Community & Business
11 June, 2026
PLC Armidale Livestock Team Celebrates Success, Service, and the Future of Agriculture
Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) Armidale's Livestock Team has celebrated another outstanding year of achievement, recognising the young women who continue to make their mark in the agricultural industry while contributing to causes far beyond the show ring.
Contributed
More than 80 students, families, staff and industry supporters gathered at the college's annual Livestock Team Celebration Dinner, where young gun stock and station agent Maddie Davidson encouraged students to back themselves and embrace opportunities, even when they feel unprepared.
Ms Davidson, who is nearing completion of her stock and station agent qualifications with Nutrien Boulton’s in Walcha, shared her journey from a young girl determined to work with cattle to becoming a respected livestock auctioneer in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
"If there's anything I'd like you to take away tonight, it's this: back yourself early," she told students.
"Apply for the job, take the opportunity, speak up, have the conversation and put yourself in the room, because the people doing amazing things are rarely the people who felt 100 per cent ready."
Ms Davidson said one of the greatest lessons she had learned was that success often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
"Confidence doesn't magically appear overnight. Confidence is built by doing things before you feel ready," she said.
PLC Armidale College principal, Mrs Nicola Taylor, said Ms Davidson's message strongly aligned with the College's commitment to equipping young women of character to lead lives of significance.
"Maddie's story demonstrated the courage, resilience and determination required to pursue a passion and create opportunities," Mrs Taylor said. "These are qualities we actively foster through our livestock program and broader co-curricular experiences."
The evening also highlighted the extraordinary impact of the PLC Armidale Livestock Team's long-standing partnership with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
Through the annual preparing, showing and auctioning of a charity steer at the Sydney Royal Easter Show (this year’s steer ‘Supple Basil’ being generously donated by the Rumbel family from Guyra), the team has raised more than $110,000 for life-saving heart disease research.
Representing the foundation, Caitlin Mackie addressed guests and shared updates on the groundbreaking research being supported through the students' fundraising efforts.
Mrs Taylor said the partnership demonstrated the power of service learning and the difference young people could make in the wider community. "Our students understand that agriculture is about more than production and competition. It is also about contributing to something bigger than themselves and using their skills and opportunities to create positive change," she said.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural All-Round Stockwoman Award, a peer-nominated honour recognising leadership, sportsmanship, work ethic and contribution to the team. The award was presented to Annie Wake of Glen Innes, who received a bespoke Kidman Hat generously donated by Australian businesswoman and agricultural leader Gina Rinehart.
Co-Livestock team manager Briony Looker said the peer-nominated award reflected the values that underpin the Livestock Team. "Technical skill is important, but so too are character, teamwork and the willingness to support others, Ms Looker said. “Annie embodies these qualities and is a worthy inaugural recipient."
The PLC Armidale Livestock Team continues to be one of the college's flagship programs, providing students with hands-on agricultural experience, leadership opportunities and strong connections with industry.
As the evening concluded, students were reminded of Ms Davidson's final message: "Agriculture needs passionate, capable people, and there has never been a better time for young women to step forward and make their mark."
For PLC Armidale's young women, that mark is already being made—in the show ring, in the community and in the future of Australian agriculture.
