Mackenzie SW rural ambassador

Waroona resident Mackenzie Walmsley won the title of South West Rural Ambassador at the competition held in Collie on Saturday, July 20.

Nominees were interviewed by a panel of three judges on their agricultural knowledge, involvement in their local agricultural society, their ideas for the future of agriculture and various other topics.

Following the interview, a presentation from Ms Walmsley and Rural Ambassador of Warren and Districts Agricultural Society was made.

Working for the Town of Cambridge, Ms Walmsley has a rich agricultural background.

In 2017 she was awarded a scholarship to travel to Toronto where she undertook comparative research into the relationship between Australia and Toronto’s agriculture and planning industries.

Her thesis paper on the importance of rural planning and protection of rural lands for agriculture and food security purposes received “the most significant contribution to the advancement of rural planning” prize.

After graduating from Curtin University with a first class honours bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning last year, Ms Walmsley now works as a planning officer for the Town of Cambridge.

She has been in the town planning industry for three years and has been a steward for the Waroona Agricultural Society for 10 years.

This year Ms Walmsley is taking on the role of the children's' chief hall steward where she has introduced a new science and technology class promoting climate change, water, sustainability and the natural environment.

Ms Walmsley wants to continue educating young people on the importance of agriculture and farming, specifically in relation to food production.

As the representative of the South West, she will now compete for the State title of Rural Ambassador in September at the Royal Show in Perth.