Young Gippsland farmer Sophie Crooke has become the first Victorian winner in the National Rural Ambassador award in its 17-year history.
The 25 year-old who was selected from six state finalists and a New Zealand representative at the finals held at the Royal Adelaide Show says it was “highly unexpected”.
“I am just in awe of how incredible everyone else has been and I have learned so much from them,” she said.
“It was a real eye opener for me to come to Adelaide and see how that was run and to continue my journey to get more youth in agriculture throughout Australia, not just my hometown.”
Ms Crooke and her husband run a beef cattle and cropping property, the Holey Plain, and are aiming to start their own grassfed beef brand next year.
She is also a lab technician with local oil and gas company, Esso.
Country shows have been a big part of Ms Crooke’s life, especially her local Sale Show where she is now the junior vice-president.
She grew up showing horses and showjumping and also established the Young Farmers Challenge in 2016 after seeing it at the Royal Melbourne Show.
“I saw all these young agriculturally-minded people having a great time and I thought we need to bring some of this back home,” she said.
As Agricultural Shows Australia’s (ASA) National Rural Ambassador, Sophie hopes to encourage more young people to get involved in the Show movement, particularly in leadership roles.
“By giving someone the responsibility to organise something they’re passionate about gives room for wonderful input and achievement by young members, giving them a sense of commitment and belonging, which is so important,” she said.
ASA chair, Rob Wilson, said the award attracted an outstanding field of candidates, including WA farmer Luke Hall from Wagin, who was sashed runner-up for his work as the head beef cattle steward at Wagin Woolarama and decade of volunteering.
