The Archibull Prize is an innovative program that sees urban and rural schools research an agricultural industry and express their findings through artwork. ​

​The theme of this year’s prize is ‘Feeding and Powering a Hungry Nation is a Shared Responsibility’.

As a a small school, Jugiong was given an Archicalf to decorate and also created a blog featuring their research findings and artistic journey; find the blog at www.jugiongarchibull2016.weebly.com.

In honour of the village’s connection to the wool industry, they were allocated wool as their topic of study. 

With inspiration and assistance from Jugiong artist Stephanie Corkhill-Hyles, local Aboriginal artist Roy Levett and other village residents, students decorated their calf ‘Murrum-Bridget’, named for for Jugiong’s location on the Murrumbidgee, using woolen pom-poms.

An artwork featuring 24 paddocks to represent the 24 students at the school and the families and others who farm, work on, or are supported by the wool industry was created on the calf. 

The colours of red, ochre and green were also specifically chosen, as was a ring of shearing combs nailed to the base of the calf. 

Murrum-Bridget has challenged students to investigate something intrinsically familiar in a new way.

It has given them a deeper understanding of the lifestyle and industry all have grown up with either directly or indirectly. 

Student Sandy Robb told the Cootamundra Herald that prior to taking on the project he was unaware of Jugiong’s wool industry roots dating back to 1825. 

“The first sheep were here way before even my granddad was born,” Sandy said. 

Tilly Coggan said she learned to express herself through art in a greater way by being involved in the Archibull Prize.

Throughout the creation of Murrum-Bridget students were visited by Young Farming Champion Melissa Henry and local wool classer Jason Manton to pass on their experience and knowledge.

Students from kindergarten to year six were involved in the Archibull Prize.