Jamie Nykiel, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA.
Nine up and coming lamb industry advocates from across Australia have been named as finalists in the LambEx 2018 Young Guns Competition.
Finalists in the early to mid-career producers and professionals (aged 40 years and under) section are Danila Marini, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales; Andrea McKenzie, Department of Agriculture & Fisheries, Charleville, Queensland; John Gardner, South Mokanger, Cavendish, Victoria; in the High School section Zach Baker, Kojonup District High School, Kojonup, Western Australia; Hannah Haupt, Calvary Christian College, Carbrook, Qld; Lindsay Brown, Yanco Agricultural High School, NSW, and in the undergraduate, postgraduate, masters & PhD students section are Amy Lockwood, Murdoch University, Baldivis, WA; Jamie Nykiel, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA and Georgia Reid, Ag Pro Management and University of New England, Mount Barker, WA.
All will fly to Perth to attend a Professional Development Workshop and LambEx 2018 on August 5-7, with the three category winners, who will each receive a $1000 prize, to be announced during the conference.
The LambEx 2018 Young Guns Competition is held thanks to sponsors the Australian White Suffolk Association and the National Australia Bank. The competition aims to reward and encourage young and upcoming producers, industry professionals and scientists to consider a future or ongoing career in the Australian lamb industry.
LambEx 2018 Chair Bindi Murray said she was excited by the strong field of entries and the nine finalists who had been selected.
“It’s important to help support and provide opportunities for young people in agriculture,” she said.
“We need to ensure more young people become involved in the sheep and lamb industry to build on the current buoyancy and help secure its ongoing success.”
NAB Head of Agribusiness SA & WA, Matt O’Dea said it was important to celebrate emerging leaders in the agriculture industry and give them the opportunity to provide input into the direction of their industry.
“NAB Agribusiness throws its support behind this event because we strongly believe in the importance of providing opportunities for young leaders,” he said.
“We have great confidence in the future of the sheep and lamb industry with the calibre of young people that the LambEx Young Guns Competition continues to attract.”
Australian White Suffolk Association Board Member Andrew Heinrich said the Young Guns concept was a great opportunity for youth, and his association was very proud to be a competition sponsor.
“It provides a wonderful example to help young people from within the industry to grow and develop more confidence and experience, as well as improve their networking skills,” he said.
“This is the third time that the competition has run, and the third time that the association has been involved in sponsoring it. It has been really wonderful to be involved in the process and see the growth of previous finalists.
“The competition stepped up another level last year with some of the strongest applicants yet and the 2018 competition has hosted another strong field of applicants.
“The Australian White Suffolk Association really look forward to seeing the nine finalists and the three winners at LambEx 2018.”