Alexandra wins Victorian Rural Ambassador

By Sammy Spark

ON SUNDAY, September 25, the Victorian Agricultural Show announced the 2022 Victorian Rural Ambassador. 

Congratulations to 28-year-old Alexandra Pattinson for being awarded this title. 

Alexandra represented Central and South Gippsland and the Foster and District Agricultural Show Society. 

A very deserving winner, Alexandra will now go on to represent Victoria in the National Rural Ambassador competition. 

Alexandra moved to South Gippsland after completing a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree with a research dissertation on maternal behaviour in cattle. 

She currently works for the Agriculture Victoria Department with invasive species, and is a key part of the Foster and District Agricultural Show committee, with a passion for involving youth and championing rural women.

Alexandra was extremely honoured to receive the title of the 2022 Victorian Rural Ambassador. 

As one of 10 state finalists, Alexandra was invited to attend the Melbourne Royal Show. 

She thoroughly enjoyed her time at the show, networking with other show committee members, engaging in workshops on event management and sponsorship, stewarding dog breed classes, competing in the state final for the Young Farmers Challenge, and experiencing all the show had to offer! 

The Rural Ambassador finalists had an interview with judges, and a luncheon presentation, where they had to express their ideas on how to attract more volunteers to their local show. Alexandra made a brilliant speech, highlighting the importance of enthusiasm, transparency and diversity in our local shows. 

She showcased the Foster Show as being a “meeting point for people and ideas, to showcase a region” and reflected on her own experience, that there is “no better way to meet new people than by immersing yourself in a local show”.

A trophy and prize money was awarded to Alexandra for the Victorian Rural Ambassador 2022. 

The Foster community wishes Alexandra the best of luck as she now goes on to compete against other state ambassadors for the National title at the Royal Hobart Show, October 2023. 

Alexandra is most humbly looking forward to her next committee meeting with the Foster and District Agricultural Show Society, where she can continue to help build what will be a fantastic Foster Show on Saturday, February 4, in 2023.