Both sections had three participants each, with Jacqueline, Cameron Dale and Kelsey Pollard competing for the Junior title, while Jack, Matt Bryant and Todd Shepherd vied for the Senior title. 

Last year’s Rural Achiever and 2017 Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Rural Achiever Amy Walker said Junior recipient Jacqueline is always keen to be involved with the local community. 

“Jacqui is in Year 10 at Cowra High School and is involved in local clubs including Pony Club, the Show and Woodstock Show,” she said. 

“Jacqui wishes to study agricultural microbiology after school.” 

Senior winner Jack, who is from Canowindra, was described as “heavily involved” in both rural shows and local agriculture. 

“Jack currently works with Brighton Wool in Canowindra after completing a stock agent trainee-ship,” Amy said. 

“Jack is heavily involved with the local show and the football club and is passionate about agriculture.”

Amy then spoke about her experiences at the Sydney Royal Easter Show as a RAS Rural Achiever earlier in the year and encouraged the senior entrants to apply for Sydney. 

“Rural Achiever has been an amazing experience that I am all the better for. The people you meet and the contacts and networks that you make set you up for life,” she said.

“But it’s your fellow Rural Achievers that mean the most, they become your family.”

She said the RAS Rural Achiever Awards gives young rural people fantastic professional and networking opportunities on both a local and state level. 

“The RAS Rural Achiever Awards is a state-wide leadership program designed to recognise future young leaders who are working hard to make a significant contribution to their local community and to rural Australia,” she said. 

“The program promotes and facilitates unique agricultural industry networking opportunities, rural leaders and other like-minded individuals.”