Leaders of the future

Designed for 20 – 29 year old people, the program promotes and facilitates unique agricultural industry networking opportunities with rural leaders and other like-minded individuals.

This is available through RAS connections and functions during the 2017 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

In its 28^th year, the award aims to acknowledge the achievements of young people in primary industry and rural communities.

This heightens the opportunity for the recipients to become future leaders in rural communities or primary industry.

The recipients are given additional opportunities throughout the year such as representing NSW at the National Rural Ambassador Award.

There is also the chance to partake in an exchange program to the Royal Adelaide Show.

An RAS spokesperson said as part of an ongoing alumni program, the hope is that Rural Achievers also become ambassadors for the RAS and the wider show movement.

This year’s Rural Achievers nominees have a diverse range of interests and experience.

However, they share a common goal of making a positive impact upon rural communities. 

The nominees are:

Thomas Dewhurst

Thomas is from Cowra and works for K-Line Agriculture as a design engineer.

Thomas grew up on a mixed farming property in western NSW.

It was here that he was first exposed to a variety of agriculture practices.

This, paired with his engineering background, sees Thomas striving for a future where there is a greater uptake of technology to increase efficiency on farms and in the wider agricultural industry.

Amy Walker

Amy is from Hovells Creek and is currently employed as a station hand at Breakfast Creek Station.

She is a member of the Cowra Show Society where she stewards for the sheep section.

Amy was awarded a RAS foundation scholarship, donated by the NSW Stud Merino Breeders Association.

She was subsequently invited to steward at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for the Merino section.  

Amy envisages a future where communities recognise and support farmers, creating resilient rural communities.

Emily Clapham 

Emily is from Ilford and is currently working as a medical registrar in the Hunter New England local health district while studying for her physician’s examination.

In 2012, Emily was a state finalist in The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition.

She has continued this engagement with the competition by judging at both a local and zone level, plus presenting and interviewing showgirl entrants onstage.

Emily has a strong interest in rural health.

In the future, she hopes to provide outreach specialist care to those in rural and regional communities.

Amy also hopes to help empower these communities to campaign for better access to health services and technology.

Elizabeth Munn

Elizabeth is from Leeton and is currently an agronomist at Yenda Producers Co Op.

She has a continual involvement across her local shows and the ASC Next Gen.

Elizabeth’s latest personal achievement is her appointment as president of the Leeton Show Society.

The appointment makes her the youngest person to be in this position in a NSW show society.

Elizabeth wants to use her position to make the show a success, especially through increasing youth involvement.

Jarrod Grabham

Jarrod is from Bathurst and is currently studying a Bachelor of International Securities Studies/Bachelor of Arts (History) at Australian National University.  

Jarrod is employed by Vivability Bathurst Inc. Interchange which sees him working with individuals from the community with disabilities, to enable them to participate in everyday community activities.

Jarrod aims to become an advocate for the disadvantaged in rural communities, including indigenous Australians and individuals with disabilities.

He also plans to use his security studies background to contribute to the national dialogue on foreign land ownership and the issue of keeping Australian agriculture Australian owned.

Rebecca Cope

Rebecca is from Narrabri and is the development support agronomist at Cotton Seed Distributors, Wee Waa.

Rebecca has been elected as the vice president of the Narrabri Show Society for the past three years and aims to engage those who aren’t directly involved in agriculture.

Through education, Rebecca would like to see connectivity between regional and rural communities as she believes this is necessary for the future of rural communities.

Cameron Ward

Cameron is from Gunnedah and is predominately employed as a farm manager on the family farm.

He is also employed in his father’s earthmoving business as a dozer operator.

Cameron is successfully operating his own small business, Great Northern Poultry, which produces black skinned chicken for the domestic Asian market.

Aside from this, Cameron is still involved with his local show, both in the cattle and poultry sections, and is the chairman of the Gunnedah branch of NSW Farmers.

Cameron would like to see a reduction in suicide rates amongst young rural men.

He believes this can be achieved through developing stronger relationships with others in the community.

Ashley Norval

Ashley currently resides in Wamboin and is employed by Australian Pork Limited in the research and innovation division as manager of technology adoption and industry capability.

Ashley has a passion for the Australian Stock Horse (ASH), made apparent through her place on the National ASH show committee for 2014 and 2015.

Ashley is interested in learning about producers from across Australia as well as educating individuals to ensure a sustainable future for the agricultural industry.