For the past seven years, when Frensham's co-ordinator of agriculture Leonie Mutch has reached out to parents for support of the school's show cattle team, Sandra and Matt Ireson, Belmont, Booligal, have endeavoured to gift one of their steers to Frensham's program.
The partnership with the boarding school for girls in Mittagong started in 2012 when their daughter Ellie was in Year 7 and is still going strong in 2019 in support of Pip who is in Year 11.
This year, the Ireson's Angus steer, Nollsie, who subsequently became the school steer, paid dividends, when, led by Pip, he was awarded a highly commended in the competitive school heavyweight steer competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Pip and Nollsie also won the regional shows' ECM Livestock junior steer competition, a combined steer and paraders' class.
Her sister Ellie had previously won the competition with Kracka, a Charolais from Airlie Charolais stud, Glenquarry.
"It was such a thrill for Pip and our home grown steer, Nollsie, to do so well in the competitions," Mrs Ireson said.
"We have had such a terrible few years of drought and have had to sell off so many cattle, so it was such a lovely positive thing for us over the past months. And Nollsie certainly had a better life at Frensham than here!"
Pip made her own strong contribution to the program, picking out Nollsie in the paddock.
She handled him at home in the holidays and took on all the responsibility for him at the school and at shows.
"We are very proud of her," Mrs Ireson said.
The Iresons were also pleased that so many other Frensham girls could experience handling cattle using Nollsie and congratulated the Frensham show cattle team on their performance, particularly in winning the Sydney Royal Easter Show's herdsman competition.
"Frensham has such a wonderful agriculture program for all girls, including those who do not come off the land, where they can be involved in cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens and learn all about pastures, animal health and welfare and new agricultural technologies," Mrs Ireson said.
"The girls also have the opportunity to take part in youth judging competitions where they not only improve their knowledge, but also their public speaking skills."
When considering boarding schools for their daughters, the agriculture program at Frensham was a key factor in the family's decision.
"Frensham is unique in its strong ag program for girls, enhanced by its on-site Holt Farm and the celebration of the program by the entire school," Mrs Ireson said.
"We also felt the agricultural element would feel a bit like home and give our girls something to connect and talk about with us.
"The girls are so fortunate to have a passionate, knowledgeable role model in their teacher Leonie Mutch. The time and effort she puts into the program, year after year, is amazing. To see Frensham old girls excelling in their diverse agriculture careers after school is a credit to Frensham and to Ms Mutch."
Head of Frensham, Julie Gillick, agreed.
"We are thrilled with the connections developed by Leonie over the past 13 years, where rural families support the school through our shared commitment to the study of Agriculture," she said.
"We extend our gratitude to those like Matt and Sandra, who - despite the drought - have kept providing steers for the girls to raise and to exhibit as part of Frensham's show team."