THE future of agriculture in Ballarat region is in safe hands.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That is the verdict of Amanda Mason, one of the judges for the Ballarat Rural Achiever Awards.
Ms Mason, who is the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s vice-president, said the three Ballarat Rural Achiever Award winners were a worthy sample of the quality of candidates.
The Rural Achiever Awards were divided into three categories for the first time this year.
Ashley Porter, of Avoca, was named Next Generation Farmer of the Year; Michael White, of Bungaree, the Ballarat and District Agriculture Apprentice of the Year; and Charles Edmonston, of Ballarat, was awarded the Agribusiness Young Achiever of the Year.
The awards were presented at the Ballarat Rural Achiever Awards and Charity Fund-raiser at the Bungaree Community Centre on Saturday.
“One of the things I can say is we were really impressed with the calibre of the candidates.
“If these are the example of young people in agriculture in the Ballarat region, we are in very good hands for the future.”
About 100 people attended the awards night and charity event, which was organised by the BAPS youth committee.
More than $2000 was raised for the youth committee’s charity of choice, beyondblue.
Ms Mason was one of three judges, along with Michael Daunt who is also on BAPS executive, and Jo Curkpatrick, from the Central Highlands Business Forum.
“It is the first year it has been a stand-alone event. The decision was made to give it a space of its own separate from the Ballarat Show and it went very well,” Ms Mason said.
“Our youth committee, headed by Kerri Gallagher and Shane Zammit, did an amazing job.”
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au
For Farmer’s Weekly, see The Courier on Wednesday