ONE Wimmera family is celebrating a win after fire destroyed its farm in January.
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Brimpaen's Rod and Sue Miller own Glenpaen merino stud and say their spirits have been lifted since the start of the year.
The couple has two sons, Will, 13, and Harry, 11.
Mr Miller said the Grampians bushfires burnt through half the family's farm.
"We had to destroy 700 sheep and 200 cattle," he said.
"We thought 2014 would be the year to forget."
But the family will not forget 2014 anytime soon, after winning Victorian Breed Ram of the Year at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo.
The family also won champion fine wool merino ram, champion open fine wool merino ram, grand champion fine wool ram of the show and reserve Victorian merino pair of the year.
The stud took seven sheep to the show, including their winning ram named Hazza.
"It was our most successful showing," Mr Miller said.
"We were pretty excited.
"We go to Bendigo every year - it's a major Victorian show."
The winning ram was also the supreme exhibit at Campbell Town Show in Tasmania.
The couple's son Will followed the stud's success, placing second in the junior judging competition.
Mr Miller said the last time the stud won the Victorian ram of the year award was in 2005.
"It's been a long time between drinks," he said.
"I was going to back off from shows this year but the boys talked me into it."
The family will now travel to Dubbo next month to compete in the National Merino Sheep Show.
The three-day show is from August 26 to 28.
Mrs Miller said the success in the show ring had lifted the family's spirits.
"It looked to be a bleak year after the fires, but the year is rewarding us well now," she said.
"We have had a really successful year, taking out major ribbons at Balmoral and Campbell Town in Tasmania as well."
Mr Miller thanked everyone who supported the family during the bushfire.
"It's good to know there are still some good people out there," he said.