The Narrandera High School Angora Show team achieved great success at the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show on 7 and 8 April in the goats and mohair classes.

Seven Stage 5 Agriculture students and two teachers set off with 25 Angora goats and 15 fleeces. Having spent the previous 12 months refining their skills and preparing their fleeces and animals, the team was well prepared for the competition.

Arriving in Sydney earlier than expected the team had an early breakfast while waiting for security to organise entry in the showgrounds. Upon gaining entry it was all hands-on deck. The wethers that had been on display at the goat mountain for the previous week were swapped out with fresh wethers once the animals were unloaded and placed into the induction pens where they were inspected and registrations were checked off.

While this was happening the pens were set up and the rest of the gear unloaded and stored. The fleeces were presented to the judge and were competitive in the mohair competition, a highlight being the win in the 5kg of kid fleece. This was the team’s first major success in the judging of mohair by the team at any Sydney Royal.

The rest of the day was spent setting up and getting the animals ready for their appearance in the Grand Parade. All students and seven of the Angora wethers were presented to the crowd, surrounded by the beef cattle, horses, pigs and poultry (in wagons).

Returning the animals to their pens and checking their feed and water it was time to find the Cattleman’s Cafeteria and sit down for a well-earned break.

After dinner the team went to the main arena to take in the night’s entertainment which included a Rodeo, A tribute to Banjo, the chicken run, Grandstand Grove Dance Party, the motocross riders and the fireworks to finish the night.

Leaving the showground at 9.30pm the team set off for their accommodation at an Air B and B at Lane Cove.

Monday morning came far too quickly and in no time the team boarded the bus at 5.30am for the trip to Olympic Stadium to feed, water and prepare the stud animals for their competition.

It was very successful morning with many placements in their classes, culminating with a young buck being awarded reserve champion junior buck in the open classes.

In the school’s competition the team maintained their high standards of presentation and were rewarded with many placings in the classes they entered. In the afternoon the groups of animals were presented to the judge, where they were successful in both the open and school classes.

Day two Tuesday 7 April saw the pressure placed on the students who competed in junior judging and Paraders competitions.

In the paraders classes students had to compete in heats before being short-listed for the finals. All students that entered were assessed on their skills in handling the animals and quizzed on their knowledge of the industry.

In the open paraders Ms Gruessing was placed second, while Mr Shady was left in the back row.

The teams of wethers were then judged, followed by the individual wethers. With the help of some of the other schools Narrandera High collected their four teams of three wethers and entered the showring. The animals were then presented individually to the judge.

On the final day, Wednesday 8 April it was shearing day for all the production classes. Starting well before the stewards arrived the team tendered their animals and then rallied to help prepare the showring for a big day of shearing.

Pens, scales and tables were set up and plastic laid down to protect the show floor, ready to process the wethers and stud classes for production classes. In this competition the animals combined commercial values are calculated.

A huge thanks to all the students who stepped up to make this competition run so smoothly and in a timely manner. This combined with their professionalism when cleaning up and packing up their area was the key in an early return home on Thursday morning.

During all the action the team also had to interact with thousands of visitors and participate in many media moments, where they shared their experiences and explained all the behind-the-scenes activities that go on prior to and during and post competitions.

This year the team spoke on the Country Hour (ABC radio), Channels seven and nine, and had visits from politicians and representatives from the Department of Education.

Results:

• Champion Schools Wether Herdsman competition

• Champion Schools team of three Wethers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th

• Champion Schools Wether Competition Production: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th

• Schools Wether Competition Presentation: 3rd place

• Champion Schools Sire’s Progeny under 12 months

• Champion Schools Sire’s Progeny over 12 months

• Champion Group of 3 Angoras any age Schools Competition

• Champion Angora any sex Schools Competition

• Reserve Champion Angora any sex Schools Competition

• Reserve Champion Kid Angora Buck

• Champion Junior Judge – 1st Isabel Bisby, 5th place Judd Powel

• Champion Junior Parader -1st Gaby Walsh, 2nd Sarah Hewitt, 3rd Gemma Hugo and 4th Isabel Bisby

• Champion Led Wether Paraders -1st Gaby Walsh, 2nd Sarah Hewitt, 3rd Gemma Hugo and 4th Isabel Bisby

• Senior Paraders: 2nd Ms Gruessing, back row, Mr Shady.

• First place in Mohair for 5kg of Skirted Kid Fleece

• Most successful school with Angora Goats and Mohair

A huge thanks to all those who have contributed to making this such a successful experience.

A special mention to (in no particular order)

• Frances who opened her home, providing safe home away from the frantic and competitive atmosphere at Olympic Park.

• The Sydney Royal Agricultural Society for Hosting the Event.

• Alanna and her team of helpers for all their efforts in making the event run so smoothly.

• Sarah and all the steward for their patience and willingness to include all students in the event.

• Mr Petrie Mare’ who came all the was from South Africa to judge the Angoras and Mohair this year.

• Ms Ella Gruessing for giving up four days of her Easter Holidays to help the student.

• The families and broader Narrandera High School Community for their continued support.