[PRESS RELEASE] Rising dairy stars: Meet Australia’s best young dairy paraders

The best young dairy cattle paraders in Australia have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete in the national finals next month.

The 2025 National Championships is being hosted by the SA Country Shows at the Royal Adelaide Show from 1-6 September 2025 and includes paraders of beef and dairy cattle, young judges (beef and dairy cattle, grain, Merino sheep and fleece, meat breeds sheep, and poultry), the Australian Young Farmers Challenge, and National Rural Ambassador Award. 

Young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state will gather to compete in the annual competition. Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions. 

Meet the six finalists in the Dairy Cattle Parading final.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA | Murray Findlay, 22, Albany

Murray Findlay grew up on and around farms and spent school holidays working on a local dairy farm where he met Russell Hall who introduced him to the world of cattle showing. After a gap year on the farm, Murray moved to Perth to study a Bachelor of Agribusiness, graduating in 2024.

"Since 2019, I have shown for multiple exhibitors at the Albany Show, Harvey Show/WA Autumn Fair and the Brunswick Show as well as showing beef cattle while I was at ag school. I have competed in a number of state finals and last year I competed in the National Dairy Paraders competition representing Western Australia in Melbourne. My show highlights are winning the Highest Dairy Achiever at Cattle Camp and my first handlers class at the Brunswick Show."

QUEENSLAND | Patrick English, 20, Malanda

Patrick has been hands-on with the preparation and presentation of his family's large show teams from a young age. He works full-time at the Mareeba Saleyards and part-time on the family's dairy farm. A standout moment in his show career was the Royal Queensland Show when his family claimed both Supreme Intermediate Female and Supreme Champion Cow in 2019.

"My family are multi-generational dairy farmers and have exhibited dairy cows at every Malanda Show since 1916. Our family has always been competitive - with six siblings there is always competition - and I have enjoyed parading animals since I could walk."

NEW SOUTH WALES | Lilly Eagles, 15, Forbes

Lilly was born into dairy life and now co-owns Savvy Ayrshires with her two sisters. She proudly parades her own Ayrshires - Savvy Deluxe Blossom and her dam Paschendaele Ash Blossom - and has been showing cattle since she was little. 

Currently in Year 9 at Forbes High School, Lilly is a regular on the show circuit, helping clip and prepare cattle for her school and family friends. Her favourite event is International Dairy Week in Victoria, where she and her sisters show their cattle and lend a hand to other exhibitors. She also enjoys getting involved with beef cattle at local shows like Trundle, Grenfell, and Eugowra.

"My two best moments at a show would have to be winning Junior Champion at the Forbes Show with my Ayrshire, Ash, when she was a heifer - and then taking her to  International Dairy Week where she won Reserve Junior Champion. The other was at the Sydney Royal Easter Show earlier this year - I won my paraders class with my heifer Deluxe, then went on to be named Reserve Champion Parader. Now, I get the amazing opportunity to represent New South Wales at the Adelaide Royal."

VICTORIA| Sienna Ross, 17, Katamatite

Sienna is a proud first-generation dairy farm kid growing up milking cows, rearing calves, and driving tractors. Now in Year 12 and School Captain at Sacred Heart College Yarrawonga, Sienna hopes to one day become a qualified embryo technician.

"My family definitely are the main reason I now have such a love for showing dairy. I have dad's love of cows, mum's support and her determination for me to succeed, my brother's skills building all my new gear, and my sister by my side at all the shows to learn new things."

SOUTH AUSTRALIA | William Phillpot, 19, Murray Bridge

Showing dairy cows has been a big part of William's life since age 12, when he attended the SA Dairy Youth Camp and met mentor Bridget Liebelt. Today, William regularly shows top-quality stock alongside Bridget at local and interstate events, and works at Daish Irrigation and Fodder in his hometown.

"I started competing with dairy cattle at a young age, with what first started as a small hobby, quickly grew into a lifelong passion and skill. My dedication and willingness to learn, helped me progress my talent and skills into the show ring. I have had so many amazing opportunities to compete in handlers classes, with much success along the way."

TASMANIA | William Dudfield, 22, Somerset

William Dudfield has been part of the show ring since he was three years old, and joined paraders competitions at just nine. Growing up on a dairy farm sparked his love for cattle, and even though he now works in civil construction, showing remains a big part of his life. He has been to several national championships and is a successful competitor at the highest levels. 

Jacqueline (Jac) Wilson-Smith, Chair of Agricultural Shows Australia - the peak body representing 572 agricultural shows that attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1 billion to the national economy - describes the competition as a celebration of emerging talent in livestock judging across the country.

"This is an incredibly prestigious event, and earning a spot in the nationals is highly sought after," Jac said.

"These young competitors represent the future of agricultural show competitions, which play a vital role in advancing Australia's food and fibre industries. The nationals offer an exciting chance for participants to grow both personally and professionally while testing their skills against the very best."

The winner will also receive a halter from sponsor, The Cattle Shop. Based in Goulburn, NSW the store supplies and stocks cattle grooming gear. Owner Daryl Holder has been involved in the cattle industry for more than 30 years.

"As a business who deals with these young people I want to give back in some way to them. All these young people give up so much to be part of an industry that Australia needs. It is only a small part but hopefully goes a long way," Daryl said.

The Dairy Cattle Parading final will be held at 12pm on Wednesday, September 3. More on the competition here.

For more information, please contact Katie Stanley, Executive Officer, Agricultural Shows Australia: execofficer@agshowsaustralia.org.au | 0402 127 001. 

Media are invited to attend the National Championships finals to capture the action and excitement.