Next generation makes its mark on Strong Women Leadership awards

Now living and working in Brisbane as an executive assistant for the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Jess’s work as the secretary of the Queensland Council of Agricultural Shows Next Gen committee meant she was in demand in opposite ends of the country at the same time.

Jess said the award that recognises young inspiring leaders, the first time it and two other youth stream awards had been made at a QRRRWN conference following their announcement last year by Communities, Women and Youth Minister Shannon, would put QCAS Next Gen on the map and recognise the work done by young people in keeping shows alive and relevant.

“It was an absolute privilege to win this – I was overwhelmed when the text messages came through,” she said. “All the finalists excel in their field and I wasn’t expecting anything like that.”

Along with Jess, Andrea Crothers, based at Longreach and Charleville’s Jane White were shortlisted for the award.

Jess was especially excited to see Queensland shows recognised throughout the awards program, through herself and Next Gen vice-president Andrea, her mother and Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl coordinator Lorraine Crothers, and the Crack-Up Sisters.

“I hope now to use this award to keep promoting what we do,” she said.

Jess graduated from the Charleville State High School in 2009, and was selected as Charleville’s Rural Ambassador in 2013 where she went on to represent the south west sub-chamber at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka), receiving the people’s choice award.

She graduated from the University of Queensland (Gatton) with a Bachelor of Applied Science last year.

Another young woman with a connection to the beef cattle show scene in Queensland, Carmen Sowden was announced as the QRRRWN Young Woman with Vision at the awards night.

Carmen and her younger sister own and show cattle under their stud name of 5 Star Limousins, based at Kingaroy.

Last year brought outstanding results when a cow shown by the stud, Oakwood Fiddlez, was judged the champion interbreed cow at the Ekka, trumping all other female entries at the largest beef cattle show in Australia.

Added to that were Ekka ribbons for champion school parader, grand champion led steer, champion heavyweight carcase and led steer jackpot. 

Although still a full-time school student, Carmen has an off-farm job as well as working with her cattle, in order to save for a trip to the US, working with some of the greatest in the industry, to further her education in showing.

According to her citation, Carmen believes that showing isn’t about skill but the exhibitor’s mindset, and she wants to educate younger people in the art of showing cattle.

Accepting the award, Carmen said she hoped her story inspired other young women to dream big, so they could also be blessed with success.

Fellow Kingaroy student Jessica McNamara was announced as the QRRRWN Young Woman with a Plan winner, recognising 16-19 year-olds with a clear plan on how to achieve their goals.

As vice-president of her school’s student council, a member of the school Peer Skills Program, an assistant dance teacher, bronze Duke of Edinburgh participant, volunteer with Relay for Life and Blue Care Door Knock Appeal, Jess has little spare time but still plans on taking extra classes via distance education to fulfill her goal of being a teacher.

The #datadrought and illness have impacted her schooling but she believes location isn’t a barrier if a vision is sufficiently clear and strong.

Her main aspiration is to become a part of a local community and make a difference by educating future generations, and she told the awards dinner that QRRRWN was a support mechanism she would definitely use in future to help attain her goals.

QRRRWN past president Georgie Somerset said the future of rural Australia was in good hands.

“I meet passionate articulate young people who choose to live in rural Australia all the time,” she said.