New leaders emerged at the Wimmera Agricultural Societies Association’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday, April 15.

Supporting the agricultural show movement as a priority, representing the Donald Pastoral & Agricultural Society, Nicole Nunn was elected as the new Association President with the Victorian Rural Youth Ambassador Award’s current titleholder Louise Hobbs representing the Kaniva A&P Society accepting the position as Secretary.

Former Secretary and new Treasurer, Andrea Cross representing the Horsham Agricultural Society, said the two new leaders bring wisdom and innovation to the team.

“Nicole’s late grandmother, Marie Hendy was a former president of the association which demonstrates the strong intergenerational influence the agricultural show movement has on many of us.

Our heritage is what drives the passion and commitment for showing and Nicole has a substantial history with the Donald Show”, Andrea said.

As Louise prepares to represent Victoria in the national ambassador awards, she is also a 2023 Heywire Trailblazer and school teacher at Goroke P-12 College, who is passionate about developing opportunities for students throughout the region to access all things agriculture.

“Louise has an exceptional ability to connect students with her local show at Kaniva through innovative projects.

She brings a new level of enthusiasm and efficiency to the team and her role is vital to the care, support and connectivity to the volunteers who manage the thirteen agricultural shows around the Wimmera”, Andrea said.

This year the 2024 Victorian Agricultural Shows Convention will be held at Kaniva which is a great achievement for the Wimmera group.

This requires commitment by volunteers and the community as a whole and it will have a significant economic boost to the region.

The Wimmera agricultural show movement is in good hands! More information can be found on the group’s Facebook page.

This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 24 April 2024.