WHEN Justin Matthews heard his name read out as this year’s Marsh Queensland Rural Ambassador, he said he could not quite believe his ears.
Mr Matthews, Manna Hope, Kumbia, said his involvement in the rural industry was something which was fostered from a very young age.
“I’m in a final year animal production extended major at University of Queensland, I had the joy and honour of representing the South Burnett region and my home show society of Nanango at the 2016 awards,” he said.
“I’m very honoured and very humbled to have been awarded the position of Rural Ambassador.”
Mr Matthews said his day-to-day life is exactly what he always wanted as a child growing up in the industry.
“I’m very lucky, I get to manage a dairy herd full-time and maintain a strong connection with the rural industry that way,” he said.
“I also have a great opportunity working with both my local show society and societies throughout Queensland as a volunteer and also as a production crew technician - setting up microphones, lighting, sound - you name it.
“I also get to indulge in one of my favourite hobbies of photography.”
Mr Matthews said his family’s property, which sits on about 120 ha, is enough to keep them “fairly busy”.
“We maintain a commerical Australian Stock Horse breeding facility, we also maintain a small herd of paddock finisher cattle which we prepare for the local market,” he said.
Entering the Rural Ambassador competition was something he said he saw as an opportunity for him to spread his enthusiasm for agriculture.
“One of my big passions in rural agriculture is getting out there and telling your story - putting it on the forefront and making your voice known in the public, getting your message out there and being the one telling your own story,” he said.
The runner-up Rural Ambassador for 2016 was Tobias Worley, Boonah Show Society, West Morton Brisbane Valley Sub-Chamber.
On the night, the People’s Choice award was awarded to Central Highlands’ entrant Brendan Brieffies, Clermont.
The Community Spirit award went to Kaila Ridgway, Cairns Show Society, North Queensland Sub-Chamber.