MT WALKER resident and 2022 Marburg and West Moreton Brisbane Valley Sub Chamber Rural Ambassador Matthew Petty will compete in the state final of the Rural Ambassador Award at this year’s Brisbane RNA from August 16 to August 21.

This year will mark 20 years of the Queensland Rural Ambassador Awards and to celebrate this milestone a dinner will be held on August 19, where the 2023 Queensland Rural Ambassador winner will be announced.

Matthew will be representing the West Moreton Brisbane Valley Sub Chamber, for Rural Ambassador after winning Rural Ambassador at the 2022 Marburg Show Ball in March 2022 and after being successful at the region final that was held in September 2022 in Boonah.

At the Royal Queensland show, Matthew will join 11 Queensland finalists to take part in tours, farming, meetings with dignitaries and leaders from parliament and other informative sessions.

Now in his 20’s, Matthew has always had a passion for agriculture and he has attended and assisted in numerous local agricultural shows including at Rosewood and Marburg, in particular in the cattle showing and judging sections.

“I attended West Moreton Anglican College to complete my primary and high school years, and have been involved in all things on my family farm in Mount Walker,” he said.

“It is my passion to represent my community, country life and farming and I am so eager to be actively involved in demonstrating and sharing my knowledge and passion in everything to do with agriculture.

“Also, throughout my life, I have faced some struggles, so I know how to engage with other people who may be going through hard times.

“Challenges are a real factor that sometimes farmers face, so being there for others is really important.

“The rural ambassador program is so important as it is a way to share knowledge, to learn new things, to meet likeminded people whilst helping others, it is an honour to be involved.”

Matthew is kept bust on a day to day basis through managing his own business and through the every day running of his family farm.

“I am now the sixth generation on my family farm in Mount Walker, so I have learnt and experienced many things, whilst working with and managing all cattle breeds,” he said.

“Keeping the family tradition strong is something that I am very proud of, my family have been so supportive throughout my journey and I aim to do the farm and my family proud.”

If successful at the Royal Queensland Show, Matthew will then go on to compete in the National Rural Ambassador final, as the 2023 Queensland Rural Ambassador.