AN impressive line-up faced the judges in the state Rural Ambassador competition last month at the Royal Melbourne Show, with Caitlin Grieve representing the Midlands Group and Ballarat Show, the winner.

Runner up was Nicci Teitge representing the Central and Upper Goulburn Group and the Mansfield Show.

The VAS (Victorian Agricultural Shows) state finals’ winner will now compete at the national Rural Ambassador competition at the Royal Adelaide Show next year.

Caitlin lives on the family farm in Dean (16 kilometres north east of Ballarat) where she is involved with all aspects of sheep work while juggling full time work and studying a Bachelor of Arts part time.

“It was such a huge honour to represent our shows as well as Victoria,” said Caitlin.

“Doing the Rural Ambassador has given me a big confidence boost.”

The 24-year-old spent a year and a half in New Zealand, studying Agricultural Science at Lincoln University on a Leadership Scholarship and working in the North Island before COVID disrupted her studies.

She is now studying towards a major in history with a minor in English.

Caitlin hopes to get into museum studies and have the opportunity to work in places such as the Stockman’s Hall of Fame which reflect much of Australia’s rich rural past.

Her family boasts several generations of farmers in the area which Caitlin believes is intrinsic to her identity and interest in agriculture.

She also has an interest in journalism and telling stories especially of our pioneering spirit.

“I love learning and love sharing knowledge,” she said.

Caitlin’s passion for sheep has included exhibiting her family’s stud Dorset Horns and stewarding and judging at agricultural shows.

During the past three years she has supervised the Heritage Sheep Breeds display at the Royal Melbourne.

It provides an opportunity for Caitlin to interact with the public and educate them about the sheep industry.

Like runner up Nicci Teitge, Caitlin shares the view that there is a huge gap in knowledge between those who live in urban areas and the country.

Caitlin is going to use her time between now and the Rural Ambassador national finals next year to “create a project” and work on a few interactive agricultural activities in schools to help bridge that gap.

The other state finalists representing their groups and local shows; were Matilda Smith for Midlands and Beaufort, Tess Runting for Central and South Gippsland and Pakenham; and Cassandra Douglas for Goulburn Valley Riverina and Euroa.

It was a full weekend from Friday October 4 to the announcement of winners on the Sunday October 6.

On the Saturday, each ambassador was interviewed by a panel of three judges, Susan Campbell-Wright, Steve Campbell-Wright and Greg Macdonald.

Each ambassador also had the opportunity to be interviewed in the broadcast box at the Melbourne Royal, on the main arena.

That afternoon the Rural Ambassador team won the state final of the “Young Farmers Challenge.”

Congratulations to Nicci Teitge, Tess Runting, Fraser Cameron and Bahlin Wishart who will represent Victoria next year in Adelaide

This was followed by the Future Leaders Luncheon enjoyed by all the ambassadors and their families before the announcement of the results.

VAS executive officer, Rod Bowles was impressed with the standard of entrants for the Victorian Rural Ambassador Award.

“We had five state finalists and each one of them had fantastic qualities which made it very hard for the judges to find a winner,” said Mr Bowles.

“It came down to the public speaking for which the topic was ‘What are the future risks to the success and longevity of agricultural shows and how do you think you can resolve these risks?”

“Each of the finalists had some great ideas and the most common was the resources of volunteers,” he said.

“It is a great program (Rural Ambassador) to recognise and encourage the talented young people in our community that are involved with the shows and contribute in so many ways with local organisations,” said Mr Bowles.

“Each competitor has a story to tell and have achieved some amazing things but still only in their mid-20s,” he said.

The Rural Ambassador Award has been running for more than 20 years and took over from the Miss Showgirl to be a unisex competition.

They are judged on their local show involvement, general and rural knowledge, personalities and communication skills, ambition, goals and presentation skills.

Both Caitlin and Nicci highly recommend getting involved with your local show and entering the Rural Ambassador competition.

They said they were surprised to discover what a prestigious award it was and highly respected in the community.

Anyone interested in the Rural Ambassador and the Junior Ambassador competitions can contact VAS or their local show society for details.