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Rural Achievers Competition History
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 received:
- 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
From 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.
Competition Finalists (1990 - 2000)
| 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, Cobargo |
| Michael Eagles, Camden | |
| Patrick Hutchinson, Orangeville | |
| Josie O’Brien, P & M McKeon Galloway Stud | |
| Kirrily Smith, Cootamundra | |
| Cye Travers, Woy Woy | |
| Amanda McCalman, Narrabri | |
| Anna Le Suer, 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 |
Competition Winners (From 2001 a single representative from the group has been chosen to go on to compete in a national Rural Achiever competition).
| 2001 | Sarah Moore |
| 2002 | Andrew Hamilton |
| 2003 | Krystelle Ridley |
| 2004 | Garret Goring |
| 2005 | Katrina Watson |
| 2006 | Andrew Thomas |
| 2007 | Tim Robinson |
| 2008 | Alice MacCue |
| 2009 | Shannon McCormack |
| 2010 | Ruth Redfern |
| 2011 | Tim Dreverman |
| 2012 | Prue Capp |
| 2013 | Lyndsey Douglas |
| 2014 | Samuel Martin |
| 2015 | Charles Mill |
| 2016 | Emily Ryan |
| 2017 | Emily Clapham |
| 2018 | Timothy Green |
| 2019 | James Cleaver |
| 2020/21 | Dione Howard |
| 2022 | Jessica Fearnley |
| 2023 | Keiley Noble |
| 2024 | Grace Collins |
| 2025 | James Stephens |



