The Archibull Prize is an innovative school-based program designed to give young people the skills to connect farmers and the community, helping build a bright future for Australian agriculture.

In 2017 the theme has been ‘feeding and clothing a hungry nation is a shared responsibility’.

Colourful cows, known affectionately as Archies, have emerged from 30 schools across NSW, QLD and the ACT as students researched specific agricultural industries, and interpreted their findings in artwork and in multi-media presentations.

They explored issues such as biodiversity, climate change, water use and renewable energy.

Irrawang High School has been supported by Hunter Local Land Services, to create their fibreglass cow depicting the Australian egg and poultry industry.

This is the second year Hunter Local Land Services has been involved with The Archibull Prize and Hunter Local Land Services School Engagement Officer Jane Lloyd-Jones is excited by the ongoing partnership. 

“Hunter Local Land Services is extremely proud to support the Archibull Prize,” Ms Lloyd-Jones said. 

“The outcomes and the creativity of the program tie in beautifully with Local Land Services, in terms of the agricultural and biosecurity learnings the students receive,” she said.

“These kids are the future of farming.”

The Irrawang students were supported on their Archibull Journey by Young Farming Champion Tim Eyes who runs a small-scale farm and agricultural contracting business on the NSW Central Coast. Mr Eyes’ experience producing chickens and eggs was invaluable to the school as they designed their Archie entry.

The Irrawang High School Archie will join other finalists in Sydney for the 2017 Archibull Prize Awards and Exhibition day to be held at The Stables at Sydney Showground on 21 November, coinciding with Australia’s inaugural AgDay.

Multiple cash prizes, up to $1,000, will be presented to the winners as well as the coveted title of Grand Champion Archibull. Irrawang High School