Expo makes its comeback

The 21st Williams Gateway Expo held on Saturday was a crowd pleaser celebrating its return to normalcy after the event was cancelled last year because of COVID-19.

Expo president and Williams Merino breeder Dennis Haddrick said it was good to be back.

“We had great weather with plenty of sunshine and the crowd was similar in numbers to our last three expos,” he said.

With one of the main events taking place at the sheep shed, the expo produced first time Expo supreme winners in both the Merino and Poll Merino judging with 124 entries and the British and Australasian sheep breeds competition with 252 entries.

The Button family, of Manunda stud in Tammin, who are regular participants at many of WA’s Merino and Poll Merino judging competitions were pleased to take out the top supreme award at Williams for the first time.

Their best in the shed exhibit, Manunda 65, a Poll Merino ram, was earlier judged grand champion ram of the Expo against an Angenup Merino ram that was awarded supreme exhibit at Wagin Woolorama in March.

Judge Richard House said the supreme line up that included the rams from Manunda and Angenup, had both displayed outstanding qualities.

“We awarded the Poll as best on the day,” he said.

Also winning a first title at the Expo, the King family of Rangeview stud in Darkan, were awarded the champion group award for their two Poll Merino rams and two Poll Merino ewes, all carrying fine to superfine fleeces.

In the British and Australasian breeds judging, the supreme exhibit title went to Lakeside Poll Dorset stud, owned by Wally Mills, of East Brookton.

“I have never won such a prize,” he said.

Mr Mills’ first ever prized Poll Dorset ram was exhibited by Steve Eales, who runs the Lakeside stud at his Popanyinning property.

The Marwick family, of Codji Springs White Suffolk stud in Pumphreys Bridge, were awarded the interbreed ewe title.

Stud co-principal Ryan Marwick said it was Codji Springs first interbreed title after the stud was established in 2018.

Also taking a major first win at the Expo, the Shepherd family, of Leween Poll Dorset stud, in Narrogin, won the British and Australasian interbreed group title with their two rams and two ewes.

Stud co-principal Tim Shepherd said one of the ewes in the group was the judged interbreed supreme champion at Wagin Woolorama.

British and Australasian sheep breeds steward Grant Bingham said the packed shed of meat sheep was the result of the Expo being only a one day show with its friendly atmosphere of support.

The Expo’s shearing competition brought 17 competitors to the second event of the season.

With most of the competitions cancelled last year, because of COVID-19, many shearers made their first return to competition.

Broomehill shearer Damien Boyle took out the open title, repeating his victory from 2019 at Williams.

Also on parade at the Expo was woollen fashion designs supplied by the Williams Wool Shed.