Brothers Mason and Bentley Galpin from Penola achieved a rare feat with both chosen to represent the region at the SE of SA and Border Shows’ presentation dinner, held in Kingston last weekend.
Eighteen-year-old Bentley Galpin, who is having a gap year but plans to study marketing at university in 2019, was announced as one of the Young Rural Ambassador representatives.
A few moments later, Mason, 21, who manages the family’s successful Warrawindi Limousin stud and runs his own Warra-M Border Leicester stud, was recognised for his show and community involvement in the older Rural Ambassador section.
It continues a strong family tradition for the Galpin family with sisters Kimberley and Aimee also representing Penola Show.
Also progressing to the state final was Micaela Lock, who works at Elders Bordertown and is studying a Bachelor of Agriculture through Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
In the Rural Ambassador section the other award recipient was Bordertown primary school teacher Asha Modra, who coordinates the children’s entertainment at the Mundulla Show.
One of the judges, Daniel Ryan, from Lucindale, who was a 2017 Rural Ambassador for the region, said it was very difficult decision with the participants sharing some great ideas.
“We are very happy as a region with the young people we have here,” he said.
He said attending the Royal Adelaide Show last year had been a very valuable experience.
“It makes you realise that the heart and soul of any show organisation is those behind the scenes- those who put up their hands to say ‘I am going to have a go at this’, no matter what the age.”
The Young Rural Ambassador state award, open to 16-19 year-olds, will be judged in Adelaide in July, while the finalists for the Rural Ambassador award will gain a four-day, behind the scenes look at the 2018 Royal Adelaide Show in September, before the state winner is announced.
