2026 Rural Achiever Application Form

Is designed to provide young people with an opportunity to promote rural Australia and to play a direct form of self-promotion and the best medium for expanding their career and personal greater role in promoting agriculture and rural living.
Discover the next generation of rural young leaders who have a strong commitment to the various agricultural industries and an involvement and genuine interest for the Agricultural Show movement.

The answer is simple...... Young men and women have known for years that Local Shows are the most practical way to get a feel for what’s doing in the city and the bush.
As a Rural Achiever entrant, you can benefit in the following ways:

• A chance to win $1500 cash
• Communicate and socialise with other contestants and officials
• Increase your exposure to the wider community
• Increase your awareness of your local Show and community
• Meet with local community leaders
• Have an opportunity to present yourself to a judging and interview panel
• Networking.

• YOU can become a show ambassador!
• Meet new prospective personal and professional contacts
• Participate with the promotion and expansion of the Rural Achiever movement
• Promote yourself, your local community or interest group
• Meet with community leaders
• Promote your local Show
• Networking and travel opportunities
• You will become an “Honorary” member of the Newcastle Show Committee for the ensuing twelve months
• BE INVOLVED!

Here is an overview of the Rural Achiever Award.
The aim of the Award is to find a person most suited to represent young, regional men and women of NSW.
Our city and surrounding areas have much to offer as an Agricultural, Retail and Business hub for regional NSW.
In saying this, we need not base our Award solely on the land and agriculture. When researching for your presentation, please keep this in mind.
All entrants are to abide by the Rural Achievers Code of Conduct as set by the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) and Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA), when acting as an Ambassador for the Newcastle Show and the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW (ASC), or your local Show Society. Being chosen as your community’s Rural Achiever and then proceeding to the next level (on your merit and application) is a very rewarding and fun experience, but it can also be a daunting one.
The winning entrant who is employed or engaged in fulltime study, may be required to obtain leave of absence for an interview and the final Judging.

The following are criteria to be met and outlined in your submission:

• Agricultural interests and skills
• Rural Community Involvement (eg. Local Show, Volunteering, Fundraising, Sporting Clubs, Aged Care)
• Knowledge of local and general rural issues
• Future goals/ambitions and personal achievements
• Potential to give back to rural and regional NSW in the long term
• Verbal Communication Skills and presentation
• Personality
• Interests/hobbies

• Are you employed or studying?
• Discussion on your present or proposed role in rural NSW
• Primary Production Industries
• Areas of local Interest
• Current Affairs topics, State, Federal, International
• Hobbies, Sport and Leisure Commitments
• Community and Volunteer involvements
• General knowledge
• Your view of the Rural Achiever Award?
• Why have you entered?
• What does the RAS and ASC stand for?
• What have you to offer the Newcastle AH&I Association if you are the Award recipient?

Please direct queries to;

The Newcastle Show office    4961 2085
Owen Johns (Ringmaster)     0475 522 070.

The Award is open to contestants who are permanent residents of Australia and reside in the Hunter Region. Entrants must be aged between 20 years and under 29 years as of 1st March, 2026. The Award is open to males and females.
All entrants must be available to attend the Newcastle Show during the period 27-28 February and 1 March 2026. All entrants must be available to attend the award ceremony on Saturday 28 March 2026. The Newcastle Show Rural Achiever recipient becomes an honorary member of the Newcastle AH&I Association Committee. The Newcastle Show Rural Achiever recipient becomes the Newcastle AH&I Association Ambassador for the ensuing 12 months. The Newcastle Show Rural Achiever recipient will be required to submit his/her resume, photograph and complete Rural Achiever application form. The form is available on the Newcastle Show website. The successful entrant must be available to attend an interview, between Monday 23 February 2026 and Friday 27 March 2026 at the Newcastle Show Office, Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow NSW 2292. It is advised the prospective entrants who are employed or engaged in full time studies or employment be available to attend a face-to-face interview with the judging panel on a date previously advised along with attending the official opening of the Newcastle Show on Friday 27 February 2026. Sons and Daughters of Newcastle AH&I and Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) Councillors are not eligible to enter. Finalists will be requested to arrive no later than the appointed time (to be confirmed). The winner of the Award is expected to attend the duration of the 2026 Newcastle Show on 27-28 February and 1 March 2026. Other finalists may leave after the completion of the Award however it is to your advantage to remain and learn.
In the event of the Newcastle Show Rural Achiever recipient moving from Newcastle/Hunter, or being unable to fulfil the above responsibilities, at the discretion of the Newcastle AH&I Association Inc., the position and responsibilities of the Newcastle Show Rural Achiever will be awarded to the Runner-up. The Runner-up will then represent the Newcastle AH&I Association in their place. The Runner-up to be awarded $500 cash prize money.

Judging Venue: Newcastle Show Office – Newcastle Showground, Griffiths Rd Broadmeadow, NSW 2292