WINGHAM Beef Week is an annual community event that celebrates every aspect of the beef industry, bringing together students and industry experts for a week of learning and competition.
The Gloucester High School show team attended the week-long program, which provides a hands-on learning experience of the Australian Beef Industry.
“It’s an intense week for the students,” said Chris Murray, Head Teacher TAS (Technical and Applied Studies).
“But it’s also an invaluable chance for them to develop practical skills, build confidence, and learn the language of the beef industry.”
Makaylee Gooch and Alicia Edwards, both Year 11 students, have been dedicated members of the show team since their first year at Gloucester High.
“Attending Wingham Beef Week is an amazing opportunity to deepen our understanding of the beef industry,” Makaylee said.
“Preparing the steers for Beef Week is hard work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding,” said Alicia.
“We usually devote four or five hours each week during free periods and lunch breaks to care for the steers, but in the lead-up to Beef Week, our commitment intensifies.
“The steers have to be conditioned, clipped, brushed, and washed: it’s almost like giving them a full spa treatment,” Alicia said.
Judging at Beef Week involves two main elements: ‘On The Hoof’ and ‘On The Hook.’
Alicia explained that On The Hoof was primarily about “showing off your animal and your skills at handling the animal”.
“On The Hook means the carcase of the steer is judged. Sometimes, a steer might look impressive on the outside but not meet the highest quality standards on the inside,” Makaylee said.
Wingham Beef Week is the only event in NSW that invites students behind-the-scenes at Wingham Beef Export’s processing facility for carcase viewing, assessment, and evaluation.
The Encouragement Award is also an important aspect of Wingham Beef Week.
More than 400 students from 20 to 30 schools apply for the Encouragement Award each year, making it a highly competitive honour.
Makaylee was nominated by Gloucester High, wrote a letter, and participated in an interview with a panel that assessed her leadership skills and dedication to the school’s show team.
Makaylee was placed fourth.
Other highlights from the week included an Honourable Mention in Junior Judging for Lara Taylor and a first-place finish for W18 in the Light Middleweight 2.1 class, On The Hook.
By Wendy BUSWELL
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