WEEKS of lunchtimes spent in the ag plot paid off for the students of St Lawrence’s Primary School, Coonabarabran, who swept the floor with their show team of Dorset Horn and Poll Dorsets at the Sydney Royal Show last week.
Ten wide-eyed Year Six students showed on behalf of Bimbadeen Park, owned by the school’s science relief teacher Sue McGoldrick.
They claimed a coup of ribbons and trophies, including the prestigious W. J. Dawkins Perpetual Trophy for the best bare shorn Dorset Horn ram. In the schools interbreed competition they won the champion schools ram and took out the title of grand champion schools exhibit.
The team’s success was extra special to the small school’s family following the sudden passing of their beloved principal, Sue’s husband Terry McGoldrick, in October. A longtime exhibitor, he was also dear to many sheep breeders, judges and stewards who gather each year at the Sydney Royal.
Mrs McGoldrick said the students worked hard for their success.
“They broke in the sheep, fed them and looked after them for the three months leading up to the show and helped me card their wool, clip their feet, wash them for the show ring,” she said.
Bimbadeen Park were named the most successful Dorset Horn exhibitor having won grand and reserve grand champion Dorset Horn ram as well as grand and reserve grand champion Dorset Horn ewe. They placed in numerous classes in the Poll Dorset competition.