The ASA bursary recipients had an incredible experience at the recent Conference on the Gold Coast, gaining valuable insights, forging new connections, and returning home with fresh ideas to enhance their local shows.
For Sarah Stanbury, the keynote address by Ray Allison stood out, reinforcing the vital role agricultural shows play in reconnecting people with agriculture. “What we do matters,” she reflected, inspired by discussions on bridging the rural-urban divide and making shows more engaging for young children.
Shaun Sandilands expressed his gratitude to ASA and the RNA for making the conference possible. “The impact of this event on young people passionate about Ag Shows is truly invaluable. The dedicated Next Gen sessions were particularly inspiring, equipping us with the motivation and skills to lead with confidence. I left feeling excited for the future of the Ekka and determined to continue educating and making a difference.”
Henry Scott described the conference as an iconic event that fostered learning and collaboration. “Every speaker had something valuable to share, but the emerging leaders’ seminar was a standout. The friendships and networking opportunities have been incredible—I’m grateful for the experiences and look forward to the next conference.”
Joshua Antonio highlighted the value of AI in show planning. “I’ll be incorporating the AI tools we explored to streamline tasks for WA Next Gen and Northam Ag Society. The insights on engaging and educating audiences through ‘edutainment’ were also eye-opening.”
The bursary program continues to empower young leaders in the agricultural show movement, providing them with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration needed to drive their local shows forward.
