Top of the class: St Paul's College scores big at beef bonanza with home-grown Angus

St Paul’s College in Walla Walla recently brought home a major win (or two) from Australia’s largest youth livestock event, including supreme champion carcase and grand champion led carcase.

In a first-time event for the college, 10 students and five steers travelled to the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza in Scone to join 800 students and 400 steers from around the country competing for prestigious titles.

The champion Angus steer, affectionately known as ‘SPC Ultra’, was born at the college and received an overall score of 95.43.

Head of St Paul’s agriculture department, Belinda Everingham, described the result as a very exciting accolade.

“The score of 95.43 is a red meat industry standard score developed by MSA [Meat Standards Australia],” she said. “Not just school standards. It is a significant achievement and a reflection of the teamwork here at the college.”

In an unexpected twist, Ms Everingham purchased the steer’s herd on Auctions Plus in 2023. It wasn’t until she spoke to the agent that she realised the 12 cows and calves came not only from Walla Walla, but from a farming family of the school.

“This is a steer I purchased as part of a three-in-one unit (cows and calves with the cow in calf) last year,” she said.

“I had been in the job a week-and-a-half when I found them online. When I spoke to the agent he told me they were from Jason and Shelley Schilg in Walla Walla. I had no idea! It was such a surprise when I found out they came from a parent of the school.

“It’s a really nice holistic story and I’ve been in contact with Jason and Shelley the whole way through and kept them updated. They were stoked to hear about the win.”

The college team also won the champion heavy middleweight carcase, jackpot middleweight carcase and overall jackpot winner. The college came third in the Team of 3 carcase competition.

“We want to be aiming for the best,” Ms Everingham said.

“I believe in the ability of the Angus breed to produce a good carcase animal. When I bought them, I was looking for some good cows that could breed some good quality carcase calves and that’s exactly what’s happened.”

Ms Everingham emphasised the victory reflected the effort of the entire team at the school. While 10 students were chosen to attend the event, the entire agricultural contingent of staff and students played a role in the success.

“The students who went represented the college with pride and took care preparing the animals, not just on the day, they have been actively engaged in this for the whole year,” she said.

“There were many more students worthy of going, it just had to be narrowed down and those who went were from a wide level of experience.

“That’s the opportunity of these events.”

She said the well renowned and respected Beef Bonanza was a big drawcard for the college and its students.

“The opportunities for young people to engage with industry representatives and gain first-hand experiences up there is invaluable.

“I’ve had students in the past where this has set them up for a career in agriculture for life. It’s not just about showing cattle, it’s about them being engaged in the industry and seeing the opportunities of jobs available in the sector. It’s huge.”

College principal Anita Morton said St Paul’s was extremely proud.

“This is a true reflection of the dedication and leadership of head of department, Ms Belinda Everingham, show team manager Ms Rebekka Bayly and our passionate agricultural staff,” Ms Morton said.

“With years of agriculture and beef industry experience, Ms Everingham and her team provide invaluable knowledge and opportunities for our students in the agricultural industry.

“We would also like to thank our supporters of our beef show team, the Maclure family, the Brewer family, the Weller family, and Evan and Terry Fryer. Their support is nothing short of amazing.”