2008 Rural Ambassador State Final
Ingrid Smith crowned 2008 Rural Ambassador
Ingrid Smith, from Mintaro, was named the South Australian Rural Ambassador at the Royal Adelaide Show on Tuesday 9 September 2008. Ingrid was nominated by her local Clare show, and went on to represent the Northern region as a state finalist.
Ingrid, a busy mother of three who works on her family's farm as well as studying a double diploma in Youth and Social Work and Rural Counseling, was one of six finalists from throughout rural SA who participated in the award.
She plans to use her reign as State Rural Ambassador to promote country shows and encourage and inspire young people to step up and be a part of their local shows.
The runner ups were Richard Cobbledick, Uraidla & Summertown Show, representing Central Districts, and Nick Lawrence, Mundulla Show, representing South East and Border.
Other finalists were Ashley Braun (South East and Border), Matt Wilson (Northern) and Candice Bensen (Yorke Peninsula).
Ingrid's prize included a $5000 scholarship from the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia Education Foundation. THe runner ups each received $1000. All three will travel to New Zealand next year on a two week stud tour as their major prize.
Ingrid will also represent South Australia in the national final to be held at the Hobart Royal Show, Tasmania, in October 2009 and is a worthy ambassador for the state.
The Ambassador Award is conducted by the Agricultural Societies Council of SA with the valued support of sponsors Primary Industries and Resources SA, the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA Education Foundation, Stock Journal Publishers, RM Williams, National Australia Bank and the Showmen's Guild of SA.