Prestigious honour for Wee Waa’s Georgie Haire

Wee Waa’s Georgie Haire is one of eight young leaders from across NSW who has been celebrated as a 2025 finalist of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s prestigious RAS Rural Achiever Award.

After completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2020, Georgie moved closer to home to become more involved in her family farm, and in 2023 partnered to open a physiotherapy clinic in Narrabri.

Georgie has completed further studies in women’s health physiotherapy and plans to undertake further studies in rural generalist practice to widen her skillset and help overcome healthcare accessibility barriers for people living in rural and remote communities.

Georgie has always been passionate about agriculture and is starting to take more responsibility in her family’s farming business with share farming.

Georgie has also been involved with the Zone 4 Young Woman movement, striving to empower more young people to return and work in our smaller communities.

The award recognises individuals aged 20-29 who have distinguished themselves as future leaders in Australian agriculture and aims to support their development by offering a unique 8-day leadership program at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show. As part of the RAS Rural Achiever program, finalists will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge across a range of activities, including a public speaking showcase, and participate in various intensive professional development sessions and networking opportunities at Australia’s largest agricultural event.

One finalist will then be selected to represent New South Wales at the National Rural Ambassador Awards, which is set to take place in September 2026 at the Royal Adelaide Show.

The 2025 RAS Rural Achiever finalists are: Tasha Hurley, Condobolin; Jacob Moriarty, Canowindra; Brooke Watts, Molong; Katherine Munn, Albury; Georgina Haire, Wee Waa; James Gilmour, Bukkulla; James Stephens, Gresford; and Roy Elder, Wongarbon.

Rural Achiever Program councillor in charge Yvette McKenzie said the eight finalists chosen have all made outstanding contributions to rural and regional communities across NSW and have identified themselves as the leaders of the future.

“It is always incredibly rewarding to announce our RAS Rural Achiever Award finalists and recognise the impressive individual achievements and contributions these young leaders have made to their communities, and in such a short period of time,” Ms McKenzie said.

“The Rural Achiever and National Rural Ambassador programs play a significant role in arming the next generation of leaders with the skills and connections to help both their professional and personal lives moving forward, and it is a privilege to offer this opportunity to our very deserving 2025 finalists.”

The 2025 RAS Rural Achiever Award finalists will receive a share in $17,000 prize money, a complimentary one-year RAS Membership, official Rural Achiever uniform provided by R.M.Williams and embroidered Akubra and opportunities to represent the RAS of NSW throughout 2025.

“We look forward to welcoming this year’s finalists to the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show for what will be an experience of a lifetime.”