24/08/2026
On Monday 10th to Wednesday 12th August, 10 of our Year 9 and 10 Agriculture students travelled to Dubbo to compete in the NSW Dubbo School Merino Wether Competition.
Back in March, our students received six Merino wethers from Egelabra Merino Stud and have spent the past six months working with their sheep and developing their knowledge of meat and fibre production.
In Dubbo, the students competed their wethers in two classes and participated in an incredible range of workshops and activities. They heard from industry professionals during a careers panel, learnt about technology in the wool industry, explored the Australian sheep meat processing industry, developed their sheep judging skills, learnt about feed and nutrition and much, much more.
They also had the opportunity to put their rouseabout skills into practice, helping the shearers as they shore more than 400 wethers over the two days. They were also able to watch classes at the Rabobank National Merino Show and experience what is involved in a major sheep industry event.
What made me most proud, however, was not what happened on the judging mat, it was how our students conducted themselves throughout the entire competition.
Our students were consistently the last ones to leave workshops, hanging back to ask presenters extra questions and taking the time to thank each person who spoke to them. When it was their turn on the mat, they shook each judge's hand, confidently discussed their sheep and demonstrated the knowledge they had developed over the past six months.
While our sheep may not have taken home any ribbons, our students certainly left their mark. Out of 68 schools competing, our students were recognised as the school that engaged the most throughout the two days and represented themselves to an exceptionally high standard, and were awarded the School Encouragement Award.
The last highlight was the drive home. When everyone was asked what their favourite part of the trip had been, every student gave the same answer: being able to experience it together.
To say I am proud of these young adults doesn't even come close. They represented themselves, their families, our Agriculture program and Muswellbrook High School with enthusiasm, curiosity, respect and genuine passion for agriculture.
I could not be prouder of them.
A huge thank you to Egelabra Merino Stud for providing our students with such an incredible learning opportunity and to everyone involved in the Dubbo School Merino Wether Competition for giving our students the chance to learn from and connect with so many people across the industry.
A special thank you to BHP for their generous donation, which allowed us to purchase show shirts for our students to wear throughout the competition, and we are incredibly grateful for the support.
Ms Carter
Head Teacher STEM and Agriculture
