Longerenong College alumni Jessica Gregory is the national meat breeds sheep young judge champion, claiming the title at this year’s Ekka Show at Brisbane.

Winning the state final at Bendigo Wool and Sheep Show in a back-to-back victory, Ms Gregory now lives at Horsham while working in cropping at Donald.

Ms Gregory said she started studying livestock and agriculture in year seven while living on the Morn-ington Peninsula. “I have done a lambing season in New Zealand, and I was working in cattle back home,” she said.

“I’d love a job in livestock one day.”

Ms Gregory said she travelled to Queensland with her parents and boyfriend to compete – on her 20th birthday.

“It was my first nationals. I’ve been doing the Victorian agricultural shows since I was 15, so five years of trying to get into nationals,” she said.

“But because I have won the nationals, I don’t get to go to Perth next year now.”

In the competition’s final, competitors had six minutes to judge two breeds of sheep in the aspects of muscle, fat and structure, while simultaneously preparing for a two-minute speech to a judge and audience.

The entire August 26, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!