Courtney flies flag for SA

Courtney Ramsey, who was named SA's Rural Ambassador at the Royal Adelaide Show last year, was named the 2014 Australasian Rural Ambassador at a Federal Council of Agricultural Societies presentation on August 10.

The Rural Ambassador program recognises and fosters the involvement of young people with their country and Royal shows.

"It's absolutely fantastic (the program)," Ms Ramsey said.

"The people you meet are of such an incredible calibre, it was a really humbling experience.

"The program is great for personal development and for equipping people with essential professional skills going forward."

Ms Ramsey, 28, hails from a sheep and cereal property at Buckleboo, near Kimba, and was initially nominated by the Kimba Show to represent her region at Adelaide last year.

While she currently works in the Member for Chaffey's electorate office based at Berri, the agricultural science graduate has previously worked as a research officer for SARDI and volunteered as an aid worker in Peru.

She is heavily involved in her community including serving as secretary for the Kimba Districts Football and Netball Club, and has been involved in her local show for several years, presently convening the Young Farmers Challenge.

Ms Ramsey hopes her role as the 2014 Australasian Rural Ambassador will allow her to have a positive influence on young people in agriculture.

The Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society's Rural Ambassador Award coordinator Peter Angus said Ms Ramsey was a worthy winner.

"Courtney is a fine example of a young woman from rural SA who is a high achiever and has returned to living and working in the country after tertiary studies," he said.

* Full report in Stock Journal, August 14, 2014 issue.