Introducing HA's newest members to the National Judging panel

Holstein Australia welcomes six new members to the National Holstein All Australian Judges Panel, following a national judging school held at Echuca, Victoria, in May 2026

Congratulations to the following:

• Emily Brown
• Erin Ferguson
• Hayden King
• Kelly Bleijendaal
• Renee Anderson
• Ross Easterbrook

Twenty one participants from right across Victoria including Gippsland, Western Victoria, Northern Victoria and the North West region participated at this years event.

Overjudges for the 2026 school included Jade Sieben, Brindabella Holsteins (Vic), Pat Nicholson, Jugiong Jerseys (Vic), Vaughn Johnson, Ewen Pine Holsteins (SA) and Wes Brown, Julenwes Holsteins (NSW), who all shared their pivotal knowledge and experience across the three days.

The school commenced on Sunday with participants meeting in Echuca before heading on farm to Gundry’s at Gunbower, where Sean Millar from Holstein Australia presented a cow breakdown session before participants judged cows in groups. Evening sessions covered OFC judging, conformation breakdown percentages and terminology, different breed characteristics, photo competitions and All Australian class judging.

Monday included on farm judging sessions at Gorgala Holsteins, Clydebank Holsteins and Jugiong Jerseys, giving participants the opportunity to judge a variety of cattle in group situations across both Holstein and Jersey herds. Evening sessions focused on judging etiquette, ring craft, working with a steward, ethics, public speaking and microphone technique, before participants completed the exam component.

A big thank you to the Northwest Vic Sub Branch for hosting this year’s event, along with the generous host herds including Gunwilla; Gundry’s, Gordon; Gorgala, Somerville; Clydebank, Nicholson; Jugiong and Gordon; Gorbro Holsteins for the show day component.

The school would not have been a success without the support and effort of local Sub-branch members. Every aspect of the event was meticulously planned and organised, including participants' meals and accommodation, farm visits, educational resources, social media promotion, and ongoing communication with Head Office to ensure all stakeholders were kept informed and up to date throughout the event.

Special thanks goes to the North-Western Districts members: With a particular thanks going to members Jon Holland, Jade Sieben, Clare Modra & Pat Nicholson for such a huge effort.