Congratulations to Lachlan Johnson from South Australia, the 2024 National Rural Ambassador. Lachlan brings an inspiring blend of dedication, innovation, and community spirit to the role, having already made significant contributions to his local agricultural and rural communities.
Show Society Involvement
Lachlan has been an active member of the Mundulla Show Society, serving as Junior Vice President for two years and now continuing his leadership as Vice President. Since 2017, he has coordinated the Young Farmers Challenge and has taken on various roles, including overseeing trade sites and organizing nighttime entertainment. He even spearheaded the creation of the Young Farmers Challenge Trailer Project—a tangible example of his commitment to enhancing the agricultural experience for young people.
His initiatives, such as the Scrapheap Challenge and the Mundulla Motorcycle Show, have added excitement and innovation to the local events, all while maintaining the show’s core values. Lachlan’s hands-on approach, from fixing leaking pipes to organizing major community events, demonstrates his deep investment in his community.
Personal Achievements
Lachlan’s accomplishments speak to his longstanding dedication to rural life. Among them:
- 2017 South East and Border Regional Winner and State Winner of the Young Rural Ambassador Award
- 2021 Tatiara Young Citizen of the Year
- 2023 South East and Border Regional Winner and State Winner of the Rural Ambassador Award
Community Involvement
Lachlan is also deeply involved in other community initiatives, such as serving with the Bordertown CFS, working at the Clayton Farm Heritage Museum, and contributing to the Naracoorte Historic Vehicle Club. His passion for vintage cars, trucks, and tractors also extends to his hobbies, where he is proud to own what is believed to be Australia’s largest model tractor collection.
Vision as a Rural Ambassador
Lachlan sees his role as Rural Ambassador as an opportunity to connect with people and encourage them to explore the wealth of opportunities available within their local and rural communities. Through networking, discussing issues facing rural Australia, and offering solutions, he aims to build on the connections he has made through the program.
Lachlan is particularly passionate about promoting greater involvement in agricultural shows, emphasising that many people are unaware of the simple yet rewarding ways they can contribute to their communities. As National Rural Ambassador, he looks forward to furthering this cause and advocating for rural communities on a broader stage.
Looking to the Future
In his new role, Lachlan plans to continue bringing fresh ideas to the Mundulla Show while keeping the essence of the event intact. From organising new activities to ensuring the show remains a central part of the community, Lachlan is committed to fostering growth and innovation while celebrating rural traditions.
We congratulate Lachlan on his well-deserved title of 2024 National Rural Ambassador and look forward to seeing how he will continue to inspire and strengthen agricultural communities across Australia.