Heifer Expo entrant Rori Skinner, Woogenellup, WA, has never even been to Qld before but next year she will be in one of the most remote parts of the state working big mobs of Wagyu cross cattle.
The 18-year-old was the inaugural winner of the Stanbroke Award which provides an opportunity for the recipient to be employed for a mustering season, from March to September weather dependent, on one of the company's six stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Stanbroke, one of Australia's largest family owned cattle companies, owns about 1.2 million hectares.
"I have always wanted to go and work on a station and experience that life that when the opportunity to apply came up I thought I might as well give it a go," Ms Skinner said.
"It is a bit daunting travelling to the other side of the country, but I am very grateful to win the award, it will open so many doors."
Stanbroke HR manager primary production Jane Lott said they had been keen to get an annual work experience award in place after several of Stanbroke's employees spoke very highly of their experiences at the Expo.
"The winner will work towards a Certificate III in agriculture as well as our internal training with the plan to keep them in agriculture, whether that is with us or the wider industry," she said.
Rori and her two younger sisters Bree and Zoe made the trip across to the SA Expo for the second year in a row.
They have attended the WA Youth Cattle Handlers Camp at Brunswick for many years but have equally enjoyed the SA Expos. They have borrowed animals from Knockando Beef Cattle, Cowirra.
Rori, who finished Year 12 last year at the WA College of Agriculture at Denmark, is having a gap year working on the family's commercial Angus and cropping property.
She is also working for an Angus stud at Albany about an hour away.
Rori was thrilled to place second in her handlers class and ninth in her first time competing in the senior herdsperson section.
"One of the things I am keen to talk to them about is if I can come back and compete at the Expo next year, I have really enjoyed competing in the herdsperson section," she said.
