Wagin Woolorama: Dream team of old and new friends win Young Farmers Competition at the Wine Baa

A ‘dream team’ of former colleagues, cousins and a ‘wild card’ female to fill a mandatory gender quota has scooped the Young Farmers Competition at this year’s Wagin Woolorama and qualified for the Perth Royal Show.

Perth-based veterinarian Steph Nichols was enjoying a quiet drink at the bar when she was hastily approached by three friendly blokes looking for a female to join their four-person team to enter the Young Farmers Competition.

She quickly found her skills perfectly matched those of Jackson Chapman, a Queensland-based refrigeration mechanic travelling across Australia, Gnowangerup-raised mining shot firer Harrison Egberts, and Perth high school student Sebastian Walton.

The group of old and new friends took the prestigious title from six other teams in a lively performance during the competition held in front of Woolorama’s Wine Baa, celebrating their win by taking home a range of prizes.

It was the second time Woolorama had hosted a Young Farmers Competition, after the inaugural event in 2021.

Team leader Harrison said it was an honour to win alongside his former staff member Jackson, cousin Sebastian and new friend Steph.

“We didn’t plan to enter, but about two minutes before the show started the lady running the show dragged us in,” he said.

“We kept a clear head, loud voices, and had some sharp shooting from Sebastian and Jackson to get the boots in the wheelbarrow.”

The teams were put through their paces, with each competitor jumping over a fence before the group sorted a handful of ear tags in order of year, painted the Woolorama 2023 logo on a wool bag, and then threw boots into a wheelbarrow and raced to the finish line.

Harrison said taking part in the competition was a good way to top off a great day.

The three boys had spent it mostly watching the junior rodeo and barrel racing and the competition was the perfect way to gear up before the Blight’s Haulage rodeo that night.

Jackson — who was piled into the wheelbarrow and pushed across the finish line to seal the win — laughed when he said he brought supreme athletic ability to the team.

He took part in the Young Farmers Challenge just hours after running up Bluff Knoll in the Porongurup.

“I was nice and quick, and nice and light to be carried home in the wheelbarrow,” Jackson said with a laugh.

Head steward Kelly Gorter and Woolorama Rural Ambassador Chloe Blight coordinated this year’s Young Farmer Challenge, with the event attracting plenty of attention from those enjoying at drink and some food at the Wine Baa.

Inspired by the Young Farmer Challenge held in New Zealand since 1969, Young Farmer events have become increasingly popular across Australia as a way to network and show off skills.

The concept is simple.

Participants aged 18 to 35 are invited to form a mixed-gender team of four to take part in a series of four surprise challenges.

The Challenge is run in line with Agricultural Shows Australia rules, with six timed events and time penalties implemented or safety breaches — and a big focus on teamwork.

The winning team qualifies for the Young Farmers WA final at the Perth Royal Show in September, with the winner of the State event then invited to take part in next year’s Australian Young Farmers Challenge.

The Perth Royal Show Young Farmers Challenge State final will be held in September.