Poultry judge honoured by Ekka community
EKKA’S poultry fancying community is a tight-knit one, so when it lost a dear member to depression there was no question they had to find a way to honour his memory.
Last year, Richard Porter, a longstanding exhibitor and steward, judged the Mediterranean poultry breeds at the Royal Queensland Show.
He was so thrilled he told colleagues it was the highlight of his life in poultry.
Mr Porter worked on the committee and was a passionate breeder of Minorcas – a Mediterranean light softfeather breed known for their white eggs.
Sadly, only months later, Mr Porter, a well-known friendly face at the poultry competition, died by suicide.
His death devastated the Ekka poultry community and a program was initiated as a memorial to Mr Porter and his passion for breeding and showing fowls.
Mr Porter was dedicated to bringing new breeders and young people into the fold and helping them, so fundraising began to bring a number of young, deserving teenagers from regional centres to the Ekka to experience the poultry competition from the inside.
Three outstanding applicants were selected, Michael English, 13, from Nanango, Queensland, Braydon Leeson, 15, from Mungindi, Queensland, and Jacob Canning, 13, from Mortlake in Victoria.
This week, the three young poultry fanciers, selected from a nationwide pool, arrived in Brisbane to enjoy a poultry fancier’s experience of a lifetime.
The winners have this week experienced the poultry competition, including penning in processes, judging
observation, stewarding and seeing how the whole system works to promote poultry and the community that loves it.
The trio competed in the Novice Judges Competition under Gary Phillips, a specialist judge from New South Wales.
This meant judging four classes of birds along with other competitors and being scored on their decisions.
They also had the opportunity to talk to
specialist breeders and exhibitors of a variety of breeds, such as game birds, heavy softfeather breeds, light softfeather breeds and other categories at the show.
They pitched in to help with pencilling, message taking, cleaning and speaking with visitors while at the pavilion.
They will attend social events for judges and stewards and be warmly welcomed by RNA staff and Poultry Committee members
who are delighted to have them attending.
The connections and friendships they make during this show will stay with them for a lifetime.
Poultry exhibition is very much about community and they received a warm welcome from the Ekka poultry community.
The boys will receive a new program dust jacket and a copy of the Australian Poultry Standards to keep as souvenirs of their experience and to help them in the future.
While at the Ekka, they will also receive a guided tour of other agricultural sections.
Of course, they also squeezed in some of Ekka’s famous strawberries and ice cream to celebrate.
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