Ongaonga pupils test farming prowess at AgriKidsNZ

The "Ongaonga Milkyways" team, Sophie Beamish (left), teacher Amy McIlroy, Leah Bibby and Hamish Dunderdale, are in Invercargill for the national AgriKidsNZ Grand Final. Photo / Paul Taylor

Three potential future stars of the agricultural industry have left Ongaonga in Central Hawke's Bay bound to attend the AgriKidsNZ Grand Final in Invercargill.

Year 8 Ongaonga School pupils Leah Bibby, Sophie Beamish and Hamish Dunderdale - known as the Ongaonga Milkyways - qualified for the grand final by beating 42 other teams in a fiercely contested East Coast final in February.

But they needed help to get to the national final, which will run alongside the prestigious FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final from today to Saturday. Takapau's Patrick Crawshaw is in the young farmer competition.

The trio had to raise more than $1000 each for the trip. So in between hours spent studying modules on beef and sheep breeds, soil types, key features of tractors and agricultural machinery, and even how to change a tyre on a quad bike - topics they can expect to be tested on at Invercargill - they have also been busy fundraising.

For their main fundraiser, a quiz night and charity auction on April 27 hosted by Crawshaw, the pupils personally approached CHB businesses seeking items for auction.

Their AgriKids teacher, Amy McIlory, said the quiz night was "fantastic" and alone raised $3000 - enough to fund their trip, as well as contribute to the costs of future teams from Ongaonga School to take part in the national competition, which aims to get youngsters interested in a career in the primary industries.

"Since the quiz night we have had people randomly come to school donate money - it's been totally unexpected [and] fantastic. A huge thank you to all those who have helped us get to where we are, from local business, the community and Ashley Clinton/Norsewood Young Farmers," said McIlroy.

The trio were all looking forward to flying to Invercargill yesterday, accompanied by numerous family members.

"Everybody's entire families are going - the plane is going to be hyper!"

To prepare for the grand final, McIlroy said her pupils had been meeting at lunchtimes and after school to pore over the modules.

"And, independently, they have been working really hard," said McIlroy, who has now led two teams from the school to the national grand final.

In Invercargill, the students will take part in an opening parade today, before the practical testing on and the awards ceremony tomorrow, followed by a fun "activity day" on Saturday.

Along with the advantage of all coming from farming families, Hamish said his strength was in the hands-on modules such as tractors and quad bikes, Sophie was confident about sheep and beef breeds, while Leah's strength was in animal and disease identification.

Sophie and Leah also have the experience of going to last year's grand final in Feilding, after Ongaonga School finished second at the regionals. Leah had to pull out because of a hip operation and was replaced by Sophie, but still travelled to the grand final with the team, which finished 19th out of 25 teams.

With all three pupils in the final year of primary school together and not eligible for AgriKids next year, Leah said she had high hopes for the team, while Sophie reckoned a top 10 finish would be a good result.

"But we just want to do Ongaonga proud," said Hamish, adding the team would also be barracking for Crawshaw in his grand final.