There was great excitement around the English Leicester ring during the 2019 Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo when an 11 year-old breeder was awarded the reserve championship for his two year old ram.
For George Willows, Nant, Evandale, Tasmania it was his first time as an exhibitor at the premier sheep show and he was justly proud of his success.
"I was very excited, especially when I was able to sell my first ram," he said.
Victorian English Leicester breeder Ros Cohen approached George after the judging had been completed and made an offer to purchase the reserve champion ram which was settled by private negotiation.
George inherited the stud from his maternal grandfather, Ian Campbell who had started the Nant stud in 1948 when he was 10 years old having been given a draft of ewes by his grandfather.
The Australian English Leicester Association kindly allowed George to retain his grandfathers stud prefix.
The late Mr Campbell was keen to have his grandson take over the stud as George had always shown an eager interest in the sheep from a young age.
Because George and his family were living in Singapore, Edward Hogarth kindly looked after the flock until the Willows' returned to Tasmania.
Now running a flock of 52 ewes and 13 rams, George has already booked a return trip to the mainland to attend the 2020 Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo.
George and his father Paul attended the 2018 show where George was mentored by the stalwart English Leicester exhibitor, Colin Taylor, Koenarl, Timboon, Victoria.
"The people with heritage breeds are very generous," Paul Willows said. "They are encouraging young breeders like George and also Edward Southwell that there is a place for English Leicesters."
Mr Willows thought it important his family retain their association with the English Leicester breed but also because their stud flock ensures breed genetic diversity.
