A young team from Condobolin High School were among 98 competitors who braved the cold weather on Monday 4 July to participate in Trangie's annual Junior Judging Competition.  

The competition is an annual opportunity for young people between the ages of 5 – 25 to assess agricultural products such as beef cattle, meat sheep and merino sheep, as well as cotton, wool and grain samples while learning about agriculture from industry representatives.  

Organiser of the event, Kath Donoghue, said that Junior Judging is a terrific way for hands-on kids to have a learning experience outside of the classroom. 

"It's quite a unique opportunity for the kids to try something a little bit different all the while learning a lot about agriculture," she said. 

With trophies from the junior judging day dating back to the 1940s, this year's perpetual trophy winners were certainly placing their name among a long list of talented junior judges. 

 TJJ Senior and Reserve Senior Champion 2022: L-R Hugh Bevan, Narromine and Claudia McConnaughty, Baradine with Amity Chase, Trangie 

Overall Champion on the day was awarded to Claudia McConnaughty from Baradine, who also took out senior Champion just ahead of Reserve Senior Champion Hugh Bevan from Narromine.  

Junior Champion was awarded to Amelia Janhsen from Trangie, while Geogia Barclay (Trangie) and Sam Chad (Dubbo) were both recognised as Reserve Junior Champions.  

TJJ Junior and Reserve Junior Champions 2022 L-R Sam Chad, Dubbo, Georgia Barclay, Trangie and Amelia Janhsen, Trangie with Amity Chase, Trangie.

The Sub Junior Most Enthusiastic Award went to Matilda Seccombe from Narromine while Condobolin High School's Dirk Riach received the Sub-Junior Encouragement Award and Barry Tollemache won the Austin Steer Memorial Award. 

Most Enthusiastic Sub Junior 2022: Amity Chase, Trangie with recipient Matilda Seccombe, Narromine 

"The Trangie Junior Judging Day has such a long community history and it's great to see so many competitors from both near and far enthusiastic about having a go," said Mrs Donoghue.  

"Condobolin High School turn up every year with a group of students which we really appreciate," she added.  

Austin Steer Memorial Award winner 2022 L-R Steve Chase, Trangie with recipient Barry Tollemache, Condobolin

Stock and products on the day were provided by NSW DPI, Egelabra Merino Stud, Double C Australian Whites, GrainCorp, Quality Wool and Queensland Cotton.