The Gladstone High School Agriculture Show season kicked off at the 2024 Crystal Brook Show in August. Hailey Hodgson and Nicki Zanker represented the school in the Led Steer Competition with two of our steers, Uno and Usher. After a rocky start with some very grumpy steers, Nicki came away from the competition with 2nd place in the handler competition, and Hailey won the reserve champion handler and the best-presented steer at the show.  

Following on from the Crystal Brook Show, the Year 11 and 12 Cattle Team represented the school at The Royal Adelaide Show Led Steer Competition. This competition saw us take five steers donated by local farmers, and seven students. The whole team's contributions were fantastic, they all supported each other and helped out other schools along the way. We brought home some ribbons for the 3rd and 6th best steer carcass for their weight class, and a celebrated TFI award. This award was for our South Devon steer that was chosen to be part of the best of three South Devons at the show to represent the entire class overall.  

Later on the next week, the Year 10s competed in the School Wether Competition at the Royal Adelaide Show, where they were able to demonstrate their handling and presentation skills to the judges. A total of 6 Merino wethers were taken to the show as two pens of three. Out of the various competitions the teams entered, the hard work and dedication to the care and selection of the wethers resulted in the team receiving 4th place in the Pen of Three competition out of 55 pens. Students demonstrated responsibility and teamwork to ensure everyone on the team was able to enjoy the show while looking after the sheep. 

The Year 9 students did an excellent job in the led wether goat competition at the Royal Adelaide Show for 2024. Teagan Hollitt and her goat Euphoria placed 5th for its weight class. Leani French-Sherlock and her goat Uday placed 3rd for its weight class.  Our proudest achievement was getting 1st place at the Grand Parade which really showed our team commitment and the effort made by all staff and students during the show this year.  Our goats have shown consistent results over the past two years , and this comes with many thanks to Jim and Maggie Dunbar, who kindly donated them to us and our agriculture program. This year, our goats were a bit heavier overall, which pushed us into more competitive weight classes, but we still matched our best ribbons from last year.

Many thanks to our staff who supported the students including Deb Davis, Matt Cadzow, Fletcher Wren and Sarah Philp. Students made lasting memories over the three days and we are all proud to be a part of the show this year representing Gladstone High School. Also, thanks to Nigel Clogg for transporting the Wethers and Goats to Adelaide and Heath Tiller for transporting cattle.  

The Gladstone High School Agriculture teachers would like to extend an exceptionally large thank you to the farming community that helps support our program. We have many local farmers who have provided animals, supported animal programs, assisted in transporting animals, and supported student learning. Without them, our programs and show representation would not be able to happen. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Sam Inglis donating a Short Horn Steer

Don Hucks donating a Murrary Grey Steer

David Lease donating a South Devon Steer

Vaughn Johnson donating a Speckle Park Steer

Broughton Park / Mumfords donating a Black Angus

Jim & Maggie Dunbar donating 8 Boer Goats

Ben Crawford donated 4 Merino Wethers

Andrew Zanker donated 4 Merino Wethers

Kim & Jason Zohs donated 4 Merino Wethers

Nigel Clogg donating 4 Merino Wethers

Geoff Davidson donating 4 Merino Wethers.