Big Thinkers: the 2025 RAS Rural Achiever Award

Tasha Hurley, Condobolin

Tasha is a passionate advocate for rural Australia and agriculture. With a Bachelor in Agricultural Business Management, she worked as a Livestock Marketing & Business Development Officer for 3 years at Forbes Livestock, before joining On The Box as an Agency Representative.

Tasha is deeply involved in her community, serving on multiple committees in Condobolin and Forbes to support local events, businesses, and opportunities. A former Chair of the Royal Agricultural Society Youth Group, she has dedicated her time to advocating for agriculture on both local and national levels.

Tasha is driven to inspire future generations of rural leaders, promote the Australian Agriculture Industry, and ensure ongoing support for farmers and rural communities.

Jacob Moriarty, Canowindra

Jacob discovered a passion for agriculture following high school, and has pursued this through various roles within the farming sector. He is currently completing a Diploma in Agriculture while working as an Assistant Farm Manager in Canowindra. His responsibilities include enhancing soil carbon levels in dryland cropping, and managing livestock in the mixed farming system.

Jacob is an active member of the Canowindra Show Society, and serves as the organiser of the Canowindra Crop Competition. In 2024 Jacob was honoured with the Canowindra Rural Ambassador Award, recognising his enthusiasm for community engagement and agricultural advancement.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Jacob and his wife are dedicated to supporting their infant daughter’s future engagement in rural life – including the training of her pony in preparation for her future in the local pony club.

Brooke Watts, Molong

Brooke is a seasoned professional with deep roots in agriculture, cultivated through her upbringing on her family farm in Molong. Armed with a Bachelor of Business Management, she leverages her wealth of knowledge and passion to ignite innovative conversations in industry.

Recognised for her leadership, Brooke was named a 2024 finalist for Western NSW Outstanding Young Business Leader of the year and a finalist for 2023 Charles Sturt University Young Alumni of the year.

In her passion for inspiring youth initiatives in agriculture and an increased adoption of tech, she has founded The UpGen Project and continues to oversee operations at her family-owned company, Bralca.

Katherine Munn, Albury

Katherine found her passion for agriculture as a young girl, feeding sheep off the back of an old Toyota Landcruiser with her grandfather. Her passion for rural issues was cemented during the 2017-2020 drought.

Having worked in a professional capacity in the agriculture industry for the past 7 years, her love of rural Australia has only grown – learning from the stories of growers from Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory to Ballarat in Victoria.

Katherine’s mission is to champion agriculture across the state through rural and regional communities and agricultural shows. As a long-time committee member of the Moree Show, she is now the youngest President of the Albury Show.

Georgina Haire, Wee Waa

After completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2020, Georgie moved closer to home to become more involved in her family farm, and in 2023 partnered to open a physiotherapy clinic in Narrabri.

Georgie has completed further studies in women’s health physiotherapy and plans to undertake further studies in rural generalist practice, to widen her skillset and help overcome healthcare accessibility barriers for people living in rural and remote communities. Georgie has always been passionate about agriculture, and is starting to take more responsibility in her family’s farming business with share farming.

Georgie has also been involved with the Zone 4 Young Woman movement, striving to empower more young people to return and work in our smaller communities.

James Gilmour, Bukkulla

Growing up in Northern New South Wales, James is deeply passionate about supporting the vitality and sustainability of rural communities. Since 2015, James has participated in Sydney Royal Easter Show Young Judges competitions, where he has gained the experience to mentor young wool classers and other Young Judges, advocating for inclusivity and leadership despite physical challenges.

He has worked closely with farmers and agricultural organisations, particularly through his qualifications as a wool classer and his role as Chief Farm Produce and Junior Judging Steward at the Warialda Show. He currently manages the self-founded White Gold sheep studs and has recently established JAG Santa Gertrudis stud.

James’ most recent achievements include the RAS Next Generation Recognition Award and State Champion Junior Fleece Judge.

James Stephens, Gresford

Originally from Cronulla, James discovered his passion for agriculture early, leading him to pursue a career in the industry. With a Diploma in Agriculture, James established James Stephens Rural Contracting, working across the Dungog Shire managing properties and supporting local farming operations.

Alongside his contracting work, James manages his own herd of beef cattle with plans to expand his operation. James is an active committee member of the Gresford District Agricultural Society, where you’ll find him stewarding in the horse ring to working in the yards during the campdraft. He is always ready to volunteer at community events, fostering community spirit.

Excited for the Rural Achiever Program, James hopes to further enhance his leadership journey, connect with others, and continue to make a meaningful contribution to the agricultural sector.

Roy Elder, Wongarbon

Holding a Master of Construction Project Management and a Bachelor of Architecture and Environments, Roy is a Project Manager delivering infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of Australian grain growers. This includes managing construction of a multi-million-dollar grain silo and railway upgrade at Red Bend and managing the build of a new silo factory at Forbes.

Roy is involved with local tree planting and river clean up initiatives, and in local council recently managed the election campaign of a group which elected three councillors and a new mayor for Dubbo Regional Council to lead the region's development for the next 4 years.

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