Nancy Crawshaw from New Zealand and Deniliquin's Tessa Chartres are this year's Zanda McDonald Award winners.
Australia’s winner of the much-lauded Zanda McDonald Award has praised the impact of being part of the entry process as being a great benefit to her contribution to agriculture.
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Tessa Chartres’ work with Deniliquin-based Murray Irrigation as the general manager of business development has been recognised as a ‘remarkable’ contribution to the agricultural landscape.
The Zanda McDonald Award, now in its 10th year, recognises determined and passionate individuals from Australia and New Zealand aged between 21 and 35 who are ‘making waves’ in the agriculture industry.
The award offers a unique opportunity to learn from successful leaders and peers, network with top-class stakeholders in trans-Tasman agriculture, gain valuable experience through a tailored mentoring program, and grow both personally and professionally.
This year’s New Zealand recipient was Nancy Crawshaw, who works as an extension officer for Angus Australia’s New Zealand enterprise.
Both winners were announced at the annual Impact Summit in Queenstown, NZ, during a special celebratory evening with industry leaders, alumni and award partners.
Despite saying she felt the win was ‘a shock’, Mrs Chartres was quick to highlight the positive impact the award process has had on young leaders in the agriculture sector.
“It feels great,” Mrs Chartres said.
“But I think what I have noticed is that this is something that is so supportive and based on merit, with access to an unsurpassed network of seriously high-achieving industry leaders.
“It is something very hard to come across — it is a very rare opportunity.”
Award chairman Shane McManaway said the judges were impressed with both Mrs Chartres’ and Ms Crawshaw’s achievements to date and the contributions they had already made to the agriculture sector.
“They both embrace the values that hold true to the award, and are extremely worthy recipients,” Mr McManaway said.
“Tessa is smart, driven and collaborative, finding solutions to complex challenges that effect the whole food and fibre supply chain.
“She strives for a balance between agriculture, the environment and her community, and is passionate about their wellbeing, and (is) considerate of all stakeholders impacted by water regulation.”
As part of the prize package, Mrs Chartres will receive a personal development package, including a fully personalised mentoring trip, $10,000 worth of tailored education or further training, media coaching and ongoing networking opportunities.
Mrs Chartres said prospective entrants should ‘absolutely’ get involved.
“Once you’re in the alumni, you keep building on this,” she said.
“It’s a growing network, and all off those guys coming back is testament to that.
“Because it is so diverse a group of people — not just beef for example — but a broader range from across the entire sector, we think outside the box and not just work in silos of each industry, but work for the entire ag sector.
“The challenges the sector is facing are all similar across the industry.
“We are up against the same things.”
Tessa Chartres with her husband Ben and sons Edward and Monty.
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