The black sheep is usually used to describe something negative. However, for one Yass Valley farmer, it has landed her a prestigious agricultural award at the Royal Easter Show.
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High on a hill outside Yass is the biggest coloured wool stud in the country and it is owned by Broni Jekyll and partner Mac MacDonald. They run as many as 600 superfine merinos in varying shades of brown, black and grey.
The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) is set to honour Broni Jekyll with a prestigious Champions of the RAS Award, a new initiative for individuals who promote Australia’s sustainable development of agriculture, at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Each year the RAS looks to recognise individuals for the effort that is put into the Sydney Royal Competitions and the industries they serve, showcasing the skill, energy and passion of so many participants.
“I’m totally blown away” she told the Tribune after hearing the news.
“I’m very embarrassed to have been put forward, but I’m incredibly grateful and humbled.”
Although Broni says she doesn’t believe she is in the same calibre, President of the RAS, Robert Ryan says Ms Jekyll is a stand out example of everything the Show is about: Australia’s biggest celebration of our country’s people, practices and produce.
“Champions of the RAS looks to honour people who contribute to the RAS both within and outside the Show,” Mr Ryan said.
“The award helps us put a face to the name behind the competing animal, wine, flower, or painting. It also allows us to better recognise some of our dedicated Stewards, Judges and supporters without whom we would have no competitions.”
Broni is from a wool-producing family. When she was growing up, the "genetic embarrassments" she calls her livestock have taken a while for her, and other niche farmers like her, to assimilate into the industry.
“It was something very difficult for the white merino company to accept [coloured sheep]. They know us now, and respect that we have the same passion and drive, they know that what we do is on a par with what they are doing,” Broni explained.
“It's that final big family hug, in the industry.”
The parade allows the RAS to acknowledge the hard work and many years of service that recipients have been investing in the Show.
Having grown up on a sheep and wheat property on the Darling Downs in Queensland, Broni Jekyll was never going to stray too far from her passion for sheep.
After 20 years exhibiting sheep, Broni is now a volunteer ring steward in the merino sheep section at the Show. She loves explaining to showgoers what’s happening in the ring and educating the broader public on Australia’s sheep and wool industry.
The Show is a special time of year for Broni, who finds it fun and informative and looks forward to catching up with exhibitors, judges and stewards each year.
“Recently, my sister found an article in a European newspaper about our great great grandfather who used to judge horse and shows in Australia and London,” she continued.
“I think it’s always been in our blood.”
Now in her sixties, Broni has been to many shows over her time however the Royal Easter Show is one of her favourites.
“I like the way they encourage agriculture through to small towns like Yass,” she said.
“I grew up in Queensland and my dad used to run sheep, we went to the Show each year. My dad, I think, would be tickled pink.”
Recipients will be celebrated at 12pm on Tuesday March 22 through their participation in a parade through the main arena.
At the Show, 32,000 entrants will compete across 42 competitions and over 5,500 competition classes from livestock, domestic animals, arts and woodchopping.
“These Champions have worked tirelessly, many for a majority of their lives, to make the Sydney Royal Competitions the best of their kind in Australia,” Mr Ryan said.
