Windy Ways Galaxies Dawn 7 went back-to-back Grand Champion Cow at International Dairy Week in January, was classified EX95 in February, and turned heads at the Central Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club’s 60th Jersey Fair in April.
Co-owners Frank Walsh, of Cobden, and Brad and Jess Gavenlock, of Cherrylock Cattle Co in Tallygaroopna, brought Dawn, one of her calves and a team of heifers and cows to show at the Warragul event.
In 2021, Dawn was awarded the Russ Carroll Memorial Supreme Champion, Rabobank Senior Champion Cow and Vic Wallace Memorial Best Udder at the Central Gippsland Jersey Breeders Club’s Jersey Fair.
This year she added to that list, being awarded back-to-back the Vic Wallace Memorial Award for Best Udder, Rabobank Senior Champion Cow and the Russ Carroll Memorial Supreme Champion. Dawn was also awarded the R. Battley Memorial Champion Type and Production Cow.
Dawn is well known in Jersey circles and was bred by Frank Walsh. Frank, recently retired from the farm, still retains a co-ownership in Dawn, alongside Brad and Jess Gavenlock.
“We started showing Dawn in 2018. She’s easy to show, but with all the preparation luck still goes with you on show day,” Frank said.
The judge was John Gardiner, of Avonlea Holsteins at Cardinia, and he described Dawn as structurally correct, with a wonderful udder, teat placement and with volume of milk.
Alongside her calf, Windy Ways CCC Bontino Dawn, Dawn 7 was awarded Dam and Daughter, led by Brad Gavenlock and daughter Penny.
Most Successful Exhibitor was awarded to Mark and Philippa Flemming, of Philmar Dairy Company from Cobrico, and home of Miami Jerseys.
Philmar was represented at the Jersey Fair by Philippa and Brenton Flemming, with four cows and three heifers.
The team received Reserve Junior Champion Heifer for Miami Master Gladys 7265-P and Honourable Mention Junior Champion Heifer with Miami Master Glory 7258.
The Reserve Intermediate Champion was awarded to Miami Publican Gladys 5943 and an Honourable Mention Intermediate Champion to Miami Tahbilk Jewel 5645.
Philmar was also awarded the L. Jakobi Memorial Group of Three Females bred by the exhibitor.
Philmar Dairy Company won and was runner-up in the Heifer Dry Born 01/07/2020-31/12/2020, won the Pair of Females by the same sire, dry and born 01/01/2020 or after, and won the Heifer in Milk Born 01/07/20219-31/12/2019 and Cow in Milk born 01/01/2018-30/6/2018.
The 60th Jersey Fair in Gippsland demonstrates a long commitment to promoting the breed and providing an opportunity for young people to be showcased, with a judging competition for anyone under 25 years old from the first fair in 1961.
Initially the fair ran alongside an annual sale, but the sale was separated to another day some years ago.
By 1983, the fair had become a multi-breed show. The Holstein breeds last showed in 1991, and the Ayrshires in 1993. In 2012, the fair was moved from spring to autumn.
Jersey breeders have traditionally travelled from across Victoria and southern NSW to show their cattle at the Jersey Fair. The organisers consider this Jersey Fair to be second only to International Dairy Week for showing numbers of Jersey cattle.
This year’s judge, John Gardiner, commended the organisers for the quality of cattle on show, the state of the decorated show ring and how well the fair was managed.
“You are to be commended for the large crowd that attends this show,” John said.
“A lot of heart and soul has gone into preparing these cows. It shows in the difficulty I have had in selecting fine differences in the breeding in the cows on display here today.”