Cattle Team
2024 RAS Royal Easter Show
This was the 10th year Pymble Ladies’ College have participated in the Royal Easter Show. Our Pymble Cattle team members engaged with the public by answering questions about the College and the cattle program. Most of the public cannot believe cattle are kept on the College campus, particularly when told they back onto the Avondale Golf course!
The show team presented three purebred steers; two Angus Steers bred by “Knowla” Livestock – Ted and Alison Laurie, one Murray Grey steer bred by “Glandmire Stud” – Dan and Anika Collins and one Angus x Simmental Trade steer bred by “Kunderang Stud” – Richard Fitzgerald. The team placed Fourth with one of the “Knowla Livestock” steers, paraded by Lucy Pennington (Year 12).
A highlight for the College was Annabelle Jones (Year 10) placing First in the school parader’s competition category, progressing to Reserve Champion School Parader prize. Annabelle was outstanding in her first round, immediately catching the eye of the judge for her ability to control a very playful, if not cantankerous, animal! To see Annabelle drop the show cane and take immediate control of the 400+kg steer was a sight to behold and displays skills beyond her years! Annabelle is the first Pymble Cattle Team member to achieve this prestigious award – congratulations!
In the Open State Finals, two students qualified at the Castle Hill Show, Lucy Pennington (Year 12) and Eilidh Skelton (Year 10). Lucy placed 3rd in Open State Parading Finals and Eilidh tried her Pymble best and was unlucky to miss out on a ribbon.
All Cattle team members are commended on their performance at the show. Students exhibited Pymble pride in themselves and the College, proudly displaying their cattle whilst flying the Pymble flag.
Carcass Results
Our “Knowla” (Middleweight) steer bred by the Laurie Family weighing in at 478kg and bought by China Doll Restaurant achieved 1st in the virtual taste test with a point score of 85.5 and achieving the Reserve Champion ribbon!
The smaller Knowla steer (395kg) achieved a Bronze Award in the virtual taste test. This animal was purchased by McFarlands Gourmet Meats – Wahroonga. Anyone wishing to buy some excellent beef cuts are encouraged to see the team at McFarlands and ask the Pymble Ladies’ College beef carcass.
Our Murray Grey steer bred by the Collins Family achieved a score of 80.20 points on the hook.
Our final Trade Steer entry bred by the Fitzgerald family achieved a score of 88.9 and achieved 9th position out of 41 animals – an excellent achievement!
I would like to praise the Pymble Cattle team for their excellent presentation of animals at this year’s Royal Easter Show. We received many compliments regarding our Pymble student’s behaviour and professionalism toward preparing and presenting the animals in this prestigious competition.
Please click here to view the full Catalogue of results.
2024 RAS Rural Achiever
Congratulations to Grace Collins (Pymble Alumni 2020) of Armidale who has taken the title of 2024 RAS Rural Achiever.
Grace is currently completing a Bachelor of Agriculture and aims to complete a Master of Teaching, as she sees the need for accurate and transparent education about farming practices to be taught in schools, both in urban and in rural areas.
Grace will represent NSW in the National Rural Ambassador program in 2025.
Peter Wearne
Co-ordinator – Cattle Team