Cath Shelley is the Manager of the Melbourne Royal Emerging Leaders program at Melbourne Royal ®, which aim to celebrate and develop the next generation of agricultural leaders through such initiatives as the youth competitions across the Melbourne Royal Show, the Young Farmer’s Challenge, AgriChat and the State final of the Rural Ambassadors program in partnership with VAS. She also the Competitions Manager for Art, Craft and Cookery.

Brianna is a rural solicitor based in her hometown of Monto, Queensland where she is also Junior Vice President of the Monto & District Show Society. 

Brianna has been involved with the Monto Show her entire life and it was through the Show and its various youth competitions that she was afforded opportunities to become involved at a Sub Chamber, State and National level.  Currently the Burnett Sub Chamber Secretary, Treasurer and Young Judges coordinator, Brianna has also held roles as 2019 Queensland Rural Ambassador Runner Up, having an opportunity to attend the 2021 ASA National Rural Ambassador final in Sydney in 2022, was a Director of Queensland Ag Shows, former Chair of the Queensland Rural Ambassador committee and with the Queensland Ag Shows Next Generation Committee as Treasurer and then President.

Brianna’s proudest achievement as an emerging leader within the Show Movement was the partnership between ASA and Queensland Ag Shows Next Generation which delivered the 2020 Agricultural Shows of Australia Inaugural Conference at the Gold Coast. 

Her community also sees her hold the roles of Director of North Burnett Community Enterprises Limited which operates the Mundubbera Bendigo Community Bank Branch Franchise and as Honorary Solicitor to a number of Agricultural Shows throughout the Burnett.

Carla has been a member of the RNA Future Directions Committee since 2016 and Deputy Chair from 2018-2020, a life member of the RNA for 25 years and a steward at the Ekka for nearly 20 years in the sheep and wool section. She hopes her position on the RNA Future Directions Committee will allow her to contribute in a greater way to the ongoing success of Queensland’s largest event and recognises the importance of strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to make this happen.

Since 2020, Carla has been part of ASA Emerging Leaders and has enjoyed contributing to the compilation of the groups strategic plan and direction for moving forward. She looks forward to actively participating as part of the group as we look to sustain the future of agricultural shows through a next generation approach.

Carla has extensive experience in event, sponsorship and project management and currently works as an Events and Sponsorship Manager at The University of Queensland.

Hailing from Mundijong, Western Australia, Reece Jerrett is a dedicated advocate for agriculture and rural communities. His journey into agriculture began in 2008 with poultry and waterfowl breeding and exhibition, leading to roles such as President of the West Australian Poultry Association and Chief Steward of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA Pigeons & Poultry committee. Beyond the show rings, Reece’s community involvement extends to organizations like the SJ Community Resource Centre and Landcare SJ, where he’s honed skills in event management and environmental conservation. Currently employed as a Refinery Process Operator at Alcoa of Australia, Reece’s versatility and commitment to community and agriculture shine through.

Reece’s vision as a candidate for the 2023 Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale Council Election is to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities, emphasizing the importance of preserving agricultural areas for local food security. As a Rural Ambassador, he seeks to raise awareness of these issues, benefitting not only his local Agricultural Show Society but also fostering collaboration between urban and rural stakeholders. Reece’s focus on community engagement and his insights into the future of agricultural societies promise to make a lasting impact on the agricultural landscape in Western Australia and beyond.

Alexandra Pattinson, a dedicated advocate for agriculture and community, has been an integral member of the Foster and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society since joining its committee in 2018. Alexandra’s notable contributions include streamlining the show’s operations with the implementation of an online entry system, the addition of various show attractions and establishing a youth group within her local show, the Great Southern Next Generation. Her true passion lies in fostering youth participation in agriculture, with the successful delivery of the Young Farmers Challenge at her local show over the last two years. Alexandra’s innovative approach and commitment have drawn diverse participants, including urban professionals eager to embrace agriculture. Alexandra’s development of the Young Farmers Challenge has gained traction and given her local show a spotlight at state level. She was invited to join the Melbourne Royal Emerging Leaders Group to further promote engagement of youth in agriculture. 

Beyond her show society involvement, Alexandra’s completion of a Master’s degree in Animal Science has seen her excel in her position with Agriculture Victoria. In this role, Alexandra facilitates community engagement to safeguard biosecurity in the state of Victoria. Her multifaceted interests, ranging from ocean activities to baking and cooking, reflect her vibrant personality. Alexandra’s aspiration to become a Rural Ambassador highlights her desire to champion rural and regional women and encourage young people into agriculture. Her vision for her local Agricultural Show Society to preserve heritage, while embracing innovation will ensure a thriving future for her rural community. Alexandra Pattinson is a testament to the transformative power of passion, dedication and community engagement in agriculture.

Dione Howard is the 2022 Agricultural Shows Australia National Rural Ambassador. Dione’s day job is as a veterinarian in the Riverina region of NSW, based in Wagga Wagga. Her involvement in the agricultural industry also includes sharing her story with school students and promoting the Australian wool industry. She is a member of her local Lockhart Show Society, and has had the opportunity to travel to both NSW and interstate shows in her role as RAS of NSW Rural Achiever Representative (2021) and as National Rural Ambassador. Dione has been involved in judging NSW Young Woman Competitions at both local show and Zone levels, and more recently the Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards.

Andrew is a founding member of the South Australian Next Generation Group.

In 2012 he was a State Rural Ambassador, winning the Year of the Farmer Award. This bursary, allowed travel to attend the New Zealand Young Farmer Contest in person and various sheep studs. He has held the role of the SA Next Gen Young Farmer Challenge Coordinator since 2011, with a year break in 2018. During his time as YFC Coordinator, I have been an inaugural National YFC working group member, presented 10 State Finals, 2 National finals (Including 2022 Virtual AYFC), secured long term sponsorships and built the ‘Boots and Black-Tie Ball’ raising over $18,000 for SA NextGen.

Andrew is also often an over judge for the Young Judges Competition at local shows in South Australia.

I hail from a small mixed grazing and cropping farm on the south coast of south Australia. the Port Elliot show society is my local show where I help my dad run the horse section, and entering my ute in the musters held there and surrounding shows. I also work at the Royal Adelaide Show as a steward of the horse section and have been for the past 5 years.

I have been part of SA Next Gen for 9 years serving as a committee member and a term as president in years past. Currently I am the state Young Farmers Challenge Coordinator. 

I’m looking forward to the year ahead with our state YFC to being held again on the first Saturday at the Adelaide Showgrounds on the main arena! 

While she grew up in Sydney, Sarah developed a passion for agriculture which led her to study a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Honours I) and then a Master of Environmental Science and Law. She has since moved to Manildra with her husband on a small mixed livestock and cropping property. Sarah works for the Department of Primary Industries in Orange as a Policy & Project Officer with the Animal Welfare team. Sarah joined the RAS of NSW Youth Group with the goal to help increase consumer understanding of the Australian agricultural industry, particularly in city areas, through the various RAS initiatives.

Born and raised in Queensland on a large cattle operation – Justin now calls the New England town of Armidale Home with his wife Kate.

A member and active participant of shows and show societies throughout QLD and NSW since he was old enough to go in his first led Stock Horse Class Justin has been and remains to this day a passionate supporter of Agricultural Shows both Small and Large; he’s held many roles from Steward, to Chief Steward, Ringmaster and Announcer in the Cattle & Horse Sections and is also known to dabble in the occasional Men’s Chocolate Cake or Mens BBQ Sauce Class at his local show.

In 2016 Justin won the title of the (then) MARSH Queensland Rural Ambassador, and in 2017 he then went on to be awarded with the Title of National Rural Ambassador. Justin has had involvement with the Ekka in Queensland and now the RAS of NSW Sydney Royal Easter Show where his is an Announcer  (on the Cattle Lawns) and Steward for the Show. Justin also currently sits on the RAS of NSW Youth Group where he has helped run the State and National Young Farmers Championships for the last number of years. Alongside the RAS Youth Group Justin is heavily involved in numerous Agricultural Shows and Events throughout Queensland and New South Wales where for many; he is their Announcer, as well as supporting as a Steward & Official where required and also as the Night Program Show Caller and Arena (Stage) Manager for one show.

Outside of show time you can find Justin working on production crews at events throughout the state, or capturing photographs or taking in a pyrotechnics display.

Sam attended his first Sydney Royal Easter Show at just three months old and hasn’t missed one since. At a local level, Sam and his family are heavily involved in the organisation of the Cootamundra Show. Sam has been a member of the show society since 1995 and at an average Cootamundra Show can be seen helping administer the Group Finals of the Young Judges program, showing cattle, on the microphone in the main arena or doing odd jobs around the grounds.

In 2012, Sam was National Runner Up in the Beef Cattle Young Judges competition and in 2019 was a NSW Rural Achiever. Sam’s family owns a Hereford Stud and Sam has exhibited or judged at many shows across NSW. In 2022, Sam was invited to judge the RAS Youth Show in the Beef Cattle Section at the 2022 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Since 2021, Sam has been a part of NSW ASC Next Gen, first as a publicity officer and in 2022 was elected General Vice President and ASA delegate.

Alex is currently Chair of the RNA Future Directions Committee at the Royal Queensland Show (The Ekka). Alex has been attending the Ekka since his family showed Murray Grey cattle in the 80’s. After being involved as a Steward within the Beef Cattle and Young Judges sections since 2003, Alex joined the Future Directions Committee in 2019. Alex has spent more than 15 years in the finance industry with a focus on providing funding for Small to Medium sized businesses. Given his involvement with the Young Judges sections at the Ekka, Alex has a strong commitment in ensuring it remains an opportunity for young Queenslanders to increase their involvement in Agriculture, while providing real education opportunities.

I have actively engaged with the agricultural show movement at various levels – local, state, and national. Since a young age, I’ve showcased my family’s Illawarra dairy cattle at Malanda, Atherton & Cairns Shows, and volunteered for over a decade at the Malanda Show in different roles. In November 2022, I was elected as the secretary for the North Queensland Sub Chamber of Agricultural Societies, a role that brings me fulfillment. I also manage the North Queensland Sub Chamber’s Facebook page, which has grown significantly, reaching 18,000 people from across Australia in April & May 2023. As the secretary, I’ve actively organised three sub-chamber finals competitions. Since mid-2021, I’ve been a proud member of the Queensland Ag Shows Next Generation Working Group. I contributed to the organisation and execution of the Queensland Ag Shows Awards in both 2022 & 2023. Being chosen as a Queensland Ag Shows Delegate for the Agricultural Shows Australia Emerging Leaders Working Group in April was a major achievement for me, and in just a few short months, I’ve acquired a vast knowledge base and established valuable connections throughout the Australian Agricultural Show Movement.

Kelly was awarded the 2021 WA Rural Ambassador award after representing the Wagin Woolorama and Great Southern District in 2020 and 2021. In this time she was a member of the Wagin Agricultural Society Committee and had an honorary position on the Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA) council during her term as the WA Rural Ambassador. She is the president of WA Next Generation group which was formed in 2021, running and promoting Young Farmers Challenges around the state, as well as being a committee member of her local Polocrosse Club, Australian Stock Horse Branch and the Emerging Leaders group. Kelly has recently moved to a new town and looks forward to becoming involved with her new local show.

As the current Secretary and Treasurer for the WA NextGen group, Vivian is deeply engaged in nurturing the upcoming leaders in Agriculture.

Working within the Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA), she brings a background in agriculture coupled with a passion for education and youth development.

Her current role at RASWA revolves around Agricultural Education and coordinating the youth competitions, including, Farm Skills, Rural Ambassador, Young Judges and Young Farmers Challenge. She is committed to empowering young minds, fostering a deep appreciation for the agricultural sector, and paving the way for a sustainable future for the industry.

McKinley is Competitions Manager at the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania. She runs the Royal Hobart Show’s Equestrian and Stud Sheep sections. Growing up in the idyllic, rural Derwent Valley, she was drawn to study agriculture because of the opportunities in the sector, and a conviction she wanted to support rural Tasmania.

McKinley has been part of the RAST team for nearly two years. She believes agricultural shows are integral to what it means to be part of a rural community, and young people should be encouraged to play a role in ensuring the show movement continues as a strong and vibrant contributor to the social and economic fabric of local communities. That’s why she is working to establish an emerging leaders working group so we can ensure the future for showing in Tasmania.

Grace has been extensively involved with agricultural shows across Victoria since a young age. As the Chair of the Melbourne Royal Emerging Leaders Group, she relishes the opportunity to deliver high impact and engaging initiatives focused on young people at the Melbourne Royal Show, and across the agriculture industry. Grace was also named the National Rural Ambassador Runner Up in 2021.

With a passion for best practice livestock production and animal welfare, Grace works in science communication and engagement, and also operates a stud sheep enterprise near Ballarat in Western Victoria.

Rachael has always loved attending Agricultural shows, and grew up in rural New Zealand, before moving to Australia as an adult. She loves that an AgShows brings together the city and country and is currently working for the Central Australian Show Society, which organises the Alice Springs Show in July and the Alice Springs Christmas Show late November.