Maintaining outside interests all part of the boarding experience
Bellata’s Georgia Kirkby, a passionate poultry and duck breeder, started as a boarder at Kincoppal-Rose Bay School (KRB) in Year 7 following her primary years in Narrabri.
Her small hometown has little in common with Rose Bay, a harbourside suburb seven kilometres east of Sydney’s CBD, but Georgia feels at home at a school with a long boarding tradition.
It’s a friendly and really open community.
It’s about community
KRB’s strong contingent of boarders, especially those from rural New South Wales, helped Georgia settle.
“It’s good knowing you’re not the only one who’s moved from a small town or rural area to the city. If you have questions, you can go to the other girls because they’re all going through the same thing.
“The boarders have all moved from different areas to come to KRB. They don’t see their parents or siblings every day, so you can talk to them about what you’re going through.”
It is the friendships and closeness of the boarding community at KRB that Georgia most treasures.
“I like the friendships you end up having. You change rooms every term, so you get to spend time with lots of people.
“It’s a friendly and really open community. The girls are really inviting and the older girls, including the buddies, try to help as best they can.”
Bird breeding interest is no paltry thing
Georgia’s school bedroom is adorned with certificates and sashes won in various New South Wales shows thanks to her skilful duck and poultry breeding.
Starting with just three birds, Georgia now has around 300 chickens and 40 ducks.
Her family encouraged her to get involved with poultry and duck breeding, and being a boarder at KRB hasn’t dented her enthusiasm for it.
During the mid-year break in 2018, Georgia took 28 of her chickens to the Canberra Royal Poultry Show and achieved several first and second places. She was also named most successful junior at the show.
As Georgia has become more confident in her breeding, she has experimented with breeds.
Her mum, Nicky, is amazed at Georgia’s ingenuity and persistence.
“It’s tedious and involves hours and hours of careful studying but she has done that for years now and is reaping amazing rewards and lessons.”
Georgia is also keen swimmer and horse rider and represented the KRB in 2018 and 2019 at the Coonabarabran Horse Expo.
