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RURAL YOUTH PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
There are endless opportunities offered to Rural Youth members in
Tasmania.
Being part of the organisation that delivers the Agfest field days
is both a great privilege and learning experience. As state president
of Rural Youth, it is my honour – alongside my twin brother, Ethan
Williams, as chairman of Agfest – to welcome you to the 39th
Agfest event.
It is truly remarkable how far Agfest has come. The first event in
May 1983 attracted 111 exhibitors and 9000 patrons, compared to
the 2019 event showcasing more than 700 exhibitors and 63,000
patrons.
This journey also represents one of growth and leadership for the
thousands of passionate and hard-working Rural Youth members
aged between 15 and 30 who volunteer each year to organise the
event.
Rural Youth clubs are located in all parts of Tasmania and share a
vision to connect, develop and celebrate young Tasmanians within
their local community. I challenge you to find a better platform to
enable young leaders to contribute to a business that injects more
than $25 million into the Tasmanian economy.
Members are exposed to a vast range of opportunities to
develop skill sets to aid them into the future, whether it be joining
our governing board, the Agfest committee or numerous other
sub-committees.
There is so much to be gained from being part of such a diverse
organisation, from leadership and teamwork to public speaking and
event management.
Rural Youth also offers a comprehensive member benefits
program, including a $250 training subsidy each year, discounts
in stores from our generous sponsors, private health care benefits
and access to our exchange program. Up to three people per year
can travel overseas to experience different ways of living, working
and making lifelong friends.
I was fortunate to have been awarded a study tour to sail on
the Young Endeavour training ship from Esperance in Western
Australia to Adelaide in South Australia for two weeks in 2016. I
learnt to live in a confined space with 23 others, manage the safe
passage of a tall ship and connect with many great people I still
have contact with today!
Rural Youth members have high levels of community spirit
and are active within all our regions, working with local shows and
community groups, and assisting and fundraising for individuals and
groups.
All members are encouraged to not only volunteer at working
bees and Agfest, but also engage in Rural Youth competitions,
such as the annual shooting competition or the widely recognised
Young Farmer of the Year event where the prize pool can be in
excess of $30,000.
If you are aged 15-30, come along to the Rural Youth feature
tent at Agfest at site M88, corner of Main St and Ninth Ave,
to meet me and discuss the life-changing benefits that you can
access through joining Rural Youth.
I sincerely thank and congratulate all Rural Youth members, the
Agfest committee and the State Government for their ongoing
commitment to the organisation and Agfest.
I wish you all a wonderful Agfest 2021 – both in the paddock
and in the cloud.
See you there!
JAKE WILLIAMS
RURAL YOUTH
STATE PRESIDENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Rural Youth Tasmania is committed to our vision, which is to
Connect, Develop and Celebrate young Tasmanians by providing
opportunities for self-development and building lifelong
friendships.
We are also focused on the future development and direction
of Agfest to ensure we continue to deliver economic and social
benefits to the Tasmanian community.
On behalf of all of our members, the State President and Agfest
Chairman wish to thank the Tasmanian Government for its support
of our organisation and event. It is very much appreciated and will
assist us to achieve our goals.
04 AGFEST 2021
