The infamous annual Junior Judging in Trangie was held on Monday with great success. Near 70 competitors rolled into the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre (TARC) to attempt to stake their claim on prize money, and some very historical silver trophies which have been in existence since judging began in Trangie back in 1929.
Budding junior and senior judges from Trangie, Narromine, Nevertire, Warren, Dunedoo, Peak Hill, Moree, Henty and across the district competed in various sections including beef cattle, Merino sheep, meat sheep (Border Leicesters and Poll Dorsets) and Merino fleeces.
One star senior competitor, Nevertire’s Diana George, said this annual competition was a wonderful event which was demonstrated by the number and quality of competitors that attended each year.
“I started judging when I was a junior,” Miss George said.
“Now I am one of the older, senior competitors, so I have been doing this for a long, long time - I can’t tell you how many years.
“I started judging here in Trangie years ago and went off to win reserve champion at Sydney Royal in 2008, so it just shows you that this event is renowned for being one of the best - Mrs (Belinda) Haigh has given me a great start off in something I really enjoy doing.”
Miss George said judging, which used to be dominated by males, now attracted a lot of girls to the field.
“When I started there were mostly boys competing but these days there are more girls than boys and the girls really do hold their own,” she said.
“Junior judging is a wonderful thing because it gives you confidence in speaking in front of people. The thing I like best about it is being in control. Having the microphone, people have to listen to you.
“I was told from a young age by Steve Chase who lives next door to us, that when you are up there and you’re junior judging, you say what you see and nothing else.
“You need to remember you are the judge so not everyone has to agree with you, but you do have to sell it to them. If you believe in what you have chosen then it is the right answer.
“This is what I’d tell junior judges coming up through the ranks today,” Miss George said.
“It is good fun taking part in this event and it is a great day that TARC and Belinda put on, and I’d encourage everyone to come along and have a go at doing it next year.”
Belinda Haigh from the Trangie P, A & H Association, was happy with the outcome from Monday’s event.
“It turned out to be lovely weather and it is a great opportunity for kids to meet other people they wouldn’t have the chance to do so normally,” she said.
“Our youngest competitor was just five years old and we had a strong field of senior judges compete.”
Junior Judging in Trangie is steeped in history. John Horrigan took out the first title in 1929 and well-known local identity Charlie Haigh was also a place getter.
With a personal interest in Junior Judging over the years, president of the association Bob Richardson is currently gathering information to it put into a document which will be made available to the public on completion.
Results from Monday are featured on page 2 of today’s Narromine News and Trangie Advocate and photos from the event will be featured in Friday’s edition.
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