Domonique Wyse named 2027 University of Illinois Scholarship recipient
Angus Australia and the Angus Foundation are pleased to announce Domonique Wyse as the recipient of the 2027 University of Illinois Scholarship, providing her with the opportunity to spend a semester in the United States developing her livestock judging skills and gaining first-hand insight into the international beef industry.
Supported by the Angus Foundation, the scholarship provides $15,000 towards travel and accommodation expenses while the recipient undertakes the Spring Semester at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois.
The experience will begin in January 2027 with attendance at the renowned National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, before Domonique joins the University of Illinois livestock judging program and travels throughout the United States to compete at judging contests and visit leading livestock enterprises.
An agricultural teacher with a Bachelor of Education specialising in agriculture, Domonique currently teaches at Macquarie Anglican Grammar School. She has also built extensive practical experience within the cattle industry through roles with Weller Herefords, Topline Showstock and KJ Hill Speckle Park.
Her involvement in agriculture extends well beyond the classroom. Domonique is a Director of AgShows NSW, Vice President of the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW Next Generation group and an active member of several local show societies. She was also named The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman in 2024 and participated in the 2025 Sydney Royal Mission to Botswana.
Livestock and meat judging have been a significant part of Domonique’s agricultural journey. She has overjudged cattle competitions at agricultural shows across NSW and Queensland and has achieved success in meat judging, including Champion Meat Judge at the 2025 Angus Youth Roundup and the 2026 Limousin Youth National Show. Domonique also coaches secondary students in livestock and meat judging, helping develop the skills of the next generation of competitors.
The timing of the scholarship represented an important next step in both her professional and personal development, Domonique remarked, “I know I am ready to make the absolute most of it.”
She hopes the University of Illinois experience will allow her to broaden her understanding of meat science, livestock evaluation and United States beef production systems, while gaining exposure to the ways Angus genetics are applied across different supply chains.
Domonique has identified further study in meat science as an important part of her career development and ultimately hopes to combine agricultural education with practical involvement in beef production. Having recently purchased her first home, she also hopes to establish her own rural property and, in time, develop a high-performing Angus steer trade enterprise.
Importantly, she sees the scholarship as an opportunity to bring new knowledge back to Australian agriculture. As an agricultural educator, Domonique plans to translate what she learns into classroom teaching, livestock judging coaching and her broader involvement with organisations such as AgShows NSW. She also hopes to encourage other young people to pursue similar international opportunities and strengthen pathways for the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Angus Australia CEO Scott Wright said Domonique’s combination of livestock experience, education and commitment to developing young people made her a worthy recipient of the long-running scholarship. “The University of Illinois Scholarship is designed to challenge young people, broaden their understanding of the beef industry and give them experiences and connections that can influence their careers for many years,” Scott said.
“Domonique already demonstrates a strong commitment to agricultural education, livestock evaluation and giving back to the industry. We look forward to seeing her take full advantage of the opportunities available through the University of Illinois program and, importantly, share those experiences with others when she returns.”
For more than 40 years, the University of Illinois Scholarship has provided young Angus Australia members with the opportunity to gain international experience, develop livestock evaluation skills and establish lifelong connections within the global beef industry.
Past recipients include industry leaders such as former Meat & Livestock Australia Managing Director Jason Strong and Cattle Australia Director Gary Edwards, highlighting the significant role the scholarship has played in developing future leaders across Australian agriculture.
The 2026 recipient, Eden Kaminski, described his experience as one of the most rewarding of his life. “It challenged me, pushed me outside my comfort zone, introduced me to lifelong friends and mentors and allowed me to see the livestock industry on a global scale.”
Domonique will travel to the United States in January 2027, with her semester expected to conclude in May.
