[PRESS RELEASE] National spotlight ahead for Merino judging finalists

Announcement posted by Writers Who 27 Aug 2025

Australian Wool Innovation supports the next generation of wool enthusiasts

The best young judges of Merino sheep in Australia have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete in the national finals in September.

The 2025 National Championships is being hosted by South Australian Country Shows at the Royal Adelaide Show from 1-6 September 2025. It brings together the top young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state to compete in the prestigious annual competition.

Meet the six finalists in the Merino Sheep Judging final:

SOUTH AUSTRALIA | Emi Hughes, 23, Sampson Flat

Emi Hughes is a full-time physics PhD student at the University of Adelaide. She helps manage her family's stud sheep at home and competes with her Border Collie in agility on weekends. Emi has exhibited her own sheep at local shows and is involved in judging sheep, young handlers, and young judges competitions. She's also stewarded at several events and competed in the Young Rural Ambassador program, giving her a well-rounded experience in the show community.

"I've grown up on my family's sheep stud, breeding Poll Dorsets and Texels, which sparked my passion for livestock at a young age. I've been involved in showing and judging sheep for several years, and the young judges competition has helped me build confidence in presenting my own opinions, connect with others in the industry, and learn from some of the best through mentorship."

WESTERN AUSTRALIA | Libby Hardingham, 19, Kojonup

Libby Hardingham spent her childhood helping out on her grandparents farm and later worked on family friend's farm's, where she helped with stud and commercial sheep work. She attended the WA College of Agriculture for her last three years of schooling, joining the sheep show team and getting involved in the young judges competitions. Libby's in her second year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Murdoch University and hopes to become a livestock vet in the agricultural industry. She credits her agricultural teacher for shaping her love of the young judges competition.

"Mr Colin Batt taught me all the things I needed to know about showing sheep, judging wool, merinos and meat breeds. Mr Batt, better known to the students at WACOA-Narrogin as 'Batty', ran the sheep show team and looked after the school's Suffolk stud. Taking them, as well as us students, to as many shows the school would allow him to. He ensured we had the necessary skills to make the stud sheep look best on show day and that we gave everything a go, even if we were unsure of our own abilities. Batty encouraged me to compete in the young judges competitions at all the shows and he has continued his support even after my graduation. If it wasn't for Batty I would not be where I am today, with the skills to pick out the best sheep or fleece in a group and without the networks he has helped me build within the sheep industry."

QUEENSLAND | Angus Knox, 19, Conargo (NSW)

Angus is a jackeroo at Boonoke and Wanganella studs in the NSW Riverina, considered the birthplace of the modern Australian Merino sheep. He grew up on a cattle, sheep and cropping family farm and started competing in junior Merino sheep judging at the 2024 Blackall Show where he qualified for the national championships.

"My best show moments so far have been winning the pen of three rams at Dubbo in 2024 or winning the Australian Hogget Merino Ram at the Hay Sheep Show."

VICTORIA | Tiffany Maestrale, 17, Somerville

Tiffany Maestrale is a talented cheerleader who represented Australia at the World Championships in America. She's also an aspiring school teacher and hopes to teach in a rural town to give back to the community's families.

Her favourite agricultural show? The Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show, thanks to its unbeatable atmosphere. But nothing tops the thrill of winning her first Junior Handler competition at the Red Hill Show in 2020.

"I have a strong personal connection to agriculture, having grown up around horses on a racehorse agistment property. My passion for the agricultural industry deepened at school, where I proudly captained our sheep showing team. This role gave me hands-on experience and a lasting appreciation for animal husbandry and rural life."

NEW SOUTH WALES | Luke Meredith, 21, Nevertire

Luke works full-time with Egelabra Merino Stud near Warren, NSW, while studying a Bachelor of Agriculture online through Charles Sturt University. Passionate about livestock, he hopes to become a livestock agent in the future. Luke was introduced to the Young Judges competition through his work with Egelabra.

"I was very fortunate to attend shows during high school with the school's show team showing both sheep and cattle. My best moment at a show was winning the Merino Young Judges State Championships this year at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in April."

TASMANIA | Jock Johnstone, 18, Longford

Jock Johnstone lives on a sheep and mixed cropping farm and is completing Year 12. His interest in sheep sparked his involvement in judging just last year - and it's already paid off, with a win at his favourite event, the Campbell Town Show. When he's not studying or working for a local drainage business, Jock keeps busy playing polocrosse.

Jacqueline (Jac) Wilson-Smith, Chair of Agricultural Shows Australia - the peak body representing 572 agricultural shows that attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1 billion to the national economy - describes the competition as a celebration of emerging talent in livestock judging across the country.

"This is an incredibly prestigious event, and earning a spot in the nationals is highly sought after," Jac said.

"These young competitors represent the future of agricultural show competitions, which play a vital role in advancing Australia's food and fibre industries. The nationals offer an exciting chance for participants to grow both personally and professionally while testing their skills against the very best."

The Merino Sheep Judging final is sponsored by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to research, development, and marketing across the global supply chain for Australian wool.

Backed by approximately 60,000 woolgrowers who contribute to its funding, AWI works to advance and promote the wool industry.

The Merino Sheep Judging final will be held at 12.30pm on Thursday, September 4.