Wednesday, 21 September 2022 14:55

Zanda McDonald finalists announced

Written by  Staff Reporters
Harriet Bremner Harriet Bremner

The Zanda McDonald Award have announced their 2023 Award finalists, comprising of six young professionals from Australia and New Zealand.

Now in its ninth year, the award recognises future leaders working in agriculture, and provides a prize package centred around tailored mentoring and education.

Six finalists have been selected, with three from Australia and three from New Zealand. One winner will be selected from each country.

Harriet Bremner, 33, has been named as a New Zealand finalist. She is an author and health, safety and wellbeing advocate for Rural New Zealand, and farmer at Jericho Station, Southland.

Also listed as a finalist is Jacques Reinhardt, 34. He is station manager at Castlepoint Station, Wairarapa.

The final New Zealand finalist is Monica Schwass, 31, future farming manager at The NZ Merino Company, based in Christchurch.

The Australian finalists are Charles Vaughan, 29, Queensland Operations Coordinator/Group Veterinarian for Australian Cattle Enterprises and Director of Charles Vaughan Veterinary Services Pty Ltd; Mitch Highett, 33, Founder and Managing Director of farm management company Bullseye Agriculture, from Orange NSW; and Sarah Groat, 34, Development Officer for government Agtech programme “Farms of the Future”, for the Department of Primary Industries, who lives on the family farm near Rankin’s Springs NSW.

Jacques Reinhardt FBTW

Jacques Reinholdt

Richard Rains, award chairman, says the judges were thrilled with the variety and calibre of applicants for this year’s award, from across the broader agricultural spectrum.

“Going through the applications is always such an exciting process for us, as we get to see the level of passion and talent that lies within our next generation of ag leaders,” he says.

“It’s been a tough job narrowing this year’s applicants down to just six individuals, but we’re delighted with the capabilities of those we’ve selected. They’re dynamic, and full of drive and ambition.

“We’re looking forward to meeting the finalists face-to-face for interviews, and to get to know them a bit better.”

Rains says it’s a highlight to provide the finalists with opportunities to learn, network, experience and grow.

Monica Schwass FBTW

Monica Schwass

The Australian and the New Zealand winner will each receive a prize package which includes a personalised mentoring trip, $10,000 of tailored education or training, media coaching, and other mentoring and industry opportunities.

Face-to-face interviews will take place towards the end of the year, and the winners will be announced at the Zanda McDonald Award Impact Summit, alongside industry leaders and award partners, in Brisbane in March 2023.

More like this

Passion and innovation pay off

A Mid-Canterbury dairy farmer passionate about innovation and continued improvement has been named this year’s winner of the New Zealand Zanda McDonald Award.

Featured

Helping protect sheep from parasites

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) awards. As part of a series looking at this year’s rural winners, Leo Argent talked with Ginny Dodunski, winner of the Veterinary Impact Award for raising the profile of the Wormwise programme.

Top Māori sheep and beef farms showcase excellence in Ahuwhenua Trophy field days

Recently two of New Zealand's top Maori sheep and beef farms held field days as part of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. The two are: Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, northeast of Whangarei, and the proprietors of Tawapata Onenui farm on Mahia Peninsula in southern Hawke's Bay. Reporter Peter Burke attended both field days.

Gongs for best field days site

Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.

National

Machinery & Products

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

Grabbing bales made quick and easy

Front end loader and implement specialist Quicke has introduced the new Unigrip L+ and XL+ next-generation bale grabs, designed for…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

No more pines!

Forests planted for carbon credits are permanently locking up NZ’s landscapes, and could land us with more carbon costs, says…

Group hug!

OPINION: Forest & Bird and farmers don't often find themselves on the same side of an issue, with F&G's litigious…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter