RAS Rural Achiever Award
The RAS is committed to engaging, educating and mentoring young people in agriculture through competitions and events with the aim to reinforce their passion for the industry and long-term association with the RAS.
- Overview
- 2025 Finalists
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- 2024 Finalists
- 2023 Finalists
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The RAS is committed to engaging, educating and mentoring young people in agriculture through competitions and events with the aim to reinforce their passion for the industry and long-term association with the RAS.
Tasha Hurley | Condobolin
Tasha is a passionate advocate for rural Australia and agriculture. With a Bachelor in Agricultural Business Management, she worked as a Livestock Marketing & Business Development Officer for 3 years at Forbes Livestock before joining On The Box as an Agency Representative, making buying and selling online easier. Tasha is deeply involved in her community, serving on multiple committees in Condobolin and Forbes to support local events, businesses, and opportunities. A former Chair of the Royal Agricultural Society Youth Group, she has dedicated her time to advocating for agriculture on both local and national levels. Tasha is driven to inspire future generations of rural leaders, promote the Australian Ag Industry and ensure ongoing support for farmers and rural communities.
Jacob Moriarty | Canowindra
Jacob discovered a passion for agriculture following high school and has pursued this through various roles within the farming sector. He is currently completing a Diploma in Agriculture while working as an Assistant Farm Manager in Canowindra. His responsibilities include enhancing soil carbon levels in dryland cropping and managing livestock in the mixed farming system. Jacob is an active member of the Canowindra Show Society and serves as the organiser of the Canowindra Crop Competition. In 2024 Jacob was honoured with the Canowindra Rural Ambassador Award recognising his enthusiasm for community engagement and agricultural advancement. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Jacob and his wife are dedicated to supporting their infant daughter’s future engagement in rural life including the training of her pony in preparation for her future in the local pony club.
Brooke Watts | Molong
Brooke is a seasoned professional with deep roots in agriculture, cultivated through her upbringing on her family farm in Molong. Armed with a Bachelor of Business Management, she leverages her wealth of knowledge and passion to ignite innovative conversations in industry. Recognised for her leadership, Brooke was named a 2024 finalist for Western NSW Outstanding Young Business Leader of the year and a finalist for 2023 Charles Sturt University Young Alumni of the year. In her passion for inspiring youth initiatives in agriculture and an increased adoption of ag tech, she has founded The UpGen Project and continues to oversee operations at her family owned company, Bralca.
Katherine Munn | Albury
Katherine found her passion for agriculture as a young girl feeding sheep off the back of an old Toyota Landcruiser with her grandfather, before her passion for rural issues was cemented during the 2017-2020 drought. Having worked in a professional capacity in the agriculture industry for the past seven years, her love of rural Australia has only grown, as she has listened and learned from the stories of growers across the country, from Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory, to Ballarat in Victoria. Katherine’s mission is to champion agriculture across the state through rural and regional communities and agricultural shows, as a long-time committee member of the Moree Show, and now as the youngest President of the Albury Show.
Georgina Haire | Wee Waa
After completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2020 Georgie moved closer to home to become more involved in her family farm, and in 2023 partnered to open a physiotherapy clinic in Narrabri. Georgie has completed further studies in women’s health physiotherapy and plans to undertake further studies in rural generalist practice, to widen her skillset and help overcome healthcare accessibility barriers for people living in rural and remote communities. Georgie has always been passionate about agriculture and is starting to take more responsibility in her family’s farming business with share farming. Georgie has also been involved with the Zone 4 Young Woman movement, striving to empower more young people to return and work in our smaller communities.
James Gilmour | Bukkulla
Growing up in Northern New South Wales, James is deeply passionate about supporting the vitality and sustainability of rural communities. Since 2015 James has participated in Sydney Royal Easter Show Young Judges competitions, where he has gained the experience to mentor young wool classers and other Young Judges, advocating for inclusivity and leadership despite physical challenges. He has worked closely with farmers and agricultural organisations, particularly through his qualifications as a wool classer and his role as Chief Farm Produce and Junior Judging Steward at the Warialda Show, to champion local industry. He currently manages the self-founded White Gold sheep studs and has recently established JAG Santa Gertrudis stud. James’ most recent achievements include the RAS Next Generation Recognition Award and State Champion Junior Fleece Judge.
James Stephens | Gresford
Originally from Cronulla, James discovered his passion for agriculture early, leading him to pursue a career in the industry. With a Diploma in Agriculture, James established James Stephens Rural Contracting, working across the Dungog Shire managing properties and supporting local farming operations. Alongside his contracting work, James manages his own herd of beef cattle with plans to expand his operation. James is an active committee member of the Gresford District Agricultural Society, where you’ll find him stewarding in the horse ring to working in the yards during the campdraft. He is always ready to volunteer at community events, fostering community spirit. Excited for the Rural Achiever Program, James hopes to further enhance his leadership journey, connect with others and continue to make a meaningful contribution to the agricultural sector.
Roy Elder | Wongarbon
Holding a Master of Construction Project Management and a Bachelor of Architecture and Environments, Roy is a Project Manager delivering infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of Australian grain growers, including managing construction of a multi-million dollar grain silo and railway upgrade at Red Bend and managing the build of a new silo factory at Forbes. Roy is involved with local tree planting and river clean up initiatives, and in local Council recently managed the election campaign of a group which elected three councillors and a new mayor for Dubbo Regional Council to lead the region's development for the next four years.
Eight Rural Achievers are selected to receive an extensive eight-day program of events during the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Itinerary includes function at Government House, stewarding, behind-the-scenes look at the Show, dinners with respected agricultural industry leaders, plus:
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A share in $17,000 prize money
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A unique and extensive variety of networking opportunities with agricultural industry leaders and delegates.
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A uniform provided by R.M.Williams & RAS embroidered Akubra
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Complimentary 1 year RAS membership
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Personalised Mentor Program with RAS representative for duration of 1 year.
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Professional development sessions lead by respected industry professionals.
Congratulations to Grace Collins announced as the 2024 RAS Rural Achiever.
2024 RAS Rural Achiever
Grace Collins | Armidale
Uniting her passion for agriculture and working with young people, Grace currently works with two school farms, supervising and assisting during agricultural shows and excursions as well as showing cattle on weekends throughout NSW. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Agriculture and aims to complete a Master of Teaching, as she sees the need for accurate and transparent education about farming practices to be taught in schools, both in urban and in rural areas.
Grace will represent NSW at the 2025 National Rural Ambassador Award.
Grace is a qualified Artificial Insemination Technician who owns and operates ACE Genetics. Grace holds a Bachelor of Animal Science, majoring in Livestock Science and minoring in Livestock Production. Extremely passionate about her local community, Grace is an active Mullamuddy Bush Fire Brigade member and Vice President of the Gulgong and District Campdraft. Grace also takes great pride in her contribution to the family property, maintaining her late grandfather's superfine Merino sheep production legacy. One of Grace's most recent achievements was receiving the 2023 Mudgee Show Society Rural Ambassador Award.
Holding both a Bachelor of Agriculture and Bachelor of Business with a major in Marketing, Joel has recently established Byng livestock as Co Principle, striving to provide reliable, consistent and profitable genetics to commercial producers, whilst also holding an animal health advisory role for AgriWest Rural. Through sharing his passion for the industry and involvement in youth and community events, Joel strives to educate all young people on the importance of agriculture. He is working hard to retain our young people within rural communities.
Shanelle has obtained numerous qualifications in leadership, digital media and marketing to support her impressive work in the not-for-profit sector. Shanelle is passionate about grassroots community engagement and utilises her skillset to bring innovative ideas to fruition while striving to maintain the relevance of NSW agricultural shows and societies. Shanelle is the current Newcastle A. H. & I Association Rural Achiever and a current member of multiple show societies across the Hunter Valley region, including her role as Director of the Maitland A H Show Society. As an advocate for the agricultural sector, Shanelle uses her platform to encourage her community, particularly school-aged children, to broaden their understanding of the industry and how it relates to their own lives in rural areas.
Sally holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and operates a sheep and cropping farm alongside her husband, while also working as the Natural Capital Advisor for Central West LLS. Sally runs her own business, The Rural Virtual Assistant, offering farm HR, admin and data management for farming businesses. In 2018, Sally founded “The Top Paddock”, a mental health support service that delivers tailored programs to rural communities to educate people on mental health and link those who need it to appropriate support services. Sally also volunteers with multiple community organisations, striving to make a difference in all aspects of her community.
After completing a Bachelor of Criminology in 2018, Rebecca moved home to the family farm, where she unexpectedly developed a passion for agriculture. Rebecca made a spur-of-the-moment decision during the 2018 Nyngan show to compete in the Showgirl competition, which she would win. Through this competition Rebecca learnt the importance of local agricultural shows and discovered a network of people which she now considers her closest friends. Rebecca is now involved with the family business and works closely with her local show societies to ensure rural communities stay alive and connected.
With a dedication to providing young people with an agricultural education and other rising young leaders with opportunities, Kate is the coordinator of Youth Competitions for the Wagga Wagga Show Society. Kate also strives to break the mould for young mothers and encourage young women with children to continue striving for their goals and professional development. With a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours and currently studying Diploma in Project Management, Kate is currently a project manager for MINTRAC, aiming to improve the skills of workers within the meat industry.
As the current President of the Young Pastoral and Agricultural Association, Emma can share her passion for rural communities with thousands of people through the Young Show. When Emma is not using her Certificate 3 in Engineering Trade – Metal Fabrication to oversee the operations within her family’s transport company and carting anything that can be put on a truck, she is working hard to empower women in Agriculture at numerous public speaking forums and educational events. Emma’s hard work has been recognised throughout the years with titles such as 2022 Young Show Society Rural Ambassador and Southern NSW Student of the Year, Innovative Manufacturing, Robotics and Science 2019.
Congratulations to Keiley Noble announced as the 2024 R.M.Williams RAS Rural Achiever.
2023 R.M.Williams RAS Rural Achiever
Keiley Noble
After completing a double degree in Agriculture & Business, Keiley is now using her skills as a Policy Officer with the NSW Government, working on drought policy and economic strategy, in addition to running a contracting and hay sales business with her husband.
Growing up in a small rural town, Keiley is passionate about regional NSW and the AgShows movement and hopes to one day become an advocate for the agriculture industry and regional NSW.
Sophie boasts an impressive resume of involvement with the Agricultural Show movement, from stewarding and judging to organisation and leadership roles. Working as an Account Manager within the Agribusiness industry, Sophie is passionate about agricultural education and hopes to establish an education initiative for metropolitan primary school children where they can learn more about agricultural processes and ‘where things come from’.
Working within the environmental sector, Bronte is passionate about protecting water resources and rehabilitating catchments and regional environments. Her goal is to help regional communities find a balance between infrastructure and the environment through the adoption of sustainable practices. An enthusiastic horse competitor, Bronte has a long competition history with local Agricultural Shows, as well as getting involved with stewarding and judging.
After completing a Bachelor of Agriculture, majoring in plant production, Jed now works as an Agronomist, while also operating a mixed operation farm of sheep, cattle, and cropping, with his family. Jed is committed to developing his skills and network, and to utilising new technologies, to help provide rural communities with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive.
Therese established her own real estate agency in 2021, with plans to expand by incorporating additional services such as auctioneering and property valuation, with the added bonus of creating further job opportunities for locals. Therese also assists in the operations of her husband’s family farm, as well as her own family’s harvest contracting business, and takes pride in her involvement in local sporting teams and her local show.
As a part of the Royal Australian Air Force, Casey hopes to utilise her newfound leadership skills to work as a public affairs officer after completing her MBA. Growing up on a small cattle farm in Newcastle, Casey’s involvement in her local agriculture show has encouraged her to help other sectors connect with regional communities, which she plans to do through her work as a public affairs officer.
After completing a Bachelor of Business Management, Jerod has worked extensively in a variety of agricultural sectors as a Policy Officer and Government Relations Manager. Jerod is passionate about making life better for farmers and their communities. Jerod’s skills have also led him to the judging circuit, where he has competed in several state and national finals for RAS Young Judges competitions for Sheep & Fleece.
After completing her Bachelor degrees in both Secondary Teaching and Agriculture, Laura hopes to establish mobile teaching workshops and camps that offer both regional and remote, as well as city communities, exposure to hands-on, diverse and sustainable farming practices. Laura is also passionate about improving the quality and engagement of women in Agriculture and plans to complete her accreditation to become an Australian Alpaca Association judge.