Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper
A Cohuna vet has taken out the Agricultural Student of the Year award. Amy Munro received the award at a ceremony held at Parliament House in Canberra on June 17.
Amy, who grew up on her family farm at Cumnock in New South Wales, is an associate veterinary surgeon at Clavin Rogers and Associates. She moved here in August last year after graduating from university.
The Agricultural Student of the Year award is run in association with the Young Farmer of the Year award. Run by the Kondinin Group and the ABC, the awards celebrate and applaud the outstanding achievements of those individuals and families making a significant contribution to Australian agriculture.
Amy was introduced to the Australian Women in Agriculture (AWiA) organisation at a conference and became involved with it throughout her university education. It is because of this involvement that she received the award.
Until her move to Cohuna, Amy held the role of vice-president of the AWiA board. That position enabled her to introduce a new role of youth co-ordinator, a role which she relished, and enabled her to form an AWiA Youth Committee.
She has always been passionate about youth in agriculture and was involved with many youth committees prior to entering university.
“I’ve always been very passionate about helping the next generation coming to agriculture or agriculture-related professions,” explained Amy. “I decided I wanted to be on the AWiA board and allow other young women the mentoring and professional development opportunities that the organisation provides. I was able to create the youth co-ordinator position and also form the inaugural Australia Women in Agriculture Youth Committee. The point of that was that we can support other young women in networking and professional development.”
With the new job and relocation, Amy resigned her positions and is happy for the next lot of girls coming up to take on roles. She is still involved as a member and is a mentor behind the scenes.
AgriFutures Australia was the sponsor of the Agricultural Student of the Year award. Along with the prestigious title, Amy received an Akubra hat, Blundstone boots, a 12-month magazine subscription to the Kondinin Group’s Farming Ahead magazine and access to its online portal. She also met ABC Landline presenter, Pip Courtney, at the awards ceremony.
Amy said that ultimately, she was just doing what she was passionate about – helping other people and bettering the agricultural industry – and was shocked to receive the award. “I wasn’t really expecting an award for what I was doing,” she said.
“It’s nice to be recognised, and that other people have recognised that what I was doing and what I am doing is important. I felt humbled and proud that other people had seen what I was doing, and I hope that it will encourage other young people to follow their passion and keep doing what they think is important for them or their industry.”
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 1 July 2021.
