Bec George of Nyngan recently took part in the 2024 RAS Rural Achievers Award following her selection in the top 8, among contenders from all over NSW.  

The Royal Agricultural Society Rural Achiever Award is a state-wide leadership program which recognises future leaders in the 20-29 years of age who are working hard to make significant contributions to both their communities and rural Australia with their love and dedication for the land and agriculture.  

Bec says being part of the program gave her so much more than she expected.

The program which culminates in an overall winner during the Sydney Royal Easter Show, commits to promoting and facilitating agricultural industry networking opportunities with young rural achievers and rural industry leaders through RAS connections, Committees and functions throughout the annual Show.  

“The Rural Achiever Program ran for 7 days, it began two days before show with personal development workshops and an industry panel, then into a jam packed five days at the Sydney Royal,” Bec told the Western Plains App. 

“Highlights included stewarding in various sections across the show, attending government house to receive our Akubras and also attending the Show opening dinner and meeting the Governor General of Australia. 

“It was everything I expected and so much more, the networking opportunities were amazing as well as having a behind the scene experience with the running of the Sydney Royal Easter show.” 

Despite the fact Bec completed a Bachelor of Criminology in 2018, the call of home and the family farm took her back to her roots and a passion for agriculture, where she has continued to live and work since on the family farm. 

Following a win in the Nyngan Young Woman (formerly Miss Showgirl) Competition, Bec says she truly recognised the importance of country Shows to their communities and formed a network of contacts and friendships. This forged her desire to do more and so she applied for the RAS program. 

As well as the intensive week throughout the Show, the selected recipients go on to represent NSW at the National Rural Ambassador Award and to be involved in an exchange program at the. Royal Adelaide Show, with the hope that the Rural Achievers also become RAS ambassadors for NSW and the wider Show movement. 

“I stewarded in the arts and crafts pavilion, woodchopping, as well as in the sheep and goat pavilion. Every section was really insightful into how different areas are run and all stewards and judges were so welcoming, knowledgeable and generous with their time. 

“We took part in one of the Grand Parades and it was amazing to see the amount of people on the grounds watching and attending the show,” said Bec.  

“Meeting the South Australian Rural ambassadors and National winner Reece was also a highlight and I look forward to having the opportunity to attend Royal Adelaide show at the end of the year and catching up with everybody.” 

Grace Collins of Armidale went on to win the Award as 2024 Rural Achiever but Bec is thrilled with her time spent in the program and only has praise for the organisers and fellow competitors. 

“I took a lot away from the experience it has really helped me to develop leadership skills as well as the networking aspect of the people we were introduced to and most importantly the seven others in the program are going to be lifelong friends as well as like-minded individuals who are all passionate about agriculture and their communities. 

“I would highly encourage anyone thinking about applying to put yourself forward, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that has really given me a lot to consider for my community involvement but also the way in which agriculture in Australia is heading. 

“Royal Agricultural Society and the mentors Yvette Mackenzie and Prue McCormack and RAS Co-ordinator Kane Garretts made sure we were provided with every opportunity to be involved with all aspects of the Show.” 

"I am honoured to have been chosen to take part and represent not only my community but also the lifelong dedication of my parents and grandparents to the land in rural NSW, it has been an amazing experience."