify through success at local, regional and state competitions, with the national championships hosted in a different state each year. This year the event is being run by Queensland Ag Shows during the Ekka. 

SA finalists

Gwendolyn Van Zwol, 19, Mt Pleasant | Merino Fleece Young Judges

Gwendolyn Van Zwol is a second-year Animal Science student at Adelaide University. She grew up on a small property with sheep, cattle and horses and became heavily involved in agricultural competitions through school, the SA Sheep Expo and the Royal Adelaide Show. Now the 2026 Mount Pleasant Young Rural Ambassador, Gwendolyn also serves on the Mount Pleasant Show and SA Next Generation committee.

“These competitions are so important in giving young people an opportunity to learn and grow without needing years of experience behind them,” Gwendolyn said. “If I could give any advice, it would be to put yourself out there and have a go, because you never know what opportunity might present itself.”

Maddison Hann, 17, Lucindale | Beef Cattle Paraders

Maddison hails from a seedstock and commercial cattle operation. Her family runs Angus and Brangus/Ultrablack cattle and sell around 150 bulls each year. 

Through showing cattle at local, junior and Royal shows across Australia, the year 12 student has developed a love for cattle handling, beef production, cattle breeding and genetics.

“It’s important to have paraders’ competitions because the skills I’ve learnt competing are the same skills required for good stock handling and stockmanship,” Maddison said.

Maddison plans to travel to North America and Canada in the future to learn more about global beef production systems and bring new knowledge back  home. 

Ryan Philp, 16, Manoora |Merino Sheep Young Judges

Ryan Philp is a Year 11 student (and self-described cricket tragic) raised on a cropping and Merino sheep operation. Ryan got his start in agricultural shows through the South Australian School Merino Wether Challenge at the Royal Adelaide Show and has since competed in young judges competitions across South Australia. 

In 2025 he won the Merino Young Judges competition and placed second in Merino Fleece Judging at the Royal Adelaide Show in his first year in the senior age category.

“These competitions are important because they help build skills and connections that will benefit me for life and in a future career in agriculture,” Ryan said.

Olivia Baker, 19, Furner | Beef Cattle Young Judges

Olivia Baker grew up showing cattle through her family’s Simmental stud, Woonallee Simmentals. Competing since the age of eight, Olivia has developed a strong interest in the beef industry and hopes to study veterinary science in the future. She’s currently a receptionist at the Kingston Veterinary Clinic as well as a mat and reformer Pilates instructor at EJ studio in Penola and The Mat Method in Furner.

Olivia’s biggest show ring achievement came last year when she won the 2025 National Champion Parader in Adelaide.

“Showing cattle has helped me build confidence, develop my skills and make lifelong connections in the industry,” Olivia said.

Charlotte Poker, 24, Adelaide Hills | Meat Breeds Sheep Young Judges

Charlotte Poker found her way into agriculture through sheep showing at Urrbrae Agricultural High School and went on to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide. 

She now works with Thomas Foods International as a Livestock Administrator, while still staying involved in shows and associate judging across South Australia. 

“I don’t come from a farming background, but I have been fortunate to receive strong support from people within the industry. I also believe these competitions play a vital role in giving students from non-farming backgrounds, like myself, the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within the industry and build connections with stud breeders,” Charlotte said.

Chris Thompson, 19, Mitcham | Dairy Cattle Paraders

Chris is in his second year at the University of Adelaide studying Animal Science and works in a dairy in his spare time. 

His first ever show experience was at the Royal Adelaide Show, with Mount Pleasant Show marking his debut as an exhibitor. 

“I fell in love with agriculture through my grandparents’ property and have never looked back since,” Chris said.

In 2025 he represented South Australia in young judges at the Royal Adelaide Show. His highlight so far is winning Grand Champion Heifer at the 2026 SA Calf Day.

William Phillpott, 20, Murray Bridge | Dairy Cattle Young Judges

William Phillpott discovered dairy at age 11 through the South Australia Dairy Youth Camp at the Adelaide Showgrounds. 

Coming from a non-farming background, he quickly developed an interest in the industry and now works full time at Daish Irrigation and Fodder while milking cows on weekends and competing in dairy shows across SA and Victoria. He is the 2026 Southern Shows Association Rural Ambassador runner-up.

“These opportunities are so important to me as they open up other opportunities for the future. Having more opportunities to network, connect and work with likeminded and passionate people within the dairy community is all I want to do,” William said 

William is also a keen horseman and has represented SA at a national level for show jumping.

Ruth Johnson, 16, Strathabyn | Poultry Young Judges

Ruth Johnson is the Strathalbyn Show Young Rural Ambassador. She competes at country shows across SA, and volunteers with the South Australian Poultry Association at the Royal Adelaide Show. Ruth is a high school student working part time at Mitre10, with plans to study at university and become an accredited judge. Her highlight so far has been winning Junior Best Bird in Show.

“I started competing to gain experience in judging and handling poultry, and I’ve really enjoyed learning along the way,” Ruth said.

Charlotte Chambers, 22, Netherby | Grains Young Judges

Charlotte is in her final year of a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and works as an Undergraduate Structural Engineer. She started grain judging in 2024, placing third, before winning the competition in 2025 after building on her grain classification experience at Viterra (now Bunge). Agriculture runs through her family, from farming at Alford through to agronomy and grain consultancy roles.

“For me, this competition brings me closer to the world my family lives and breathes,” Charlotte said.

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