Harrison Lehman of Alpha has been named the 2023 Queensland Rural Ambassador winner.
Representing the Central Highlands sub-chamber and Alpha Show Society, the 24-year-old currently works within a family beef cattle operation.
He holds a Certificate III in Agriculture.
“I don’t know if it has really sunk in yet, it is just a huge privilege,“ Harrison said.
“I went up against the nine most amazing people I think I’ve ever met in my life and any one of us could have been standing here and Queensland definitely would have been proud.
“But to come down here and represent rural Australia and Queensland, is a huge privilege to all of us. We really do have a strong passion for what we do and where we come from.
“Any chance we get to share with metropolitan areas about what we do and where we come from, we will give our everything.”
The Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards identifies and celebrates young rural leaders, providing professional development opportunities and exposure to new networks.
Originally from Inverell, NSW, Harrison moved at 21-years-old to Alpha to accept a manager’s role at a large property.
He captains Alpha’s rugby league team and is vice-president of the Alpha Rodeo and Campdraft Committee. Also, alongside his partner, he organised the Stockman’s Challenge at the Alpha Show.
Harrison will now represent Queensland at the National Rural Ambassador final to be held at the Royal Melbourne Show in 2024.
Brianna Barron, meanwhile, was named Rural Ambassador runner-up.
She represented the Darling Downs sub-chamber and Cooyar Agricultural Society.
Brianna, who works for Barron Bros Livestock, completed a Certificate III in Agriculture and is an accredited certifier for cattle tick inspection.
On a community level, she is the Cooyar show secretary, showgirl coordinator and canteen coordinator.
She is also a member of the Cooyar campdraft society and, in 2021, bought her second cattle property in the Cooyar area.
In September 2024, Brianna will participate in a Rural Ambassador Exchange program at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Finally, Matthew Petty was recognised for Community Spirit, which is given to the person who displays the values and
principles that align with the traditions of the Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards.
Representing West Moreton and Brisbane Valley sub-chamber and Marburg Show Society, Matthew’s business, Scenic Valley Contracting, specialises in general labouring, operation of civil and agricultural machinery and domestic and rural maintenance services.
Matthew is also involved with his family farm and breeds his own stud cattle, which he exhibits at local shows.
The 2023 Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards were announced at Royal on the Park, Brisbane on 19 August.
Ekka show announcer Lyndsey Douglas said the 2023 state finalists “were 10 of the finest examples of the next generation of agricultural leaders that I’ve ever met in one cohort.
“It was such a great group.“
The Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards identifies and celebrates young rural leaders, providing professional development opportunities and exposure to new networks.
Run by Queensland Ag Shows since 2003, it is a rural and agricultural leadership program for young people aged between 20 and 30 years of age.
The role of a rural ambassador is to advocate for agriculture, represent rural communities and Queensland’s Agricultural show societies.
The awards provide an avenue for participants to become more involved with their local agricultural show and for these
organisations to, in turn, recognise, celebrate and develop Queensland’s future community and agricultural industry leaders.
