Bringing visitors from across the country, Ekka was an opportunity for students to showcase their steer handling skills at the largest steer competition in Australia.

Fourteen students were selected to attend Ekka this year from Years 8 to 11. The students were selected from 60 keen students who chose steer handling as a sport at school.

For 8 years now, St Joseph’s has been competing at Brisbane, proving its place in the competition with continual success. In previous years, St Joseph’s has won the team herdsman competition four times as well as placing every other year.

The show team exhibited seven steers and one heifer in both the hoof and hook component of the competition.

Students are chosen for their teamwork and ability to show initiative and self-management, demonstrate pride, manage and handle animals and prepare cattle for competition against some of the best competitors in Australia.

The show team competed in the led steer competition which encompassed a junior section that is open to schools and exhibitors under 18; and an open section, competing against professionals, with animals sourced from the local region of the Upper Hunter.

Outstanding achievements included:

St Joseph’s cattle won:

• First heavyweight steer from a class of 51 animals. This was the largest class of the comp
• Second lightweight open steer
• Third junior led steer.

The students won:

• Third team junior judging. The team members were  Kaitlyn Vincent, Elle Taylor and Kayla McIntyre.
• Fourth herdsman – points awarded for presentation of cattle, stalls, students’ display promoting the school and the beef industry.

“As a school, we are very successful against our competitors and have proved, for the eighth year in a row, the quality, teamwork and passion of our students who continue to thrive,” said Curriculum Coordinator, Veronica Rolfe.

To find out more at St Joseph's, click here.

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