Ongaonga AgriKids keen to get to nationals

The Ongaonga Milkyways, from left, Sophie Beamish, Leah Bibby and Hamish Dunderdale after winning the regional AgriKidsNZ final in February.

Three Ongaonga School pupils have launched a fundraising drive to earn $3000 to get to the AgriKidsNZ Grand Final in Invercargill.

Leah Bibby, Sophie Beamish and Hamish Dunderdale, known as the Ongaonga Milkyways, qualified for the event by beating 42 other teams to win the fiercely-contested East Coast AgriKidsNZ Regional Final in February.

None of the trio of Year 8 students have been to Invercargill before. To get there, they each have to raise about $1000.

"I'm excited, but also nervous about heading to grand final in July," said Leah.

"I'm proud to be representing our school and Central Hawke's Bay," said Hamish.

The trio is selling firewood, cooking barbecue lunches at school, launched a stock drive and will hold a quiz night on April 27.

Tickets for the event, which starts at 6.30pm at the Ongaonga Hall, cost $15 per person.
"I'd like as many people as possible to come to the quiz night because it's going to be exciting and helps us raise money," said Sophie.

East Coast FMG Young Farmer of the Year Patrick Crawshaw will be a special guest.
"Getting from the East Coast all the way down to Invercargill is no easy feat for the AgriKidsNZ or TeenAg competitors," said Patrick.

"I hope lots of people get along to the quiz night to support them."

The aim of the AgriKidsNZ competition is to get kids excited about a career in the primary industries.

Pupils tackle a series of fun challenges and modules which test their practical and theoretical skills.

"Leah and I have competed in the grand final before," said Sophie. "This time I hope we get a placing, but to get in the top 10 would be good."

The students will also take part in a workshop as part of their training.

"Parents bring in weeds for them to identify and NZ Young Farmers members provide shearing hand pieces to assemble," said teacher Amy McIlroy.

"Our sponsors and other agricultural experts also run modules. It's worked really well in the past."

The AgriKidsNZ Grand Final has 21 teams competing, consisting of 63 students from across New Zealand.

The event will run alongside the prestigious FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final.

To register your team name and members for the quiz night email amcilroy@ongaonga.school.nz