Melissa Neal of Bendigo was last night announced as the 2014 Rural Ambassador Award State winner, selected from 10 Victorian finalists.
The Victorian Agricultural Shows program, sponsored by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), recognises young people who contribute to rural and regional areas with a particular emphasis on their involvement in their local show society.
Melissa represented the Central & Upper Goulburn Group.
Working as a Red Meat Industry development officer at the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) in Bendigo, Melissa is passionate about incorporating research into industry practice and deliverers educational activities to beef and sheep producers and supply chains.
Recently Melissa has managed a national development and extension project to improve lamb eating quality and lean meat yield.
Beyond her career, Melissa continues to communicate research through agricultural shows, co-ordinating commercial and educational focused events such as the Royal Melbourne Show Beef Carcase Competition and is actively involved in agricultural and youth organisations including the RASV Agrifood Advisory Group, Bendigo Show Council and Angus Youth RoundUp.
The State final selection process asked finalists to complete a three-minute public speaking presentation, written submissions and a 30-minute panel interview.
Finalists were assessed on their communication and leadership qualities, and level of involvement, or readiness to become actively involved in their local agricultural show and community.
Rural Ambassador Committee chair and VAS Board director Gerard Ballinger said, “This year’s finalists for the Award were of a very high standard, and I congratulate all of them for their contribution to their local shows and communities.”
The Rural Ambassador Awards provides the winner with a $3000 financial contribution to their career development with the opportunity to represent Victoria in the national finals next year at Sydney Show.
The runner-up was also announced with the title going to Stephanie Muir of Warrnambool Show Society from Hawkesdale.
Representing the South Western Group, Stephanie grew up in the Yarra Valley with her interest in animal agriculture, sparked by a school agriculture program.
Stephanie completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) and a PhD at the University of Melbourne and currently works as a research scientist with DEPI, at both Warrnambool and Hamilton, working primarily on effects of alternative forages on animal production.
Stephanie’s involvement with agricultural shows started as a teenager, breeding and exhibiting Belted Galloway cattle at local and royal shows.
She has been involved with Warrnambool Agricultural Society since moving to the south west in 2012, and this year is vice-president and chief dairy steward.
Stephanie is keen to work with schools to encourage students to undertake higher education in agriculture and promote the diversity of career options available in the agricultural industries.
State finalists were hosted at the Royal Melbourne Show today by the RASV as part of the awards.
- More Melbourne Show results in the Stock & Land September 25 edition
