Maggie Ebdon ready for the Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo

Maggie Ebdon is taking part again in the competition she dominated last year.

The 17-year-old got the heardperson award at the 2025 Tasmania Junior Beef Expo.

This was despite it only being her first year taking part in the event.

“I did not expect it at all,” Ms Ebdon said.

“I was actually packing up and ready to leave, and heard by name.”

Ms Ebdon grew up in a family that showed cattle, and did so when she was a young child.

But she stopped doing it for more than a decade and only got back into it last year.

For this year’s expo, she will be showing cattle from Cloverside Murray Greys.

Ms Ebdon aims to become an agricultural vet nurse.

“I want to be an ag vet eventually,” she said.

“I just prefer the bigger animals, so I’m trying to get a traineeship at the moment, but I’m doing my Certificate Three in Agriculture as well.”

Ms Ebdon said that her success at the Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo last year was an example of getting in and having a go.

“Even if it’s not something they’re used to – get in and have a go.

“Two years ago, I would not have thought I‘d be doing what I’m doing now.

“It’s good to take risks, even if it doesn’t feel normal.”

The Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo will mark its 10th anniversary from February 27 to March 1 at the Deloraine Showgrounds.

Mr Dobson said the event had progressed greatly from its first edition a decade ago.

“When we first started, we didn’t expect to make it to the 10-year mark,” he said.

“We wanted to provide an event that wasn’t available to the youth in Tasmania.

“It’s grown to the point where we have mainland competitors come over, and we have good exchanges with other youth events.”

The premier event in Tasmania for young handlers, Mr Dobson said the expo was important for the state’s agricultural community.

“It’s to get youth involved in the beef industry in both the stud game and the commercial side of things.

“We’re also trying to progress some of those older and more advanced competitors and show them pathways within the beef industry and agriculture as a whole.”

Those taking part in the Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo will also have the opportunity to tour John Kelly’s farm out at Sheffield.

Mr Dobson said Mr Kelly started as a beef producer who transitioned into dairy and organics.

“We’ve tried to organise quite a different array of speakers and industry professionals who have taken different career pathways to get where they are.

“You’re not pigeonholed, and you can do whatever you want.”