FORMER Gurley local Katherine Munn is one of eight RAS Rural Achiever Award finalists at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, with winners announced tonight at a gala dinner.

Katherine, along with James Gilmour from Bukkulla, near Inverell, Georgina Haire from Wee Waa, Jacob Moriarty and Tasha Hurley from Condobolin, Brooke Watts (Molong), James Stephens (Gresford) and Roy Elder from Wongarbon, near Dubbo, have been identified as future leaders in Australian agriculture.

They are currently attending a unique, eight-day leadership program at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Katherine said the leadership program offered a range of topics and skills.

“We’ve done some professional development on personal values and having difficult conversations, which was great,” she said.

Katherine, whose parents Brendan and Karen Munn are busy preparing for the April 25-26 Moree Show, said visiting Government House and meeting the NSW Governor, Margaret Beazley. has been a highlight for the group, which quickly bonded after they all met each other.

“The Rural Achiever group have all made fast friends, and there are already plans to help each other with our shows at home,” Katherine said.

“The past few days we’ve been getting a behind-the-scenes look at the Sydney Show, stewarding various events like cattle, sheep, goats, arts and crafts, and woodchopping.

“We’ve also had opportunities to provide interviews to the main arena presenters,” she said.

“Sunday was our public speaking showcase, where we were given a topic last week to prepare a speech about.

“This year, the subject is Technology – Friend or foe, and how it may affect quality of life.”

(from left) Georgina Haire, Katherine Munn, Brooke Watts, Tasha Hurley, Roy Elder, James Stephens, Jacob Moriarty and James Gilmour in Sydney for the RAS Rural Achiever Awards (Image Supplied).

The RAS Rural Achiever Award Winners will be announced tonight.

“The entire group knows we’re all winners already to be getting this opportunity and making so many useful connections,” Katherine said.

The RAS Rural Achiever Competition is a state-wide leadership program run by the RAS to recognise young leaders aged 20-29 who are working hard to make a significant contribution to their local community, show society and Australian agriculture.

The finalists

Tasha Hurley

Tasha is a passionate advocate for rural communities, Australian agriculture and empowering youth to champion regional excellence. With a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management, she’s worked in livestock marketing and business development at Forbes Livestock and Digital Ag Tech & Sales at On The Box. Tasha is deeply involved in her community, serving on multiple committees in Condobolin and Forbes, connecting with and inspiring future local leaders and supporting various events and businesses. A former chair of the Royal Agricultural Society Youth Group, she has dedicated her time to advocating for agriculture on both local and national levels. Tasha is driven to inspire future generations of rural leaders, promote the Australian ag industry and ensure ongoing support for farmers and rural communities.

Jacob Moriarty

Jacob discovered a passion for agriculture following high school and has pursued this through various roles within the farming sector. He is currently completing a Diploma in Agriculture while working as an assistant farm manager in Canowindra. His responsibilities include enhancing soil carbon levels in dryland cropping and managing livestock in the mixed farming system. Jacob is an active member of the Canowindra Show Society and serves as the organiser of the Canowindra Crop Competition. In 2024, Jacob was honoured with the Canowindra Rural Ambassador Award recognising his enthusiasm for community engagement and agricultural advancement. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Jacob and his wife are dedicated to supporting their infant daughter’s future engagement in rural life including the training of her pony in preparation for her future in the local pony club.

Brooke Watts

Brooke is a seasoned professional with deep roots in agriculture, cultivated through her upbringing on her family farm in Molong. Armed with a Bachelor of Business Management, she leverages her wealth of knowledge and passion to ignite innovative conversations in industry. Recognised for her leadership, Brooke was named a 2024 finalist for Western NSW Outstanding Young Business Leader of the year and a finalist for 2023 Charles Sturt University Young Alumni of the year. In her passion for inspiring youth initiatives in agriculture and an increased adoption of ag tech, she has founded The UpGen Project and continues to oversee operations at her family owned company, Bralca.

Katherine Munn

Katherine found her passion for agriculture as a young girl feeding sheep off the back of an old Toyota Landcruiser with her grandfather, before her passion for rural issues was cemented during the 2017-2020 drought. Having worked in a professional capacity in the agriculture industry for the past seven years, her love of rural Australia has only grown, as she has listened and learned from the stories of growers across the country, from Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory, to Ballarat in Victoria. Katherine’s mission is to champion agriculture across the state through rural and regional communities and agricultural shows, as a long-time committee member of the Moree Show, and now as the youngest President of the Albury Show.

Georgina Haire

After completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2020 Georgie moved closer to home to become more involved in her family farm, and in 2023 partnered to open a physiotherapy clinic in Narrabri. Georgie has completed further studies in women’s health physiotherapy and plans to undertake further studies in rural generalist practice, to widen her skillset and help overcome healthcare accessibility barriers for people living in rural and remote communities. Georgie has always been passionate about agriculture and is starting to take more responsibility in her family’s farming business with share farming. Georgie has also been involved with the Zone 4 Young Woman movement, striving to empower more young people to return and work in our smaller communities.

James Gilmour

Growing up in northern New South Wales, James is deeply passionate about supporting the vitality and sustainability of rural communities. Since 2015 James has participated in Sydney Royal Easter Show Young Judges competitions, where he has gained the experience to mentor young wool classers and other young judges, advocating for inclusivity and leadership despite physical challenges. He has worked closely with farmers and agricultural organisations, particularly through his qualifications as a wool classer and his role as Chief Farm Produce and Junior Judging Steward at the Warialda Show, to champion local industry. He currently manages the self-founded White Gold sheep studs and has recently established JAG Santa Gertrudis stud. James’ most recent achievements include the RAS Next Generation Recognition Award and State Champion Junior Fleece Judge.

James Stephens

Originally from Cronulla, James discovered his passion for agriculture early, leading him to pursue a career in the industry. With a Diploma in Agriculture, James established James Stephens Rural Contracting, working across the Dungog Shire managing properties and supporting local farming operations. Alongside his contracting work, James manages his own herd of beef cattle with plans to expand his operation. James is an active committee member of the Gresford District Agricultural Society, where you’ll find him stewarding in the horse ring to working in the yards during the campdraft. He is always ready to volunteer at community events, fostering community spirit. Excited for the Rural Achiever Program, James hopes to further enhance his leadership journey, connect with others and continue to make a meaningful contribution to the agricultural sector.

Roy Elder

Holding a Master of Construction Project Management and a Bachelor of Architecture and Environments, Roy is a Project Manager delivering infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of Australian grain growers, including managing construction of a multi-million dollar grain silo and railway upgrade at Red Bend and managing the build of a new silo factory at Forbes. Roy is involved with local tree planting and river clean up initiatives, and in local Council recently managed the election campaign of a group which elected three councillors and a new mayor for Dubbo Regional Council to lead the region’s development for the next four years.