MLMC students shone brightly at last weekend’s Lilydale Show (16-17 November) where our sheep won Champion Lamb and Reserve Champion All Breeds ribbons. More important than the win, is the fact that these sheep supported the education of our students and gave them the experience of taking part in an agricultural show. Across the weekend over 20 MLMC students (past and present) were involved, which included staying back both nights to clean and pack up the pavilion — no mean feat after a full day of showing and caring for animals.
Other highlights included:
- Perry Leane (Year 9 Gold) was appointed Biosecurity Officer at the showgrounds and elected to the show committee in recognition of his work ensuring that computer systems and stock control was updated to meet regulations
- Rosalie DeFrancesco (Year 12 Purple) won her classes in art and floral arrangements. After her success at least year’s show, Rosalie was inspired to start her own business and this month for the first time she did all the floral arrangements for a wedding. Her career is up and running
- Abbey Wheeler (Year 10 Jade) and Emily Corbett (Class of 2017) were both nominated as Young Rural Ambassadors for the Yarra Valley and will now go on to undertake leadership roles in rural issues at state level.
The experiences we provide our students outside of the classroom and in electives are critical to their engagement in the community and school in general. If you have ever wondered why we have sheep, goats, plants, chooks and wine at the school, we do it for the same reason we plan a good lesson. It makes a huge difference to the lives of our young people. It also binds our students to the place they live and binds us to the community and industries so prevalent in our region.
There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes both before and during the show. In particular, I would like to thank teachers Mrs Sally Wingett and Mrs Urszula Faulkner and maintenance staff Mr Mick Hill and Mr Andy Commerford for their wonderful support of the program throughout the year.
