A desire to have more youth involved in A&P shows led Lana Medder to apply for the John Robins Youth Ambassador Award.
Miss Medder said she had regularly entered in equestrian events at the Southland A&P Show, but decided she would like to be more involved and to give youth a stronger voice on the committee, so she sent in her entry form.
‘‘I’d ridden in it for the past five years. I started horse riding quite late and I’d been a part of other committees.’’
Less than a month later she was on stage being presented with the award by Mr Robins’ wife, Joyce.
Southland A&P Show executive officer Tabitha Hazlett, who is a previous recipient of the award, said Mr Robins was passionate about the A&P show and young people being involved with the show as well as the committee.
She won the award almost 10 years ago and had carried on her efforts, being appointed the 2017 Royal Agricultural Society ambassador, Mrs Hazlett said.
She will travel to Australia later this year to compete against ambassadors from other regions.
‘‘We all have the same values. We’re passionate about community, the agriculture industry and your show,’’ Mrs Hazlett said.
Included in the John Robins Youth Ambassador Award is a trip to the Dubbo A&P Show in Australia later this year.
Miss Medder said she was looking forward to seeing how a show was run across the Ditch, as well as picking up ideas she could bring back to Southland.
‘‘We’ve already got new plans for this year,’’ Miss Medder said.
She hoped to restore the Southland A&P Show to it former popularity.
‘‘Going to it as a little kid, there was hundreds of people. I want to bring it up to that level again . . .It’s a huge privilege being on the show committee and helping out with your part of the show. If we don’t have a committee, the show wouldn’t happen.’’
There was four award recipients who were still involved on the A&P show committee.
‘‘There’s quite a diverse range of experience [on the committee],’’ she said.
Winning the ambassador award had opened her eyes as to how much effort and work it took to organise the show, but it was also great for personal development, Miss Medder said.
‘‘I’d recommend that anyone who is enthusiastic about the A&P show or a section to put their hand up [for the ambassador award]. Even to be on the committee, you learn how the A&P shows are run and meet new people.’’
The Southland A&P Show will be held on March 4. This year’s show will feature the South Island Milking Shorthorn Championship.
