Eight young agricultural judges and paraders from Western Australia will shine on the national stage next month. 

The 2026 Agricultural Shows Australia's National Young Judges and Paraders Championships will run from 6-10 August 2026 at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka). 

The prestigious competition includes paraders of beef and dairy cattle, young judges of beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, and poultry, the Australian Young Farmers Challenge, and National Rural Ambassador Award.

Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions. The national championships are held in a different location each year. This year's championships are hosted by Queensland Ag Shows. 

WA finalists

Kendall Heliams, 19, Williams | Meat Sheep Breeds Young Judges

Whilst Kendall Heliams hails from a south-eastern outer-metropolitan suburb of Perth, you'll find her working as a farm hand with Dongiemon Grazing Company in the southern Wheatbelt. She says her biggest achievement came at the 2025 Perth Royal Show, where she won the Meat Sheep Breeds Young Judges state final. 

"I would like to advocate to city youth that you can have a successful and rewarding agricultural career even though you may not have grown up in an agricultural area.  If you are passionate and driven, prepared to put in the time and effort, anyone can do it. There are many people in the agricultural industry that are willing to help you if you want to succeed," Kendall said. 

"This competition is very important in introducing youth, including metropolitan youth, to opportunities to be exposed to a hands-on aspect of agriculture and to meet people within the agricultural industry."

Thomas Spencer, 24, Muchea | Poultry Young Judges

Thomas Spencer's family has bred purebred poultry for generations. He started showing poultry 17 years ago and hasn't missed a Moora Show since. 

Thomas works with Nutrien Ag Solutions in its breeding department and has previously represented Western Australia at national level in both poultry and beef cattle judging competitions. He credits his grandparents, local poultry society members, and the WA cattle showing community with shaping his agricultural journey.

Johnny Marsiske, 17, Blythewood | Dairy Cattle Young Judges and Dairy Cattle Paraders

Johnny Marsiske works on his family's cattle property and is completing an apprenticeship in heavy diesel mechanics. He's already established his own stud, River Vale Simmentals, and leases 130 acres. The motivated teenager saved hard to purchase his own tractor, bailer and silage wrapper that he uses to go contracting in his off time.

Johnny became involved in cattle showing at the age of eight. A major highlight was winning the Western Australian state finals in both Dairy Cattle Young Judges and Dairy Cattle Paraders.

"Agricultural shows have given me so many opportunities and I'm grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way," Johnny said.

Grace Henderson, 19, Esperance | Beef Cattle Young Judges

Grace Henderson's love for cattle (or 'oversized grass puppies', as she describes them) began at age five when her mum introduced her to showing.

Grace works on Nerrima Pastoral and Kalyeeda Station near Derby, helping manage around 10,000 Brangus and Droughtmaster breeder cattle while completing a Certificate IV in Agriculture.

"These competitions are a great way for young people to learn, build networks and become more involved in Australia's agricultural industry," Grace said.

Grace hopes to establish her own Speckle Park beef stud and Ayrshire dairy stud down the track, while also mentoring the next generation of young agricultural enthusiasts and volunteering at Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia youth events. 

Max Lawrence, 16, Yarloop | Grains Young Judges

Max Lawrence has spent the past three years working with sheep producer Peter Gelmi and volunteering in the sheep pavilion at the Perth Royal Show. 

After competing in sheep handling and judging events across Western Australia, he turned his attention to grain judging in 2026.

The Year 10 student also works as a farmhand on a large dairy farm during weekends and school holidays. One of his proudest moments was judging meat sheep at the Perth Royal Show finals in front of hundreds of spectators.

"These competitions are important because they allow people to contribute to the agricultural industry, learn skills you'll always remember and meet new people," Max said.

Savannah Trevenen, 18, Lake Grace | Merino Fleece Young Judges

As a fourth-generation wool producer from Western Australia's Wheatbelt, Savannah Trevenen has always had a strong connection to the sheep and wool industry.

She enrolled at the WA College of Agriculture - Denmark in 2023 and began competing in judging competitions through the school's sheep club.

One of Savannah's proudest achievements was placing third in the Meat Breed Sheep Judging competition at Wagin Woolorama during her first agricultural show.

"Agricultural shows are important to me because they provide an opportunity to develop my skills, build industry connections and be part of a supportive community," Savannah said.

Looking ahead, she hopes to build a career in the sheep and wool industry and complete a traineeship with Dyson Jones Wool Marketing Services in its wool and sheep classing areas.

Fletcher Wetherell, 21, Boyanup | Beef Cattle Paraders

Fletcher Wetherell attended his first Perth Royal Show at just 10-days-old. He was three when he first took to the ring for a calf competition and admits he's not sure who would have been leading who - but Fletcher was hooked.

Fletcher's grandfather prides himself on producing quality cattle and clean presentable work sheds, and Fletcher now follows suit. Outside the show ring he works as an electrician specialising in solar and off-grid systems and joins a weekend fishing competition any chance he gets.

One of Fletcher's proudest achievements was helping his family win five interbreed titles at the 2024 Perth Royal Show with their Simmental cattle.

"Shows have been a huge part of my life. I love presenting quality cattle and representing our stud in the best way possible," Fletcher said.

Summer Sutherland, 19, Denmark | Merino Sheep Young Judges

Summer Sutherland has thrown herself headfirst into the world of livestock handling, sheep judging and showing after attending WA College of Agriculture - Denmark for her final schooling years. 

"I started attending sheep club as I was extremely passionate about sheep and wanted to get more knowledge and hands-on experience, and I got exactly that," Summer said. 

Her hard work paid off at the 2025 Perth Royal Show, where she won the Merino Sheep Judging competition and was the only competitor to correctly place all ewe and ram classes.

Now working as a farmhand in Denmark while studying to become a certified Pilates instructor, Summer hopes to one day own her own farm alongside a successful Pilates business.

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Sponsors: 

• Beef Cattle Young Judges: Vytelle; The Cattle Shop
• Beef Cattle Young Paraders: Vytelle; Cattle Australia; The Cattle Shop
• Merino Sheep Young Judges: Australian Wool Innovation; National Council of Wool Selling Brokers
• Merino Fleece Young Judges: Australian Wool Innovation; National Council of Wool Selling Brokers
• Grains Young Judges: Lawson Grains

Media contact: Katie Stanley, Executive Officer, Agricultural Shows Australia, [email protected] | 0402 127 001