On Thursday, 9th July, 2026, Jordan Norman, the SA Ag Institute Intern for Student Compendium’24, PIEFA’25 and Project Officer’26 was awarded the LambEx’26 Coles Junior Trailblazer Award in front of 1500 attendees at the Elders Gala Dinner in the Adelaide Convention Centre.
LambEx is Australia’s sheep and wool industry flagship conference, gathering all sectors of the lamb supply chain from students, producers, research, development and adoption service providers, agri-business, processors, and exporters from both food and fibre sectors. It provides a supersized program, extensive opportunity to network and build knowledge, enormous trade exhibition, tech displays and signature social functions. The high calibre of speakers, panels and seminars aimed to inspire, advocate and innovate as they brought an epic three days of content.
The LambEx Coles Trailblazers Competition recognises and encourages young, 18 to 35yo’s and upcoming industry professionals, producers, scientists & students to consider a future or ongoing career in the Australian sheep industry. They had to pitch a new idea, technology, opportunity or innovation that will make a difference and improve the sustainability of the sheep, lamb and wool industry. Ideas could cover any aspect, big or small of the sheep supply chain, including on-farm, off-farm (transport, processing, retail, export, etc.), or the social and cultural perceptions of the sheep industry.
The competition provided an opportunity for these ‘Trailblazers’ to showcase how their ideas, skills and innovation can make a meaningful difference across the sheep Industry. The 7 successful semi- finalists received complementary tickets and travel bursaries and gained exposure at LambEx26, while developing their capabilities through professional development zoom and face to face training in professional speaking and presentation by Nathan Scott, talking with media and networking with industry leaders throughout the conference and gala dinner.
The AIA SA Division is very proud of having 2 semi-finalists, Jordan and Emily Steer, both Student Compendium Interns.
Emily pitched “Paddock to Practice”, a national digital platform that delivers clear, region‑specific research insights directly to producers. By combining practical tools with trained research translators and regional on‑farm hubs, the model accelerates adoption while creating a two‑way link between farmers and researchers.
Emily is a third-year Animal Science student at the Adelaide University and grew up in Lameroo in the Murray Mallee region, where her family previously ran a small commercial Angus cattle herd. Spending time on the farm sparked her interest in livestock and shaped her decision to pursue a career in agriculture. Alongside her studies, she is undertaking the 2026 PIEFA–AIA Student Compendium Internship, where she is involved in initiatives that promote food and fibre education across South Australia. Emily is particularly interested in strengthening connections between industry and education to support future generations in agriculture. In 2026, Emily was awarded an Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET) Small Initiatives Grant, providing opportunities to further engage with sheep and wool industry, education and research. My connection to the sheep industry is developing through AWET-supported experiences and my strong interest in livestock production systems.
Jordan’s winning pitch was for the “Sheep Industry Education Hub”, focusing on changing how the sheep industry is understood by students beyond the farm gate. He proposed the Hub that connects students from non agricultural schools with real industry people and experiences through farm visits, school programs, and ongoing mentoring. By providing hands on exposure to modern sheep production and career pathways, the initiative aims to reshape perceptions, build trust, and strengthen the future workforce.
Jordan Norman is a passionate emerging leader in agricultural education and extension, having completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science at the Adelaide University and now undertaking a Master of Teaching (Secondary), specialising in Agriculture. As the 2025 PIEFA Compendium Intern and 2026 Student Compendium Project Officer with the Ag Institute Australia (SA Division), Jordan has contributed to the national expansion of the Student Compendium e-portal, connecting students with career pathways in agriculture. His work was recognised at the 2025 Rural Media and Communicators (SA/NT) Awards, where he was a finalist and received a High Commendation for the Best Rural Communicator Award. He also works at Urrbrae Agricultural High School as a Student Support Officer, supporting agricultural education. Jordan is passionate about connecting students with the sheep industry and building a skilled, informed and future-ready workforce.
Jordan said that “It was an incredible feeling to win and, to be honest, I really wasn’t expecting it. I was genuinely honoured to receive the Coles Junior Trailblazer Award, especially considering the calibre of the other Trailblazers. Attending LambEx has been an incredible opportunity that I will always be grateful for. Throughout the conference I connected with producers, researchers, educators and other young people from across Australia, while developing my communication, leadership and presentation skills. I also had the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, build new industry relationships and learn from some outstanding mentors, particularly Nathan Scott, whose presentation coaching gave me skills that will stay with me throughout my teaching career. My pitch focused on creating a Sheep Industry Education Hub, with the guiding message that ‘Changing perceptions begins beyond the farm gate.’ Receiving this award has given me even greater motivation to strengthen connections between students and the sheep industry through agricultural education. I would like to sincerely thank Coles, LambEx and everyone who has supported and encouraged me through the many opportunities I’ve been fortunate to be involved in over the past two years. Their support has played a significant role in my development, and I look forward to continuing to give back to the industry in the years ahead.”
LambEx’26 Coles Trailblazer winners were;
Winner: ($3,000): Rebecca Farnell, Federation University, “a FAIR sheep worm surveillance database”
Junior Achiever Award [<24 yo]: ($1,000): Jordan Norman, “Sheep Industry Education Hub”
Concept Award [$500]: Tara Farms, “Farmer‑led digital content – tell their own story”
Find out more about the award and winners here.
