#Strongwomen. "I write about the power of trying, because I want to be okay with failing. I write about generosity because I battle selfishness. I write about joy because I know sorrow. I write about faith because I almost lost mine, and I know what it is to be broken and in need of redemption. I write about gratitude because I am thankful – for all of it." Kristin Armstrong
This week it was Robertson Show where I was fascinated by the ring announcers and the variety of ways that locals could test their fitness
It was a very hot day but this didn’t seem to dampen the community spirit nor the punters with the Famous Robertson Show’s Australian Championship Potato Race the highlight
Two women and 29 men lined up to tackle the Famous Robertson Show’s Australian Championship Potato Race under the beating sun. Matty Hammond from Robertson ran a strong race snatching first place followed by Max Mauger from Robertson in second place and Nigel Scannell from Bowral in third. Source
Then there was the harness races where people replaced horses in front of the sulky
The exhibits in the pavilion where stunning
and once again the Rural Ambassador program was a huge success with Angela Hughes declared the winner. Photo source
Congratulations Ryan you are creating a movement of young people who are role models for youth volunteering
The leadership journey begins with knowing how to lead yourself, then to lead teams and finally to lead systems. I believe Ryan has the capacity to not only lead systems but to drive meaningful change within Australian agriculture. He has the skills to create a movement and also the skills to gather around him the role models, mentors, champions and funding partners that he needs to be successful,” Source
The world is crying out for more youth led organisations and more youth led projects. Our research has shown us a lot more consideration could be being given to how much a young person’s life can change between the ages of 12 to 30.
They transition from education to work, they fall in love, they make decisions about careers or children and whether they can have both.
This year our youth led leadership team trialed holacracy. The person who put their hand up to be convenor suddenly found herself with a not to be missed opportunity to study in London and her PhD studies relocating her to Laos for 12 months. Life is full on when you are young
In talking to Ryan, one of my key interests in asking our wonderful journalist Mandy McKeesick to interview him and his “fan” club was the pivotal role his employer BlueScope is playing in nurturing his leadership journey. If BlueScope see the wisdom in providing Ryan with flexibility, champions and funding through their Community Foundation partnership with WIN4 then surely they too are setting a workplace culture benchmark all organisations can aspire to have.
Watch this space – Ryan has started a conversation in our team and with other people and organisations who want to support young people to be part of the youth leadership co-design process
82% more likely to choose a candidate with volunteering experience and
85% more likely to overlook resume flaws when volunteer work is present.
As the Action4Agriculture team recognise two of our own volunteers ( Emily May and Danielle Fordham) by nominating them for the NSW Government Hidden Treasures Honor Role I am finding myself admiring some other organisations manned by volunteers that I have been working with
This post is a celebration of the work of Ryan McParland who comes from a long line of family volunteers with a shared passion for local agricultural shows.
Ryan played a founding role in his local show society’s ‘youth in ag’ group and is working to replicate and scale the Rural Ambassador model for the South Coast and Tablelands, all while working as a mechanical engineer at BlueScope Steel where he is a highly valued member of the team as this quote from his manager reinforces
Ryan is a gifted engineer who continually seeks improvement, not only in himself but in the people and the systems around him. As a genuine leader, he engenders a spirit of cooperation and engages those he works with, seldom taking the credit that is his due.
Ryan is well known to be a youth leader outside of our company, regularly involving us with him in charitable fund raising, promoting the shows and team building activities that lean heavily on his agricultural life experiences.
Ryan is a role model, who is genuine and is an asset to anyone fortunate to work with him.
Harry Murphy Manager Energy Services Asset Development, Digital, Services and Manufacturing Excellence
Ryan was a 2021 RAS of NSW Rural Achiever and his experience inspired him to kickstart a similar initiative at local shows in his region. Ryan recently invited me to judge the Albion Park Rural Ambassador program that he has been instrumental in founding, with the long term view of seeing it replicated at all NSW shows. These young people come from all walks of life, with a dedication to give back to the communities they are proud of.
I first met the Rural Ambassador finalists, Maddi Calloway, Shaylene Mawbey, Jayda Tisma and Ethan Forsyth a week before the show for their interviews. I was gob smacked. All came well prepared and answered the questions from their hearts with a raw authenticity we don’t see enough of in the 21st century.
Ryan then managed to entice WINNews ( and me to support them) to showcase the ambassadors
Then I got to spend a whole day at the show watching them and their extraordinary volunteer work ethic in action.
I certainly discovered just important volunteers are. Wow so much happens in 12 hours at an agricultural show.
These wonderful pictures from the Wollongong Camera Club share some of the joy and excitement
Its a a family affair with Ryan’s brother Glenn coordinates the animal nursey – bring his farmyard to the show
There are opportunities to milk a cow, real ones and faux ones
There are competitions
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There is sideshow alley and face painting
and show food – chip on a stick. With potatoes in short supply I wasn’t overly surprised to see these sell for $10 each
and those stunt people that thrill the crowds and seem to have no fear. Did I hear correctly this truck cost $400K?
and it all seems to run like clockwork.
There are some important research facts around the value of volunteering for young people.
They bring fresh ideas, they adjust easily, they are naturally inquisitive, and are more likely to discover creative solutions.
Volunteering can have a positive impact on volunteers as well as the people and organisations they help.
From building skills like collaboration and problem solving
they get invaluable life experiences.
Volunteers must put their own needs aside to address the needs of others.
Exposure to meaningful volunteer opportunities as children and young people helps foster lasting empathy and a sense of belonging, qualities necessary in cultivating safe, unified communities.
After shadowing the Albion Park Show rural ambassadors for a week I am in awe of what it takes to draw a record crowd to an event and keep them entertained from 8am until 10pm. A reminder of how important it is that young people like Ethan Forsyth, Madi Calloway, Shay Mawbey and Jayda Tisma put their hands up to carry on the proud tradition of community volunteering that it takes to make it all happen
Congratulations to Madi Calloway who is the 2023 Albion Park Show Rural Ambassador – a truly tough decision. Mega shoutout to Ryan McParland doing an extraordinary job of bringing local youth together. 🙏 BlueScope and #WINTV for investing in NextGen #countryshows#community#youthinag#volunteering#action4agriculture
See the wonderful photos from the Wollongong Camera Club here
