The coveted title of Rural Ambassador 2019 is set to be decided at the upcoming Perth Royal Show.
The Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA) Rural Ambassador (RA) National Finals competition is the culmination of a series of competitions which take place each year throughout Australia. From local shows applicants proceed through to Group / Chamber level, then State-based competitions and ultimately to the National Finals.
With an exceptional calibre of contestants this year, competition is fierce.
The RA program consists of more than 200 local, state and national competitions and attracts nominees with an unwavering commitment to their communities and to agricultural activity.The program is open to males and females, aged between 20-30 years of age. Entrants are nominated by their Agricultural Society.
Finalists are assessed on their activity and initiative within their local rural communities and their commitment to agriculture, their local Show/s and their future goals in and for agriculture. As well as the work they’ve undertaken which has brought them to the National Finals, competitors are interviewed and assessed on their communication skills, their passion for their work, their presentation and their general knowledge.
Meet the 2019 Finalists
Ashley Evans, 28, Port Arthur, TAS
“My ambition is to educate young people about the agriculture industry to ensure that they are capable of forming opinions based on facts. I believe that it is so important to be transparent when informing students about agriculture because as much as I love the industry, as with any industry there is always room for improvement. It is my goal to improve general agriculture awareness and understanding not only through my job as an agriculture teacher but also through my other paid and volunteer roles.”
Brooke Cuddihy, 28, Maclagan, QLD
“An ambition I am focusing on at the moment is to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. I have made small changes in my daily life to lessen my environmental impact and enjoy enlightening others with the knowledge that I have obtained within the last few years.”
Courtney Davies, 23, Auckland, NZ
“Over the next two years I aim to be enrolled in a PhD, looking further into agricultural microbiology and how we can use bacteriophages to help eradicate M. bovis throughout New Zealand and the wider world. Academic research is fantastic, but it is also important to have a clear line of communication between scientists and the people we hope to help with this research.”
Chris Hutchinson, Kapunda, SA
“I have already implemented my suggestions to improve our local show e.g. stronger and improved social media presences not only on Facebook but Instagram update to our show website, graphic design and strengthening our relationships with our local shows particularly in the northern region where the Kapunda show is located. Show ground layout, sponsorship packages and additional new and exciting sections. Trying to shape the future of our local show and bringing it into the 21st century.”
Harris Thompson 22, Boyup Brook, WA
“I hope to one day be one of Australia’s Leading beef Cattle judges. My lifetime goal is to judge at Canadian Western Agribition, The Charolais cattle at Brisbane Ekka, the Angus breed at Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Interbreed Competitions at Beef Australia, held every 3 years, in Rockhampton, QLD.”
James Kirkpatrick, Beaufort, VIC
“I joint facilitated the formation of the youth committee. The aim of this committee is to get the younger generation involved and also linking the younger members with the committee and with each other. Two of the youth committee members sit in on the Show Society meetings to be included in decisions and to also provide a voice for the younger committee members, with their ideas of expanding the show, so it flourishes in the years to come.”
Timothy Green, 22, Yanco, NSW
“I would like to begin to share my technical knowledge and skills with the generations to follow. Ultimately I would like to end up in some form of teaching capacity. Too many skills and too much knowledge is lost when people retire and fall out of the system and I do not wish for that to happen with me. I enjoy teaching and working with people younger than me so that is my long term aim.”
To learn more about this year’s finalists and keep up to date with the news from all the National Finals follow Agricultural Shows Australia on Facebook.