Prize for young sheep handler

HANDLING sheep is a family affair for Ava Harris.

Her father Alan is a third-generation farmer who operates Koole Vale Merino Stud with his wife Prue at Costerfield.

Last month, 17-year-old Ava won the Junior Sheep Handler prize at the Victorian Sheep Show.

“I’ve been doing sheep handling for about four years,” said Ava, “but I’ve been around sheep all my life.”

“I really enjoy it. Handlers need to hold the sheep while a judge asks questions about its breeding, wool type, age and when it was last shorn.

“I was competing against about 30 others and my cousin Nash won second prize.”

Ava has collected several prizes for her handling skills, including First Prize in the 2023 and 2024 Autumn Wimmera Sheep Shows.

Although the Catherine McAuley College student seems to have taken to agriculture like a duck to water, she is leaning towards another industry when it comes to her professional future.

“My favourite subject is allied health and I’m leaning towards a career in the health industry,” she said.

“But the farm and sheep will always be a special part of my life.”