Local poultry breeders Ted Vaughan and his nephew Michael Sharkey recently attended the Sydney Royal Easter show to compete in the poultry competition.
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Up against thousands of other birds and their owners, the local pair returned home with more than a few champion chooks.
"I've been showing for the last 46 years, but the last 10-15 I've started to be very successful," Ted Vaughan said.
"Michael is starting to get really good as well; he's only a young fella at 40, so he's still got years ahead of him to keep getting better.
"At this show, we competed against people from all over, NSW, Queensland and other places; there would have to have been two to three thousand birds on display."
What started as a childhood fascination for Ted Vaughn has now become a lifelong hobby for the retired farmer, one he hopes to inspire the younger generation to take up.
"I've always been interested in chooks, ever since I was young, I only really show one or two breeds though, its provided me with years of enjoyment," he said.
"It's a great hobby, especially for kids, and if they are not overly interested in sport, this gives them a fun hobby to occupy their time.
"We try to mentor kids, take them under our wing, I'm getting a bit long in the tooth, so we need that next generation to step up.
"There are poultry clubs in virtually every town up and down the whole Mid North Coast, Macksville, Kempsey, they are everywhere."
Sydney Royal Easter Show full results:
Ted Vaughan: Champion large hen feather pit game, champion plain face pit bantam, champion pit bantam, champion hard feather bantam of show.
Michael Sharkey: Champion hen feather pit bantam, champion Australian game black red, champion Australian game of any other colour.
