On the grapevine

Bridie literally scooped the pool at Melbourne Royal Show in September, when she was awarded Grand Champion Senior Parader, State Champion Junior Judge, Champion Heavy Weight Steer and Grand Champion Steer.

A fantastic achievement.

The daughter of Daryl and Lyn Chester, Bridie grew up around cattle and soon developed a passion for showing which began at the Cobram Agricultural Show at age eight, and she has been entering junior competitions ever since.

This weekend she had planned to put her skills to the test once again and show several of the family’s Angus cattle at Cobram.

With the show now cancelled, sadly she won’t get that opportunity.

Now she will have more time to hit the books in preparation for her VCE exams.

Next year Bridie plans to take a gap year before studying for a degree in nursing.

Sam has affinity with miniature goats

Young Sam Stillard, 14, began showing miniature goats for Nikki and Daryl Bird of Malarus Miniature and Pygmy Goats seven years ago, while still a student at Barooga Public School.

The Barooga teenager loves the little Australian miniature and pygmy goats and their antics and is well skilled in handling them in the show ring.

Sam has been awarded Champion Junior Handler several times over recent years and acts as a mentor to younger children who are learning to show their goats.

Sam attends Cobram Anglican Grammar School.

Isabel cooks up a storm

Isabel French, 11, just loves to cook and recently entered a Boiled Fruit Cake in the Melbourne Royal Show where she was judged a finalist in category requiring her to follow a specific recipe.

“I was very surprised that I made the final and quite excited really,” Isabel said.

The Cobram Primary School Year 6 student appears to have inherited her incredible talents in the kitchen from her much loved nan.

Being quite a dab hand at muffin making and awarded first prize for her carrot and date muffin at Kyabram Show, she qualified to compete at Seymour.

A very fine effort for an 11-year-old.