BYADUK Brangus breeder Geordie Elliott is officially one of the Rising Champions of Australia's beef industry.
The 24-year-old was today named as one of seven young ‘Rising Champions’ from across Australia who will compete for the national title of 2012 NAB Agribusiness Rising Beef Industry Champion later this month.
This year’s state finalists also include Frank Archer from Tasmania, Steph Coombes and Krissie Riley from Western Australia, Sasha Lanyon from South Australia and two Queenslanders, Steve Pocock and John Atkinson.
The finalists will vie for a study scholarship at Marcus Oldham College at Waurn Ponds and the Rising Champion with the greatest leadership potential will attend the Five Nations Beef Congress in Australia next year.
The winner will be announced at the Beef Industry Champions Gala Event at the National Press Club in Canberra, on Wednesday, November 28.
Geordie said he was rapt to be the Victorian finalist.
"To make it this far is incredible.
"Just the opportunity to do it is just great."
Cattle Council president Andrew Ogilvie said the Rising Champions program this year is looking at the art of influencing decision makers and the importance of advocacy for our industry.
The event was made possible by the Cattle Council Rising Beef Industry Champions Initiative, a program established to inspire, empower and support rising leaders in the Australian beef industry.
“The success of this initiative has given the Cattle Council great optimism about the future leaders that we have in our industry.
"Our job now is to retain interest and help them develop the skills and political know-how to influence policy and stand up for their rights as beef producers to assure a profitable future for the next generation,” Mr Ogilvie said.
