Expo’s first fence challenge a success

Two teams of students from the WA College of Agriculture — Morawa have been crowned winners of the inaugural Waratah Mingenew Fencing Competition.

It was the first time the challenge had been held at the McIntosh & Son Mingenew Midwest Expo, after being held at Dowerin Farm Field Days for several years.

Four teams of four students took part in two separate competitions, with two teams in each round. Each team had 40 minutes to build a 20 metre fence using strainers, wire and posts.

Waratah Fencing territory sales manager David Biss judged the fences and said the standard was “very good”.

“The competition was based around their competence side of things,” he said.

“They had to build a fairly standard fence, with a focus on being straight, strained correctly and looking right. Fencing is a basic skill which gives the students a good grounding ... we pointed out what was done well and what needed to be improved.”

A team of Year 11 students won the first round, before a team of Year 10-12 students won the second round.

WA College of Agriculture — Morawa principal Dean Carslake said the students had learnt fencing skills at school.

“I think the students have done a really good job at building the fences,” he said. “It is certainly a skill we try to incorporate into our programs.”

The competition was held within the Elders Livestock Arena, which local Elders manager Jarrad Kupsch said was a welcome addition.

“It is a good fit, the agriculture college kids usually come to Expo, but this was a good way to get them involved,” he said.

“Each fence had to be nice and tight and tidy, with the posts evenly spread. We were also looking for professionalism and teamwork.”

The competition will be held at Expo next year.