Helix Red Polls
Melissa Neal
P O Box 768
Lilydale VIC 3140
Email:
gneal@melbpc.org.au
Background
Melissa first became interested in cattle in 1998 at the age of thirteen where the school she attended has a teaching farm of 22 acres, where they run a small Murray Grey Stud and Romney Sheep Stud. All through her secondary schooling Melissa was a keen member of the school's Young Farmers club.
Her association with Red Polls began at Berwick Show in 1998 where Red Polls were the feature breed. Melissa assisted Annette and Noel of Raedean Red Poll Stud with animal preparation in return for the loan of a heifer for the junior handlers competition. This started a continuing journey of attending local country shows to gain more knowledge and skills with cattle.
Melissa attended the 1998 Rural Insurance Heifer Show and Handlers Camp and has participated many times since, learning valuable information about caring for cattle and preparing animals for showing.
In 1998 Red Polls were the feature breed at the Royal Melbourne Show and Melissa was asked to help, she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and she has helped every year since.
Melissa continues to participate in Handlers Competitions and Judging Competitions to improve her knowledge. Gaining strength in different area of assessment eg: animal structure taught at Handlers Camp 1999. Melissa's efforts have paid off as she has received a blue ribbon for Junior Handlers under 18 years of age, at the Royal Melbourne Show 2000.
Also in 2000 she was
successful with Junior Judging at a few local shows and this enabled her to
compete in the Port Phillip Region group final where she was placed second,
which meant she could compete at the State Final at the Royal Melbourne Show. Having
been announced the State winner Melissa represented
While still studying at secondary school, Melissa completed the Storelink course through the Red Poll Beef Marketing Alliance at Northern Met TAFE, where she has also studied pasture production and wool classing.
Melissa has recently
completed her third year at
Melissa is very grateful for all the support and encouragement that Red Poll breeders have given her.
Not having her own property, Melissa's cattle are on agistment with Noel and Annette at Raedean.
Semex/Phoenix Genetics Michigan State University Scholarship 2006
Australian Red Poll Cattle Breeders Inc.
Last updated: January 24th, 2006