Kaniva A&P Society’s Louise Hobbs, representing the Wimmera Agricultural Society, has won the 2023 Victorian Agricultural Society’s Rural Youth Ambassador Award.
As the Victorian winner, Louise will go on to compete in the national finals next year. The award is given to a 20 – 30-yearold with outstanding participation in their local community and show, acting as an ambassador for the agricultural shows movement. Louise has been entering her show since the age of six and has been a steward in the photography section for ten years.
Louise is part of the Kaniva Show committee and coordinates their social media and marketing strategy. Over the years, Louise has volunteered with a variety of community groups in Kaniva including Girl Guides, Lions Club, Rotary Club and the Kaniva and Serviceton Shared Ministry. Louise’s speech from the state finals is available to watch on the Victorian Agricultural Societies Facebook page.
Louise said, “It’s a real honour to win at state; all of the competitors do fantastic things in their show and the weekend has allowed me to create some great networks and develop new ideas to support our shows”.
Louise is the first Kaniva representative to win the Rural Show Ambassador at the state level and has brought the award back to Wimmera for the first time in eleven years. Previous winners were Donald’s Rose Harris in 2011 and Dimboola’s Kate Cross in 2012.
Kaniva A&P Society’s Secretary Kaye Bothe said, “I have encouraged Louise and worked alongside her within our committee; she is an outstanding representative for Kaniva, the Wimmera Agricultural Societies Association and now Victorian Agricultural Shows. Louise has exceptional skills in modern media and an ability to capture an audience. She is passionate about keeping rural Ag shows alive and will be an excellent ambassador for Victoria.
If you are interested in the Victorian Agricultural Show Ambassador program, please contact your local show. There are two programs; Junior Show Ambassadors, aged 16 to 19 years and Rural Ambassadors aged 20 to 30, beginning at the local show level.
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 27 September 2023.
