Finley High takes Melbourne Show by storm

By Alexandra Wilson

Oct 14, 2022

Lilly McNamara with Scout a Shorthorn bred and prepared by FHS.

Finley High School students participated in three major sections of the Melbourne Royal: the Sheep, Beef Carcase and Beef Cattle competitions.

During the Sheep and Beef Carcase competitions, 34 students from years seven to 11 competing. As well as parading the livestock, students also competed in the School and College Paraders competition.

Seven students from year seven to 11 represented the school for the Stud Beef Cattle week.

FHS was at the Melbourne Royal for the entirety of the show, from Tuesday September 20, returning home on Monday October 3.

Sheep highlights:

The Sheep Team with Sparticus, the Supreme Ram at the Melbourne Royal this year.

• Interbreed Champion Ram;

• Champion Poll Dorset Ram;

• Reserve Champion Poll Dorset Ram;

• Reserve Champion Poll Dorset Ewe; and

• First place in the Breeders Group of 3;

Of eight open classes entered, the students achieved seven first place ribbons.

Beef Carcase highlights:

Students with our haul of awards from the Beef Carcase Competition

• FHS exhibited 13 steers or heifers.

• Led steers placed three times as the first place school or college steer. These were all animals bred by Finley High School.

• Reserve champion domestic steer or heifer with a heifer called Delta, bred at FHS.

• In the School and College Paraders' competition, students excelled, with 20 out of the 32 FHS competitors receiving a ribbon for their efforts. Hayley Palmer placed first in her class. She then competed and was successful in winning the Champion Intermediate Parader title. Nine students also placed second in their class.

Calf Classic capers. The students selected the Frozen theme for their entry this year. This is a total student-driven entry.

Stud Beef Cattle highlights:

• FHS exhibited seven Shorthorns in classes.

• First place with FHS Showgirl; and

• First place with FHS Ron.

Our other junior heifers were placed thirdrd in their classes.

• Ron was the Senior Champion Bull. In the Senior Bull Interbreed competition, he was placed fourth out of 11 senior bulls. Ron was sold in the "Royal Rumble" auction at the show for $6,000.

The Beef Carcase awards:

Travis Lawton with Magic Man. Magic Man was supplied by Nathan Everingham; he took out the Grand Champion Carcase award.

• FHS reached the pinnacle of the competition with a Limousin steer, "Magic Man". Magic Man was donated to the school by Nathan Everingham. Magic Man won the Marcus Oldham College Trophy as the highest-scoring school or college steer or heifer. The steer was Champion Heavy Domestic Steer or Heifer, and ultimately, he won the Grand Champion Steer or Heifer of the show for us.

Emma Cassanova with Sid a Shorthorn bred and prepared by FHS.

• Second place in the Domestic class, with Delta.

• FHS also won the Bott-Burston Trophy for the most successful school or college exhibitor.

Shannae Thomson with Eddie who was donated by Jack and Maree Doyle

On behalf of the school, Gary Webb, Robyn O’Leary and Mike O'Leary would like to mention those people who assisted with the trip: Steer donors; Michael Tooke; Alan Thwaites and Susan Carmichael; Ian Fox (Renard Blondes, Cobram); Amanda and Scott Watkins; and Nathan Everingham.

Finley Rotary donated close to $6,000 to sponsor the students to get to the show.

Dylan provided his truck and Nick Gray transported steers to the Finley Show.

He also provided the truck to transport the steers to Melbourne.

Jeremy Robertson drove the truck on this occasion.

David Marsden supplied his truck to transport stud stock to the Melbourne Royal.

Hayden White volunteered to manoeuvrer the truck and stock to and from the showgrounds.

Mums Tessa McNamara, Sarah Singleton and Kirstie Chesworth came along to the show and preparing meals and washed clothes.