Zanda McDonald Award: 2024 finalists announced
Ten young rural professionals - five from Australia and five from New Zealand - have been selected as finalists for the 2024 Zanda McDonald Award.
The award, which celebrates its 10th anniversary next year, recognises future leaders working in agriculture.
It also provides a prize package centred around tailored mentoring and education.
The awards are named after Zanda McDonald, who was prominent in Australian beef and livestock and worked tirelessly to encourage young people to join the industry.
McDonald died in April 2013 at the age of 41, following a tragic accident on his Queensland cattle property.
Organisers said the finalists were selected for their leadership skills, passion, and the contribution they made within the primary sector.
Award chairman, Shane McManaway, said the judges were elated with the calibre of the latest crop of applicants.
“It’s wonderful that this award has been helping grow future leaders in agriculture for a decade now, providing unique opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from industry mentors who have walked the path.
“Yet again we’ve been blown away by the people who have applied, and it’s encouraging to see the immense talent coming through from the next generation.”
The 10 shortlisted applicants will be interviewed next month, with three finalists selected from each country.
McManaway said judges were eagerly anticipating these interviews.
“We’re thrilled with our shortlist, and looking forward to meeting everyone in person for interviews next month, to get to know them better.”
After this, contestants will head to Queenstown in March 2024 for the Zanda McDonald Award Impact Summit, where an Australian and a New Zealand winner will be crowned at a celebratory evening with industry leaders and award partners.
The winners will each pick up an impressive personal development package, including a fully personalised mentoring trip in both countries by private jet, $10,000 worth of tailored education or further training, media coaching and ongoing networking opportunities.
“It’s wonderful that this award has been helping grow future leaders in agriculture for a decade now, providing unique opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from industry mentors who have walked the path,” McManaway said.
New Zealand finalists
The New Zealand finalists are:
Australian finalists
The Australian finalists are: