Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year 2023 Competition Final

The Woolworths Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year is always a highlight and this year’s competition did not disappoint!

After completing the run offs in mid July the original twenty seven entrants became ten for the finals which were held at Quercus Park in bright sunshine on Saturday.

This year’s winner was Owen Woolley, a self-employed builder and farmer from Moriarty. Owen is a long term member of Rural Youth Tasmania, who has held many roles within the organisation throughout his time, including Agfest Chair in 2018 and 2019.

Owen said “it was a privilege and honour” to win an event he has entered for a number of years. He acknowledged the generous sponsors, thanking everyone present and encouraging others to enter the competition in the future, not only for the opportunity to showcase and extend skills but the fun and camaraderie involved.

During Saturday evenings’ dinner the final five completed a general knowledge quiz in addition to preparing and presenting a two minute speech. Whilst the scores were being tallied and placings finalised Jennifer Robinson (CEO of Sprout Tasmania) provided a valuable overview of the work Sprout has been doing, particularly in the space of supporting young Tasmanians.

Rural Youth Tasmania State President, Brady Robins paid tribute to all involved and made special mention of the small team who worked incredibly hard to develop and deliver a competition that challenged and engaged. In addition to modules which required practical and written skills this year a ‘farmers challenge’ was introduced and livestreamed for the first time.

It was a race to complete a number of tasks, which included carrying hay bales, throwing gum boots and building scarecrows among other things – something a little light-hearted and entertaining to end a day of hard-fought competition. The final five placings:

• First place: Owen Woolley

• Second place: Dylan Bellchambers
• Third place: Chelsea Rayner
• Fourth place: Stuart Cresswell
• Fifth place: Mitchell Grey

Woolworths has been a generous sponsor for many years, Wesley Polden, Riverside Store Manager explained: “We highly value the relationships we have with our Tasmanian farmers and primary producers. Sponsoring Rural Youth’s Young Farmer Competition is a way of showing our support to all the young farmers of Tasmania.

We are very proud to be the naming rights sponsor of such a worthwhile competition”. Rural Youth Tasmania are extremely grateful to all of our wonderful sponsors for supporting