Moree student Grace Kelso, far right, with members of the PLC Armidale Stage 5 Agriculture class and their ribbons from the 2026 NSW Merino Wether Challenge. Image: PLC Armidale
Moree student Grace Kelso has helped her PLC Armidale agriculture team claim top honours at the 2026 NSW Merino Wether Challenge in Dubbo, where the school was named Overall Best Presented Team in Wool across a field of 68 schools.
Grace, who is from Moree and boards full-time at PLC Armidale, was also part of the Stage 5 Agriculture team crowned Overall Champion Zone 1 Team, finishing ahead of 16 other schools in its zone.
The results followed months of work by Grace and her teammates, who were responsible for caring for and preparing the school’s Merino wethers while developing practical skills in sheep husbandry, nutrition, wool production and flock management.
PLC Armidale’s Zone 1 results included first place for Best Presented Team in Wool and Highest Carcase Value, second place for Best Presented Team Out of Wool and Highest Wool Value, and third place for Best Presented Team Out of Wool.
More than 600 students prepared and presented about 400 Merino wethers during the two-day competition, following several months of hands-on animal management at their schools.
PLC Armidale Agriculture teacher Briony Looker said students had spent months preparing for the competition.
“Our students dedicated many months to managing, monitoring and preparing their wethers for the competition,” Mrs Looker said.
“To be named the best-presented team in wool across the entire competition, and the overall Zone 1 champions, is an exceptional achievement. Grace and her teammates represented PLC Armidale with great skill, teamwork and professionalism.”
The NSW Merino Wether Challenge combines practical competition with workshops, activities and presentations from industry experts, introducing students to different areas of the sheep and wool industry and potential career pathways.
PLC Armidale principal Nicola Taylor said agricultural education provided opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with practical experience.
“Programs such as the Merino Wether Challenge encourage our girls to think critically, solve problems, work collaboratively and persist through challenges,” Mrs Taylor said.
“We are particularly proud to see regional students such as Grace building the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to contribute to the future of Australian agriculture.”
The event was staged by Australian Wool Innovation.
