Young Regional Leaders Honoured at the 2024 Spirit of Excellence Awards
Media Release
September, 2024
Attendees at the 2024 Spirit of Excellence Awards Dinner
The Agricultural Bureau of South Australia (Ag Bureau) has recognised the outstanding achievements of South Australia’s emerging agricultural leaders at the 2024 Spirit of Excellence Awards Dinner, held on Friday, 20 September, at The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus. The event gathered over 90 industry leaders, guests, and Ag Bureau members to celebrate the innovation, dedication, and passion of the next generation of agriculturalists.
The awards saw a record number of applications this year, reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment of young people to sustainability, community contribution, and personal growth within the agricultural sector. Janette Ridgway, Chair of the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia, highlighted the high calibre of submissions: “The quality of applications this year was outstanding. Each finalist’s application demonstrated a very clear vision and the judging panel had the difficult task of narrowing down the exceptional candidates to just two winners.”
2024 Rural Youth Bursary winner. (L-R) Reuben Pharaoh-Woodlands, Policy Officer – Industry, Strategy & Policy, The Department of Primary Industries & Regions SA, Emily Weir (Winner – Macclesfield) and Janette Ridgway, Chair, The Agricultural Bureau of South Australia.
2024 Rural Youth Bursary Winner: Emily Weir
Emily Weir, an affineur at Section28 Artisan Cheeses in the Adelaide Hills, was awarded the $5,000 2024 Rural Youth Bursary, sponsored by Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA). The bursary is designed to support young people (aged 18-30) working in rural communities by providing opportunities for further education, study tours, or the development of special projects that benefit their local area.
Emily’s path from a pharmaceutical science graduate to a specialist in cheese-making and affinage—a process that enhances the flavour and texture of cheese—demonstrates her passion for food, agriculture, and local craftsmanship. Her contribution to Section28 Artisan Cheeses has been pivotal in growing the business and improving the quality of their award-winning products.
With the bursary, Emily plans to study advanced affinage techniques at Mons Formation in France. She aims to bring back these global best practices to South Australia, hoping to further elevate the Adelaide Hills dairy industry as a leader in artisan cheese production.
“This bursary gives me the opportunity to learn from world leaders in affinage and bring back cutting-edge techniques to South Australia,” Emily said. “I’m excited to help elevate the artisan cheese industry in the Adelaide Hills.”
Ms Ridgway added, “Emily’s commitment to excellence and her passion for supporting the local dairy industry make her a deserving winner. Her pursuit of further knowledge in affinage will not only benefit her career but also the broader artisan food sector in South Australia.”
2024 Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship winner. (L-R) Tim Herrmann - Sustainable Soils, The Department for Environment and Water, Tim Paschke (Winner – Waikerie) and Janette Ridgway, Chair, The Agricultural Bureau of South Australia.
2024 Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Winner: Tim Paschke
Tim Paschke, a 41-year-old farmer from Waikerie in South Australia’s Mallee region, was awarded the 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship, a $10,000 grant funded by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). The scholarship supports South Australian farmers (aged 18-45) in enhancing their skills and promoting sustainable farming practices that benefit both their business and the environment.
On his family’s 4,500-hectare farm, Tim has implemented innovative farming practices such as no-till cropping, stubble retention, and trials aimed at managing dryland salinity. With the scholarship, he plans to travel to Western Australia and other regions to connect with farmers facing similar challenges and to learn new techniques for tackling salinity and improving soil health.
“Being able to connect with other farmers facing the same challenges and learning from their experiences is invaluable,” Tim said. “I’m looking forward to bringing new ideas back to our farm and sharing them with the local farming community.”
Ms Ridgway commended Tim’s dedication, stating, “Tim is a dedicated farmer, and his focus on improving both productivity and sustainability is exactly the mindset we need in agriculture today. His willingness to learn and share knowledge will benefit not only his farm but the wider community.”
Celebrating the Future of South Australian Agriculture
The 2024 Spirit of Excellence Awards are a testament to the dedication of South Australia’s young agriculturalists to continuous learning and community contribution. As Ms Ridgway noted, “This year’s finalists exemplified the future of South Australian agriculture—innovative, dedicated, and deeply connected to their communities.”
The Agricultural Bureau of South Australia congratulates the 2024 winners and finalists and looks forward to the lasting impact their work will have on the agricultural industry and rural communities across the state.
