That’s a wrap: Day 11 at the Melbourne Royal Show
National Rural Ambassador
The Melbourne Royal Show proudly hosted the finals of the prestigious National Rural Ambassador competition, where each state sent their young ambassador to vie for the Australian title. Finalists, representing various industries, were interviewed by a panel of judges and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Melbourne Royal.
The award highlights the importance of promoting rural communities and industries, with a focus on agriculture and food production.
Congratulations to Lachlan Johnson from South Australia, who was named the 2024 National Rural Ambassador, and to Caitlin Radford from Tasmania, who was named runner-up.
Lachlan is an agricultural diesel mechanic from Bordertown and Mundulla, South Australia, working at Wiese Farms and running his own business, Johnson Built Bordertown. He plays a key role in the Mundulla Show as Vice President and has been instrumental in organising events like the Scrap Heap Challenge and Young Farmers Challenge. A community leader, Lachlan is also a lieutenant and training officer at the Bordertown CFS Brigade.
Over the next 12 months, Lachlan will represent agricultural shows and the next generation of rural leaders across the country.
Caitlin is a fifth-generation farmer from Moriarty, Tasmania, and has made significant contributions to agricultural shows like Agfest Field Days and the Devonport Show. She farms peas, beans, cauliflowers, potatoes, and sheep, while also running a successful equestrian coaching business, Radford Dressage and Freestyle Music. Caitlin’s impressive equestrian achievements include winning the Australian Para Equestrian Champion and numerous national dressage titles.
Finalists also included Lauren Patane (WA), Louise Hobbs (VIC), and Harrison Lehman (QLD).
“We acknowledge and thank Reece Jerrett, our outgoing 2023 National Rural Ambassador, for his passion and contributions over the past year,” said Katie Stanley, Executive Officer of Agricultural Shows Australia.
Horses in Action
The ‘Grets’ Trophy for the Champion Small Show Hunter Hack over 15 hands and not over 16 hands was awarded to Romsey Park and Stephanie Barrington with Global PPS, with Lauren Ellery’s Merricks Fiore named Reserve Champion.
The Champion Galloway over 14 hands and not over 15 hands went to Alyssa Giustozzi’s Penbury Park Time Square, with Emma Richardson’s KP Dance on Air taking Reserve Champion. This class is sponsored in memory of Champion Galloway ‘Avalon’.
The John Lithgow Award for Champion Large Show Hunter Hack over 16 hands was awarded to Andrea Merry’s Regal Quest, with Sophia Redenbach’s Jermyn Street as Reserve Champion.
