Bowraville Central School cattle team makes its mark at the Brisbane Royal Show

BOWRAVILLE Central School has made its mark at the Brisbane Royal Show, with eight students and seven head of cattle travelling north to compete in the prestigious eight-day event.

The Bowraville Central Cattle Team travelled to Brisbane with school-owned Droughtmaster cattle, as well as Murray Grey cattle belonging to student Amy Edge and her family’s newly established Misty Valley Stud.

For Amy, the opportunity to compete at the Brisbane Royal Show represented the culmination of a journey that began when she joined Bowraville Central School in Year Seven.

Through the school’s cattle program, Amy developed a passion for cattle, became involved in local and regional shows, and built her knowledge and confidence in the show ring.

Earlier this year, Amy and her family took the next step by establishing their own Murray Grey stud, Misty Valley. Having their cattle competing at the Brisbane Royal Show was a significant milestone and a wonderful example of how opportunities that arise through agricultural studies at school can inspire students to pursue their own interests within the agricultural industry.

Throughout the eight days, Bowraville students competed in a diverse range of events, including fruit and vegetable judging, grain judging, stud cattle judging, prime cattle judging, steer judging and junior parading. Students competed in both school and stud sections, putting their practical knowledge and skills to the test against competitors from across the country.

There were several outstanding individual achievements.

Kyron Trisley-Lindsay placed second in Fruit and Vegetable Judging, where competitors were required to judge lemons, red onions and pears, place the entries in order of desirability, and then deliver an oral presentation explaining and comparing their decisions.

Lily Kennedy also enjoyed an exceptional competition. Lilly was awarded Highly Commended in Stud Cattle Judging, after judging a class of Droughtmaster bulls and delivering an oral presentation justifying her placings.

She also received Highly Commended in Fruit and Vegetable Judging before progressing through to the finals of the Stud Parader competition.

Lilly finished among the top 20 competitors from approximately 120 participants, an outstanding achievement at the Brisbane Royal Show.

The cattle results were equally impressive.

School-owned Droughtmaster Breffni Quinn placed second in the Droughtmaster Heifer Over 24 Months, led by Lily Kennedy.

Misty Valley Murray Grey Onward Titian W19 placed second in the 12–16 Month class, led by Amy Edge.

The highlight of the cattle results came with Onward Everlyn W1, who won the 16–20 Month class before being awarded Reserve Junior Champion, led by Heloise Lair.

While the ribbons and results were a highlight, the Brisbane Royal Show experience provided much more than success in the show ring.

The students spent eight days caring for their cattle, preparing animals for competition, participating in judging events and representing their school and community.

The experience challenged the students to work independently, communicate effectively, solve problems and support one another through long days and early mornings.

The team was made up of Lailana Heather, Amarli Whit, Bella Lindsay, Jaz Gwilliam, Heloise Lair, Kyron Trisley-Lindsay and Lilly Kennedy, who all represented Bowraville Central School with pride and enthusiasm throughout the competition.

Their success at the Brisbane Royal Show highlights the growing opportunities available to students through the Bowraville Central School agriculture program and demonstrates the important role practical agricultural education can play in developing confidence, leadership, responsibility and a genuine connection to the agricultural industry.

For a small rural school from the Nambucca Valley, competing at one of Australia’s largest agricultural shows is a significant achievement.

An opportunity of this scale would not be possible without the incredible support of our local community.

Bowraville Central School and the Cattle Team would like to extend a huge thank you to Macksville Ex-Services Club, Lindsay’s Roofing, NSW Farmers – Nambucca River Branch and Nambucca Rotary Club for their generous support in helping our students attend the Brisbane Royal Show.

Travelling interstate with students, cattle and equipment comes with significant costs, and the generosity of these local organisations has helped make this experience possible.

Their support has provided our students with an opportunity to compete on a major agricultural stage, develop their skills and create memories that they will carry with them for years to come.

We are incredibly grateful to these organisations for investing in our students, supporting agricultural education and helping young people from the Nambucca Valley experience opportunities beyond the classroom.

Bowraville Central School is extremely proud of the students who stepped into the Brisbane Royal Show ring and showed that with hard work, determination and a passion for agriculture, students from a small country school can compete on a very big stage.