Quiet achiever from WA recognised with junior handler award at her first NSW show

A 19-year-old who moved across the country to work at a renowned Merino stud impressed all the organisers at this year's Great Southern Supreme Merino at Bathurst, winning the junior handler award despite it being her first show.

Sarah Kett, originally from Pinjarra in WA, has spent the past eight months working for Merryville stud, Boorowa.

Her work involves all aspects of sheep handling, including yardwork, and she said it was a great team who were really supportive.

"I love my job," she said.

"I get out of bed and everyday I'm actually excited to go to work."

Ms Kett barely stopped across the three-day show as Merryville exhibited a large team. She said her first show experience was full-on but exciting.

She plans to continue working in the industry and is studying ag business with the aim of becoming a farm manager down the line.

Her parent's farm in WA runs cattle, sheep and racehorses, but it was the dual purpose aspect of Merinos and the export opportunities for both wool and meat that attracted her to the sheep industry in particular.

Steward Greg Boutcher, Yass, said Ms Kett had some challenging sheep but managed them with professionalism.

"The amount of work she put in over the last couple of days - she's had some very, very stroppy animals and she's handled it really well," he said.