My Rural Ambassador journey began with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Rural Achiever program in 2024. That experience encouraged me to show courage, embrace connection and develop the confidence to grow and lead within our wonderfully diverse agricultural industry.
Representing NSW at the 2025 National Rural Ambassador Award finals at the Adelaide Royal Show took that journey to another level. It strengthened my desire to advocate for the future of Australian agriculture, particularly by building greater understanding between rural and urban communities.
I want every Australian student, whether they live on a broadacre farm or a city street, to understand where their food and fibre come from and to see the exciting careers available across agriculture. Being named the 2025 National Rural Ambassador gave me an incredible platform to continue sharing that message.
Over the past year, I have travelled widely, made lasting friendships and seen firsthand the strength of Australia’s show movement and regional communities.
My year began with a visit to the Perth Royal Show, where I connected with Rural Ambassador alumni and explored the Perth Showgrounds. I later joined ASA Chair Jac Wilson-Smith and the ASA team at Parliament House in Canberra, helping to continue important conversations with state and federal representatives about national funding and policy support for agricultural shows.
Attending the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner was another highlight. The women recognised that evening left me feeling enormously positive and inspired by the talent, leadership and determination found throughout regional Australia.
In Dalby, I spoke at Cattle Australia’s Cattle Connect conference as part of an education panel. It was a valuable opportunity to emphasise the importance of teacher development and access to quality agricultural resources, helping more students understand the breadth of opportunities within our industry.
Closer to home, opening the Guyra Show was particularly special. Watching my students participate in lamb and fleece judging, horse competitions and the art hall was a proud moment. Winning the pen of three competition with our school lambs, ahead of many experienced local producers, was a wonderful bonus.
The 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show brought another busy period of stewarding, hosting and announcing. It was also a chance to welcome several members of my National Rural Ambassador cohort and show them around the grounds. From Sydney, Cassie Bush and I travelled to judge the Rural Ambassador competition at Hawkesbury Show before continuing to Kempsey Show, where we assisted in the beef cattle section and on the main arena.
A trip to Tasmania with Heather Earney followed in May. We visited the Hobart Showgrounds redevelopment and reconnected with Rural Ambassador alumni at Agfest, Australia’s largest agricultural field days run by Rural Youth.
My year concluded at the 150th Ekka in Brisbane, surrounded by the infectious camaraderie of past and present Rural Ambassadors. With a trip to South Africa for the Royals of the Commonwealth Conference still ahead, the connections and opportunities created through this role will continue well beyond my official year.
If my time as National Rural Ambassador has taught me anything, it is that regional communities are thriving. The role is not simply about the individual who holds the title. It is about others: the people we encourage, the voices we amplify and the way we help people feel heard.
I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved, grateful to everyone who supported me and excited to continue advocating for Australian agriculture and our regional communities.
Grace Collins appointed observing ASA Board member
Grace’s contribution to the agricultural show movement will continue, with the ASA Board resolving at its August meeting to appoint her as an observing Board member for a one-year term, effective immediately.
The appointment will provide Grace with further exposure to national governance, leadership and advocacy while allowing the Board to benefit from her experience and perspective as the outgoing National Rural Ambassador.
It also reflects ASA’s commitment to providing meaningful development opportunities for the next generation of leaders within Australia’s agricultural show movement.