School kids get taste of Ekka life
AN EKKA adventure has started off with a baa-ng for the Warwick State High School sheep team trio Ben Moody and Cameron and Aaron Dagg.
All Ekka first timers, the agriculture students assured they were well prepared for the week of competitions and livestock handling ahead.
"I've got $100 for showbags," Year 10 student Aaron Dagg said with his wishlist at the ready.
While sideshow alley sat firmly on the to-do list the boys were also eager to show off their judging skills.
"We are entering the junior fleece judging later in the week," Ben said.
"While we are here we have to wash, feed them and make sure they all have clean water to drink."
Though Ben has no history of working with animals before this year, the aspiring veterinarian said he had learnt a lot.
"I know how to lead the sheep and judge them, it's something different," Ben said.
For the Dagg boys however, livestock was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Our grandparents have cattle so we joined the sheep team to learn how to work with them," Year 8 student Cameron Dagg said.
"Last year, I had only been to one show but since then I have been to a heap."
During their four-day stay at the showgrounds, the boys will sleep onsite and immerse themselves into the Ekka culture while competing against some of the state's toughest agricultural schools.
