GOOD FRIENDS: Bec Atkins, Sally Clayton, Lachie Dawes, Lilly Tonks, Pat Mercer, Jack Quirk, Eryn Coles, Joel Maguire, Samuel Cooper, Brodie Caughlan, Charlie Iffland, Amy Munro, Lilly Stoyles, Isabella Ford, Elsa Bates-Gussoni, Rebecca Giffin and Joseph Weinburg love being in the James Sheahan cattle team because they have become such close friends. Photo JUDE KEOGH 0507cattleteam
THE James Sheahan High School cattle team enjoys nothing more than spending time together over a bale of hay and a nicely washed Angus.
Team captain Eryn Coles said winning prizes was a bonus and the team certainly got a big bonus at the Bathurst and Orange shows recently.
The students came away with 15 different ribbons for various categories at the shows, nearly one ribbon per team member.
Eryn said the whole team deserve the large haul as they have all worked really well together.
“Everybody has put in all the effort and we really do work as a team,” she said.
The group agreed they were more like a cattle team family and will be sad when Eryn and other year 12 students leave at the end of the year.
Principal Mark Pauschmann said he was surprised at how many children who have no experience with farming sign up to the team.
Joel Maguire who is originally from Sydney and lives in town became so interested in agriculture he convinced his mum to start a stud.
“We bought a heifer and showed it at the show,” he said.
“It is staying at a property and we intend to breed some more from it.”
Joel said his father was not too keen on the idea but he had since converted him.
“I would tell anyone who doesn’t think they like cattle to just give it a go and it is actually a really good experience.”
The team took home many ribbons including first in junior judging, first and second in senior parading and many places in the young country achiever section.
Joel took home the overall intermediate country achiever award.