Goulburn's Claire Neale and Trinity team take on show circuit

It couldn't be otherwise for the 15-year-old Trinity Catholic College student who has won her way to the Royal Agricultural Society's state final for vegetable judging.

The honour came after she placed second in the recent zone final in Goulburn.

At the Yass Show on Saturday, March 18, Claire also took out the merino judging competition. She was duly invited to be associate Merino judge at the 2024 Yass Show.

"It was quite exciting and unexpected," she told The Post.

"When you're judging you look at wool, (staple) length, their neck, legs and form, teeth and consider their age."

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The teenager only started merino judging this year but has had plenty of hands-on experience growing up on her parents' Goulburn district property.

Her grandfather, the late Bill Keough from Taralga, was also a grazier.

"My mum said he would have been proud," Claire said.

When not competing at shows, the youngster is undertaking her Duke of Edinburgh Award. She has just completed her bronze medallion and has started her silver medallion.

The Yass Show proved rich pickings for the Trinity team. Sienna Manning placed third and Tom Bradley fifth out of 24 competitors in the merino judging competition.

The school's sheep also took out the champion ewe, reserve champion ewe and shorn ewe classes.

A day earlier, Sienna was part of the winning team in the Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe competition.

Tom Bradley, from Braidwood, placed second in the Yass Show's meat breeds sheep category and booked a place in the finals at Sydney Royal next month.

It's been a busy month for the Trinity team, under Rachel Smith's tutelage. They have also competed at the Crookwell and Goulburn Shows.

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