Rural Achievers Award Winners

Rural Achievers

The RAS Rural Achiever Award is a state-wide leadership program run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW to recognise future young leaders (20-29 years of age) who are working hard to make a significant contribution to their community and to rural Australia.

The program began in 1990 as the initiative of the RAS Scholarship and Education Committee. Initially named the RAS Young Achievers Award, the competition became known as the Rural Achievers Award in 1991. Its originally stated aims were to:

• Highlight the importance of youth in agriculture and the show movement.
• Identify enthusiastic, skilful, industrious and unselfish young people.
• Provide a forum for young people to express their views and develop closer links with agriculture and the show movement.

Initially, ten finalists were chosen, however, over time that number settled to eight. All participants currently receive:

• A share in a pool of prize money
• An extensive variety of networking opportunities with agricultural industry leaders and delegates.
• Personalised mentoring with an RAS representative for one year.
• Professional development sessions lead by respected industry professionals.
• Extensive seven-day program of events during the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Itinerary includes function at Government House, stewarding, a behind-the-scenes look at the Show, dinners with respected agricultural industry leaders, and more.
• Complimentary one year RAS membership

Since 2001 a single representative from the group has been chosen to go on to compete in a national Rural Achiever competition.

The calibre of finalists has been outstanding from the outset with many possessing double degrees across fields as diverse as economics, science, law, medicine, business, marketing and communications, with a focus on agriculture and rural issues.

More information on the history of the Competition can be found here.

Previous Finalists

 

1990

• Geoff Bush, Kirraweena Hereford Stud, Greendale
• Mathew George, Baronda Park, Tanja via Bega
• Danny Henderson, “Nalyappa” Yaouk Valley, Adaminaby
• Warwick Kopp, “Towalba” Peak Hill
• Phillipa Moore, Kenthurst
• Narelle Phelps, Woolners Arm, Via Casino
• Simon Shilton, “Clarence Park” Limpinwood
• Linda Smith, Ruse
• Susan Webeck, “Sunnyside” Copeland via Gloucester
• Andrew Wood, “Caversham” Uralla

 

1991

• Robert Bonnano, Carlingford
• Sarah Buckler “Whittleford Spinney” Lidster via Orange
• Penny Newman, Farm 938, Murrami
• Simon Penrose, Tamworth
• Craig Turner, Campbelltown
• Jonathan Wright, “Coota Park” Woodstock

 

1992

• Jane Bonamini “Warrawee” Millers Forest NSW
• Stuart Davies “Caernarvon” Camden NSW
• William Jardine “Curry Flat” Nimmitabel
• Alison Kirk “Weenoona” Rylstone
• Richard Magner “Leefield” via Tenterfield
• Julieanne Metcalfe “Inverquarie” Albion Park
• Susan Orr “Redbank” Morundah
• Leanne Ridley Condoblin
• Pedr Willis “Barfield” Walgett

 

1993

• Louise Heaton, Glenheaton, Gurrundah
• Tracy Helyar, Condoblin
• Michael Lamph, “Neridah Poll Hereford Stud,” Glenn Innes
• Mark McAneney, Wilga Downs, Peak Hill
• Gavin Moore, “Glenmore” Moores Way via Camden
• Kevin Smith, “Lyn-Lore Park” The Oaks
• Jason Strong, Gunnedah

 

1994

• Charles Malloy “Forest Lodge” Mulyandry via Forbes
• Heidi Adler, Lane Cove
• David Seis, “Roxanna” Birriwa
• John Chapman, Tamworth
• Erica Steel “Ben Nevis” Walcha
• Ashley Gardiner, Mudgee
• Jane Shelley “Kaludah” Rock Flat

 

1995

• Damien Sotter
• Jane Condell
• Tanya Frame
• Toni Commens
• Nigel Strutt
• Martin Lill

 

1996

• Bruce Eather, Scone
• Heidi Eisenhauer, Junee
• Craig Graham, Cowra
• Karen Hood, Cranebrook
• Alastair Rayner, Picton
• Rebecca Sargent, Wagga Wagga
• Fiona Thompson, Emmaville
• Cameron Tonkin, Cunnock

 

1997

• Adam Cannon “Yeronga” Peak Hill
• Carolyn Cooper, Bega
• Jenny Davoren, Oakville
• Paul Eccleston “Bonnie Doon” Cooma
• Guy Evans, Mudgee
• William Keen “Westgrove” Gunnedah
• Anthony McKoy “Mildara” Holbrook
• Marie Miller “Pinelder” Lidster via Orange

 

1998

• Steven Salway, a Dairy Farmer from Cobargo.
• Michael Eagles, a town planner from Camden.
• Patrick Hutchinson, a Sales Agronomist from Orangeville.
• Josie O’Brien, a Cattle Operations Manager for P & M McKeon Galloway Stud.
• Kirrily Smith, from Cootamundra. An Extension Agronomist with NSW Agriculture
• Cye Travers, from Woy Woy. A Meat Grading Officer with Meat Standards Australia.
• Amanda McCalman, a Cotton Agronomist on Togo Station at Narrabri.
• Anna Le Suer, a Sheep & Wool Livestock Officer with NSW Agriculture.

 

1999

• Sharyn Phelan [Bega]
• Sam Phillips [Bathurst]
• Jeremy Walsh [Dubbo]
• Kelly Dowling [Mudgee]
• Robyn Shea [Milton]
• Amanda Corney [Hartley]
• Michelle Dries [Nyngan]
• Annie Reen [Meadow Flat]

 

2000

• Lachlan James
• Amanda Carter
• Naomi Ridley/Niaomi Ridley
• Pip Wynn
• Kylie Stafford
• Renae Craft
• Gina Wilford
• Leanne Kelly

 

2001

• Todd Aitken, 21, Duri,
• Jason Sutherland, 23, Moss Vale,
• Jacki Richards, 21, Tamworth,
• Tara Brewer, 24, Holbrook,
• Luke Gaynor, 24, Ariah Park,
• Troy Setter, 24, Delungra,
• Jane Preston, 22, Glen Innes,
• Jamie Pursehouse, 25, Ariah Park,
• Sarah Moore, 21, Narellan Vale - winner

 

2002

• Andrew Hamilton - winner
• Kylie Bailey
• Sally Barton
• Michael Connors
• Brad Gavenlock
• Michele Kumm
• Amy Perfrement
• Debbie Williams
• Kate Woodward

 

2003

• Krystelle Ridley - winner
• Susan Bower
• Craig Croker
• Kylie Fretwell
• Ellen Downes
• Rebecca Staines
• Karen Elphick
• Jeremy Steel
• Pedr Harvey

 

2004

• Garret Goring - winner
• Karen Roberts
• Alison McIntosh
• Michelle Hottes
• Peter McGilchrist
• Jillian Hancock
• Stacey McMahon
• Nathan Purvis
• Rebecca Carswell

 

2005

• Katrina Watson - winner
• William Elridge
• Tom Corkhill
• Catherine Drady
• Adam Randall
• Hannah Frazier
• Janine Revell
• Sheree Knox

 

2006

• Andrew Thomas - winner
• Kurt Andrew
• Henry Taylor
• Shellie Corney
• Catherine Ryan
• Yvette McKenzie
• Anna Booth
• Naomi Cole
• Donna Salway

 

2007

• Tim Robinson - winner
• Stephanie Tarlinton
• Anna Unger
• Anne Starr
• Peter Godbolt
• Daniel Dickeson
• Sophia Butler
• Cameron Clarke

 

2008

• Julia Crowley
• Gary O’Brien
• James Turtle
• Amy Lawson
• Ian Pursehouse
• Spike Orr
• Ellen Newberry
• Alice MacCue - winner

 

2009

• Shannon McCormack, Leeton - winner
• Kellie Cooke, Raleigh
• Tim Stivens, Junee
• Tom Pearce, Bega
• Liz Pearson, Cootamundra
• Melissa Lauff, Orange
• Patricia Cooke, Cowra

 

2010

• Richard Connell, Panuara
• Tom Green, Forbes
• Ruth Redfern, Sydney (originally Narrabri) - winner
• Kiri Broad, Narrabri
• Ashley Strom, Hobbys Yards
• Georgina Oakes, Inverell
• Dougall Roberts, Tamworth
• George Wragge, Scone

 

2011

• Tim Dreverman, Berridale - winner
• Amy Dutton, Duramana
• Charles Hollingworth, Wagga Wagga
• Toni Jericho, Moree
• Dale Bowers, Stockinbingal
• Rachael Rodney, Belimbla Park
• Dan Korff, Hay
• Jaci Mascord, Penrith BC

 

2012

• Prue Capp, Gresford - winner
• Anna Redden, Somerton
• Kylie Jonkers, Cowra
• Patrick Buckley, Theresa Park
• Matthew Irwin, Port Macquarie
• Rebecca Byrne, Moree
• David Gale, Ourimbah
• Hayley Rutherford, Deniliquin

 

2013

• Lyndsey Douglas, Sydney - winner
• Candice Eyles, Tamworth
• Gail Forsyth, Mount Hope
• Eilis McCormack, Leeton
• Felicity McLeod, Broken Hill
• Joanna Newton, Joanna Newton
• Erin Rush, Warren
• Dwayne Schubert, Gunnedah
• Brooke White, Cowra

 

2014

• Brodie argue
• Rowan Bromfield
• Georgia Clark
• Joshua Gilbert
• Samuel Martin - winner
• Kate Molloy
• Alexandra Murray
• Marilyn Terlich

 

2015

• Charles Mill, Delungra - winner
• Brendan Mansbridge, Eugrowra
• Kylie Schuller, Henty
• Rowan Alden, Worrigee via Nowra
• Timothy Eyes, Wyong Creek
• Jordan Hogg, Moree
• Diana George, Nevertire
• Airlie Trescowthick, Holbrook

 

2016

• Tamara Biffin [Cawdor]
• Jordan Hoban [Cowra]
• Hannah Kempton [Mudgee]
• Wesley Rohr [Kandos]
• Emily Ryan [Coonamble] – winner and national runner-up
• Aimee Snowden [Tocumwal]
• Sally Taylor [Trundle]
• Edward Thomas [Cooma]

 

2017

• Emily Clapham [lford] - winner
• Rebecca Cope [Narrabri]
• Thomas Dewhurst [Cowra]
• Jarrod Gabham [Bathurst]
• Elizabeth Munn [Leeton]
• Ashley Norval [Wamboin]
• Amy Walker [Hovells Creek]
• Cameron Ward [Gunnedah]

 

2018

• Thomas Taylor
• Meg Rice
• Joseph Murphy
• Erika Heffer
• Tess Bailey
• Hanna Darmody
• Jock Brownhill
• Timothy Green – winner

 

2019

• Samuel Johnson
• Rebecca Thistlethewaite
• Samuel Bush
• Denbigh Burrows
• Katrina Nash
• James Cleaver - winner
• Lachlan Patterson
• Rayali Banerjee

 

2020/2021 – Winner was not awarded in 2020 due to the cancellation of Show because of the outbreak of COVID-19. Finalists were carried over to 2021 and were awarded in that year.

• Allister Clarke
• Dione Howard - winner
• Josie Clarke
• Kory Graham
• Mitchell Dwyer
• Ryan McParland
• Sally Gavin
• Siobhan Smith

2022

• Alister Meek [Hobbys Yard]
• Jessica Fearnley [Bathurst] - winner
• Carl Schubert [Dungog]
• Katy Armson-Graham [Padstow]
• Lucy Collingridge [Armidale]
• Meg Austin [Broken Hill]
• Miranda McGufficke [Cooma]
• Nicole Cowling [Maclean]

2023

• Keiley Noble [Narromine] - winner
• Sophie Wood [Tamworth]
• Bronte Talbot [Dooralong]
• Jed McEvoy [Coonabarabran]
• Therese Perrignon [Hay]
• Casey-Lee Rebellato [Mount Hutton]
• Jerod Blyton [Macgregor]
• Laura Fletcher [Goulburn]