Rural Ambassador Awards
Join the QLD Rural Ambassador Awards Working Group!
Contact Details
QLD Ag Shows Office
Queensland’s Premier Programme For Future Leaders
The Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards is the preeminent rural and agricultural leadership program for men and women aged between 20 and 30. Run by Queensland Ag Shows since 2003, the Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards allow young people to promote Queensland, agriculture, rural communities and show societies, while providing an avenue for local communities and Ag Shows to recognise, celebrate and develop future leaders.
Entrants participate in a program that is designed to help them grow, network, develop their skills and hone their ambitions, giving them the confidence to return to their communities and industries and assume leadership positions. One attribute the finalists have in common is an enduring commitment to and involvement in their communities. Most have grown up with ag shows in their blood and are significant contributors to their local shows.
The Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards bring together eleven finalists annually who represent eleven regions across the state (Burnett, Central Highlands, Central North West, Central Queensland, Darling Downs, Near North Coast, North Queensland, South Burnett, South East Queensland, South West Queensland, and West Moreton & Brisbane Valley) for an unforgettable and formative state final experience at the Ekka (aka Royal Queensland Show).
What’s the process?
The selection process requires entrants to have won at a local competition followed by their sub-chamber competition to qualify for the state program. The Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards brings together 11 sub-chamber finalists annually.
Over four days at the Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards State Final, the 11 Queensland finalists enjoy tours with Agforce, Australian Country Choice, Ekka behind-the-scenes, camel farming and dairy operations; dine with dignitaries and leaders from parliament, industry and the council of the royal show; meet with media and sponsors, and speak in the main ring in front of tens of thousands of Ekka Patrons. The winner then competes in the National Rural Ambassador final hosted by Agricultural Shows of Australia, as the Queensland Rural Ambassador.
What’s involved at a local level?
The local experience is uniquely different at each Local Show from year to year and is reflective of the finalist’s experience and interest within their local Ag Show and Agricultural Interests.
Confirm your interest by contacting your local show and if you are not sure who to contact, reach out to the state committee and we will assist you to put you in touch with your local show
Partners Of The Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards
We are proud to partner with like-minded companies and organisations who share a passion for celebrating young rural leaders and the success of regional Queensland and its agricultural industries.
Over the years, our Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards partners have successfully activated their sponsorship through:
- Conducting tours of their facilities
- Offering memberships to entrants
- Speaking at our events to entrants
- Presenting on panels to entrants
- Leveraging our social media channels
- Cross promoting their own competitions
- Attending our functions to meet entrants
- Creating content on their involvement
Queensland Ag Shows is open to all of these activities and more to ensure partnerships provide an excellent return on investment for your organisation.
Learn how you can partner with us here.
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors
- RM Williams
- AgForce
Silver Sponsors
- Australian Country Choice
- Australian Beef Holdings
- Senator Susan McDonald
- RNA
- Richard Smith Photography
- Annexe Apartments
Bronze Sponsors
- Shepherdson & Boyd
- Drynan Family
- Showmens Guild of Australasia
- Robertson Family Farming
- James Lister MP
Supporters
- Hannas Toowoomba
- Virbac
- The Cairns Show
- Royal on Park
- Rohan Birt Plumbing
- Datadoo Anglo Nubians
- Ipswich Trophy Centre
- Sandstream Glass & Etching
- Queensland Country Life – Rural Press
- South Australia Country Shows
- LUP Ticketing
- Newrybar Rugs
- Sally Prosser
- Willow & Hide
- Bec Fing Designs
- Taroom Pharmacy
Alumni Supporters
- Lawrence Sehmish-Lahey
- Angela Gee
- Ashton Solli
- Jessica Kirk
- Nathan Trace
- Myles Newcombe
- Kerri Robertson
- Jessica Kerr
- Kylie Hopkins
- Christie McLennan
- Brianna Hockey
2024 Rural Ambassador State Finalists
L-R: Brianna Van Doren (Near North Coast), Jontti Arnold (Central & North-West), Jamie Hartwig (Burnett), Hannah Gumbleton (North QLD), Madeleine Pittstock (South Burnett), Jack Murphy (Darling Downs), Emily Watts (South-West QLD), Sarah Thorpe (South-East QLD), Shikira Stehbens (Central QLD), Jessica Mayne (Central Highlands), Stephanie Laycock (West Moreton & Brisbane Valley)
2024 Queensland Rural Ambassador Winner:
Stephanie Laycock
Stephanie Laycock holds a Bachelor of Agribusiness and a Bachelor of Sustainable Agriculture with a focus on Livestock and Poultry Science from the University of Queensland.
Her achievements include being the 2016 Young Prime Judges State Champion, serving as the over judge for Beef 2024 Young Stud Judges, and playing a key role in organising the Toogoolawah Futurity and Cattle Camp. Stephanie also serves as the chief steward of the Esk Stud Beef and has been selected for the 2024-25 Future Beef – ABL Program.
Stephanie’s leadership experience includes running cattle youth camps and young cattle events, where younger participants are taught how to judge and parade cattle. She also manages the family beef operation, overseeing all aspects from mustering and processing to genetics, breeding, animal health and marketing.
Beyond her professional commitments, Stephanie actively contributes to the community by volunteering at various agricultural shows, including the Esk and Toogoolawah Shows, and organising events like the Droughtmaster Futurity and Junior Cattle Camp.
2024 Queensland Rural Ambassador Runner-Up:
Jack Murphy
With a Bachelor of Secondary Education in Agriculture, Science and Engineering, Jack works at Good Samaritan College, Toowoomba, focusing on supporting at-risk students to become industry-ready.
Recognised for leadership with the Queensland Shows Award for Emerging Leader (2019) and a state finalist in the Queensland Volunteering Awards, Jack has also excelled in poultry showing, with multiple grand champion titles and junior champion awards.
His role as Show President contributed to a 180 per cent increase in gate takings. Jack has served as vice president and president of a Show Society, founded the Poultry Young Judges Competition in Queensland, and led show cattle teams to enhance student engagement in agriculture. He is passionate about expanding students’ opportunities in the industry.
Jack’s hobbies include breeding and exhibiting livestock, with a commitment to promoting animal welfare and sustainability in agriculture.
2024 Community Spirit Recipient:
Emily Watts
With a Diploma in Agribusiness from Marcus Oldham, Emily works as a leading hand for the Hacon Family based near Cloncurry and manages the goat enterprise at Bullindgie Past Co.
Emily was awarded the Dirranbandi Agricultural Bursary and the Wal Dunston Scholarship in 2022 and has excelled in polocrosse, representing Queensland and the Australian Junior Polocrosse Squad. She is involved in their family business, B&C Ag Enterprises, focusing on breeding quality livestock.
Involvement in the Dirranbandi Show includes introducing goats into the schedule in 2023, serving as a steward for the goats and Dorper sections in 2024, and participating in Polox and Pony Club.
Emily and her partner Brenton aim to build a commercial cattle stud with a focus on regenerative agriculture and land improvement. Emily is passionate about educating young people on agricultural issues, including land inflation and the value of agricultural businesses.
She views the Rural Ambassador program as an opportunity to advocate for agriculture and stay innovative amid political and technological changes in the industry.
