New ambassador to promote youth

The 25-year-old student support officer at Lucindale Area School was named the 2014 Rural Ambassador state winner at a presentation dinner on Tuesday night.

The win continues a stellar run for the South East show, which has produced a state finalist in each of its six years competing.

"Two years ago, I was invited by Naracoorte Show to enter and was runner-up to Chelsea Dahlenburg, who was last year's state runner-up. I entered again last year and have been lucky enough to go all the way," Ms Harvie said. It was an overwhelming feeling to win the prestigious title and be among the eight finalists from across the state who received a behind the scenes look at SA's largest annual event (Royal Adelaide Show, she said: "The experience over the past five days has been phenomenal."

Two years ago, Brooke joined the Naracoorte Show committee - which has benefited from an injection of youth on its committee - and quickly stepped up to take on the secretary's position earlier this year from 2008 state winner Amanda Lock.

Ms Harvie has been actively involved at Naracoorte since childhood, riding ponies and entering school craft.

In more recent times, she has convened the highly popular dog high jump and children's pet show.

Ms Harvie is studying externally through Charles Darwin University to be a primary school teacher, and is a volunteer and umpiring coordinator for Naracoorte netball club.

Her prize included a $5000 scholarship from the Royal Agricultural Society of SA Education Foundation.

The two runners-up - Thomas Darmody, Kapunda, representing Northern and Luke Nuske, Pinnaroo, representing Murraylands, each received $1000.

Both are actively involved with their local shows. Thomas is the vice-president of Kapunda and Light Agricultural Society, and Luke is a Pinnaroo Show committee member and organiser of the Bushman's Challenge.

All three will travel to New Zealand in 2015 on a two-week study tour as their major prize.

* Full report in Stock Journal, September 11, 2014 issue.