News & Events

Australian Sheep and Wool Show

15/07/2022

Catherine McAuley College (CMC) students and staff were excited for the return of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show (ASWS), which was held in Bendigo from 15 July to 17 July 2022, after two years of the show not running due to COVID.

Students in the Year 9 Agriculture elective and the Certificate II Agriculture classes have been developing a greater theoretical and practical understanding of livestock husbandry, showing of livestock and fleece scoring in readiness for the ASWS.

In the week leading up to the show, CMC Year 9 Agriculture students volunteered to help set up the sheep pens. Students spent Tuesday 12 July setting up over 300 temporary sheep pens with rails, gates and hay. They also assembled dozens of display boxes to assist with the 21st Australian Fleece Competition.

We are delighted to announce that CMC received the Australian Fleece Competition Agricultural College and Schools Awards Reserve Champion for their Polwarth Fleece.

Students who participated in the show competition for the Polwarth Association had great success.

RESULTS

  • Lillian Brown:  Polwarth Junior Handler
  • Lucy Wilkinson: 2nd Fleece handler and 4th Junior Handler
  • Thomas Miller: 3rd Junior handler and 4th Fleece handler
  • Tom Day: 3rd Fleece handler

Our passionate students assisted other Polwarth breeders from local and interstate studs such as Riverview Polwarth Stud from Tasmania and Fairview from Colac. Our students demonstrated teamwork, confidence and showmanship. CMC students and teachers are enormously appreciative of the Polwarth Association and all the Polwarth exhibitors for their support, guidance and encouragement.

Mr Scott Vaughan, Agriculture Teacher

A large group of Agriculture students also took part in the Ross McKenzie Program on Friday, learning a lot from the sessions on sheep diseases, wool classing, lamb autopsy, careers and shearing. 

Special thanks to our committed and hardworking Agriculture staff for making this learning experience possible for our students: Ms Kristy Coller, Mr Scott Vaughan and Mr Alistair Killick.