Junior Show Ambassador named

By Lachlan Ellis

The Ballarat Agricultural & Pastoral Society (BAPS) has named its Junior Show Ambassador for 2022 – and she’s one of Moorabool’s own.

Seventeen year-old Nellie Mullane lives in Ballan, and said being named as one of the four nominees came as a shock to her, let alone winning the award at the BAPS opening dinner on Thursday 10 November.

“When they read out me name, my heart fell to my stomach, it was so unexpected. I thought the older kids I was up against were going to win easily, because they have more agricultural knowledge than me. But the judges said they were impressed about how I presented, and got a job when I was 14,” Ms Mullane told the Moorabool News.

“I was so excited, and a bit confused – I was certain I wasn’t going to win. Mum never posts on Facebook, but she posted on Facebook about me winning.”

The award recognises involvement in the local community, the agricultural sector, and agricultural shows.

Ms Mullane chalks her win up to her work at Crossroads Trading, which she started at age 14, and her time working at the canteen at the Ballan Football Netball Club.

The next step is the Midland Region finals next year, where Ms Mullane will represent the Ballarat region against Junior Show Ambassadors from areas such as Daylesford, Clunes, and Hepburn.

She says she “one hundred per cent” sees a future for herself in agriculture, hoping to take advantage of Crossroads’ Young Gun Program after finishing Year 12, receiving training from Crossroads’ suppliers such as Gallagher Fencing.

“Hopefully I’ll get some knowledge there, maybe go to university…starting my own business one day is the dream,” she said.