When Royal Adelaide Show season rolls around, excitement starts building at Urrbrae Agricultural High School long before the gates open.
While many exhibitors spend weeks preparing for the event, Urrbrae students and staff spend months – and in some cases years – getting ready. From breeding livestock and growing produce to perfecting baked goods and preparing displays, the school's involvement touches almost every corner of the Show.
With around 800 students taking part each year, Urrbrae has become one of the Show's biggest contributors, helping showcase the next generation of South Australia's agricultural industry.
“We actually start planning for the next Show well before the current one is over,” says Assistant Principal Vince Fleming.
“When it comes to livestock breeding programs, we're thinking well ahead.”
Livestock remains one of Urrbrae's biggest areas of involvement. The school operates both cattle and sheep studs, established in 1970, and competes against commercial breeders and stud producers rather than other schools.
“That's what makes us a bit different,” Vince explains.
Students are involved in every stage of the process, from breeding and animal management to preparing livestock for judging.
The school enters cattle, sheep, dairy heifers, alpacas, goats, pigs and poultry, while students also assist with wool stewarding in the lead-up to the Show.
But animals are only part of the story.
Across the campus, student clubs spend months preparing entries for horticulture competitions, producing everything from vegetables and fruit to orchids, bonsai and floral displays. Other students showcase their skills in cookery, honey production, olive products and even technology categories, with the school expanding into fabrication and engineering exhibits.
“It's a logistical nightmare at times,” Vince laughs. “But it's also incredibly rewarding.”
Beyond the competition, the Show gives students the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and support fellow exhibitors.
Each year, Urrbrae students volunteer countless hours helping breeders and exhibitors care for animals, prepare displays and manage the many demands of Show week.
“We get so much positive feedback,” Vince says. “Our students just pitch in and help wherever they can. They come away from the event with a wealth of experience and excitement to be part of something that is so big on the calendar each year.”