A perfect 21st
L- R: Kylie Squiers, Mrs Michael, Adrian Squires, Dr Ken Michael, Tony Devitt, Chris Squiers, Sascha Squiers, Fay Panizza and Kelsie Squiers.
For Chris Squiers, winning this year’s Governor’s Cup is the perfect 21st present.
This year marks 21 years of Squiers & Sons showing sheep at the Perth Royal Show. The family-run farm in Quairading earned the most points this year across the sheep, cattle, horses, goats and alpaca competitions to snag the prestigious Governor’s Cup.
It’s a first time cup win for the family who brought 39 sheep to the Show – 21 Poll Dorset and 18 SAMM.
“It’s unbelievable and I am quite overwhelmed,” says Chris Squiers, a sheep judge who is also president of the Prime SAMM committee – WA Branch. “You just try and do the best you can and hope the judges like what you are offering.”
Chris was given his first ewes at the age of 13 in 1962 and then began to dream of taking a champion to the Show.
The Squiers family exhibited at the Show briefly in the early 1970s but have returned every year since 1988. Also involved in the farm and bringing sheep to the Show are Chris’ wife, Fay Panizza, their sons Sascha and Adrian and daughters-in-law Kylie and Kelsie.
President of The Royal Agricultural Society of WA, Tony Devitt, says the Governor’s Cup is another example of the high standard of exhibits at the Smoke Free Perth Royal Show.
“The Royal Show has always been known for showing the best the State has to offer. I fervently believe the Governor’s Cup is an indicator of the strong performance of our agricultural sector.”
The winners were presented with the trophy today during a ceremony on the Showground’s Peters Drumstick Main Arena on the closing day of the Smoke Free Perth Royal Show.