Bateau Bay’s Michelle Parker was named the 2026 Champion of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) at the recent Royal Easter Show in recognition of her decades of breeding, showing and judging guinea pigs.

Ms Parker has been breeding and showing guinea pigs for more than 30 years and is currently president of the NSW Cavy (guinea pig) Club and as a judge has adjudicated all over the country and overseas.

She was nominated for the award by the Companion Animals Committee in recognition of her work at the Royal Easter Show for more than 20 years.

“I have been part of the Australian Cavy Fancy for 30 years now and always enjoy sharing my love of guinea pigs with others,” she said.

“Over those 30 years I have gained a wealth of knowledge about cavies – their health and care, the different breeds and varieties they come in as well as their genetics.”

Ms Parker’s first year attending the Sydney Royal Easter Show was in 2000 and she said she was “over the moon” when she walked away with a first place and two third places.

“The following year, 2001, I was absolutely mind blown to have won the ultimate title of Best Cavy in Show,” she said.

Since then, she has won so many awards she has lost count.

Ms Parker got her first pair of guinea pigs in 1995 and after talking to one of her mum’s work colleagues she learnt about “cavy shows”, something she didn’t know existed.

“I went along to a show a few weeks later and my eyes were opened to the magnificent world of standard breed cavies and cavy shows,” she said.

“I attended the next show, entering my two girls into the pet class and walking away with a place ribbon and was also allowed to purchase two show guinea pigs, joining the club on the spot and being excited to be able to enter them in the next show.

“Being part of the Cavy Fancy over the years I have made some incredible lifelong friendships.”

She enjoys sharing her passion with like-minded people and is now heavily involved in all aspects of guinea pigs.

“I honestly never thought I would be so heavily involved in the Cavy Fancy as long as I have and taking on all the roles I have over the years,” she said.

She is the current president of the NSW Cavy Club, treasurer of the Capital Country Cavy Club, and secretary of the Australian National Cavy Council (the national governing body) as well as being an Australian all breeds judge, judging all around Australia and internationally.

“I have a feeling cavies will always hold a special place in my heart and I can’t imagine there ever being a time I don’t own them,” Ms Parker said.

“The Sydney Royal show has been a momentous part of my life for the past two decades, and I have been heavily involved in not only exhibiting every year, but the organising and running of the Cavy Show.

“I feel absolutely honoured to have been nominated for this award.

“It is lovely to be recognised for all I have done for the Sydney Royal’s Cavy Show over the past 25 years.

This article appeared in Coast Community News, 30 April 2026.