Young Judges & Paraders
Young Judges competitions give young people the chance to build confidence, public speaking and lifelong skills by assessing and comparing exhibits against industry standards. This page covers the Grain and Fruit & Vegetable competitions, based on the AgShows NSW operational guidelines.
Competition guide
Tap a question to open it. Based on the AgShows NSW operational guidelines for Grain and Fruit & Vegetable Young Judges.
Standard competition entry conditions set out in the AgShows NSW operational guidelines for both Grain and Fruit & Vegetable Young Judges.
Age eligibility
Aged 15 and under 25 on 1 May in the year of the State Final at the Royal Easter Show.
Residency & education requirement
At the time you first compete in a competition year, you must live in NSW or the ACT, work in paid employment there, or be in full-time education there.
No prior qualification for Group Finals
No local agricultural show qualification is needed to enter a Group Final. You may enter any Group Final in NSW or the ACT, wherever you live, and compete at several until you qualify for the State Final.
Practice after qualifying
Once qualified for the State Final in a competition, you can't enter another Group Final as a potential qualifier in that competition in the same year. You may enter for practice and scoring if you tell the organisers when entering and accept you are ineligible for a placing.
Judging conflict of interest
A competitor who has qualified, or intends to qualify, may be disqualified if they act as a Judge or Associate Judge at a Group Final in the same competition that year.
Representation limits
Represent only one Show Society at a Group Final and only one group at a State Final. Groups may send two competitors to the State level unless otherwise stated.
State & National title limits
Winning two NSW State Finals in the same competition makes you ineligible for future NSW State finals in that competition (applies to both Grain and Fruit & Veg). National Final winners may not compete again in the competition they won.
Scores & outside assistance
You may ask the stewards for your own score for five minutes after the presentation ends (you can only see your own). Receiving outside assistance can lead to elimination/disqualification.
Qualifying placings for State Finals
Royal Easter Show advancementOnly 1st place qualifies for the State Final at the Royal Easter Show.
1st, 2nd and 3rd place qualify for the State Final at the Royal Easter Show.
Download the guidelines
Access the complete AgShows NSW operational guidelines and score sheets for study and competition preparation.
Grain Young Judges Operational Guidelines
AgShows NSW 2026 Operational Guidelines & Judging Sheets
Includes competition rules, grain class descriptions, suggested timetables, score sheets, reason cards, and handling criteria.
Fruit & Veg Young Judges Operational Guidelines
AgShows NSW 2026 Operational Guidelines • 21 pages
Complete 21-page operational guide detailing horticultural standards, dress code, oral presentation scoring, and judging sheets.
Questions about Young Judges & Paraders at the Goulburn Show?
Contact the Goulburn Show Society for local competition dates, schedules, entry fees or steward enquiries.