Name: Ethan Williams. 

Area of the State where you live: North Motton on the North West coast. 

Agfest Committee title: Mr Chairman. 

Brief description of your Committee role:  The Chairman’s role includes overseeing the Agfest Committee and making sure that everything comes together, while also chairing monthly meetings and working closely with our amazing office team. 

Share a snapshot of your Agfest / Rural Youth history: I first joined Rural Youth in 2011 and my first Agfest was in 2012, volunteering in the east car park. I then realised Agfest and Rural Youth are just one big happy family with countless opportunities and something I wanted to further progress into. 

Why did you decide to join Rural Youth: I was dragged along to my first meeting by a cousin and was welcomed with open arms and from there, I met new mates at every event or meeting and never once looked back. 

What are the key skills you have gained from your involvement in Agfest: I have gained endless skills and licenses along the way, including forklift, traffic management and ATV, but mainly my confidence and public speaking is what I have really gained. 

Describe the most hilarious moment so far of your involvement in the field days: It’s hard to pick just one, but the Friday of 2016 I decided to park all the white cars in one section of the east carpark creating quite a stir! 

Three words that best describe you: Confident,outgoing and positive. 

Share a description of any other jobs / voluntary positions you hold: Car park coordinator, purchasing coordinator, exhibitor manager and vice chairman. Away from Agfest and Rural Youth, I work full time as a butcher at Milos Meats in Ulverstone. I started my apprenticeship in January 2011 and from there I never looked back. It is a very fast paced and busy environment and I love all aspects of my role and the relationships I build with my customers. 

Describe the three activities you love to do on the weekend: Shooting, fishing and a casual beer with mates. 

Favourite movie: Shawshank Redemption, Saving Private Ryan or the Green Mile - I couldn’t pick just one. 

Favourite food: A good home-cooked lamb roast, followed by Mum’s cheesecake. 

Favourite book: For the Love of Life’s Voyage, written by Albert Campbell. 

If you could invite any three people to join you for a dinner party, who would they be: Neil Daniher, Nick Cummins (the Honey Badger) and Justin Langer. 

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be: This is not so much change the world, but let’s sit back and think on the positive side of life rather than look at everything from a negative. Too many people sit back and judge other’s actions rather than stand up and give a helping hand or an opinion so they can better themselves or the project that they are undertaking. Be open to new ideas and change, and then I believe that the world could all work together and prosper.  

Exhibitor Spotlight - Tasweld

Name of Company: Tasweld 

Location of Company: Derwent Park, Invermay and South Burnie.

Two-sentence description of the history, products and / or services provided: Tasweld is a Tasmanian owned and operated business supplying industrial gear, safety equipment, work clothing and footwear to a wide variety of businesses and industries throughout Tasmania. Our wide range of leading brands is also available to retail customers, at very competitive prices, in store, on line or at Agfest. 

Number of years exhibited at Agfest: Over 25 years. 

What three words would you use to describe Agfest: Institutional – Showcase - Value. 

Why do you choose to exhibit at Agfest: It is a great opportunity for us to showcase our brands and suppliers whilst we enjoy the bonding opportunity of the week-long event. Although we sell a lot of product, the branding and PR gained from exhibiting to over 60,000 patrons is invaluable. 

Describe your most memorable Agfest moment: Looking down Main Road as they opened the gates on the first day of my first Agfest and watching the flood of people streaming in. 

Describe your planned site for Agfest 2021, focusing on any new products / services / additions to your site: Once again, we plan to bring a selection of quality products from our key suppliers and brands. We will be showcasing new technology in welding equipment and power tools as well as the best-selling safety footwear, work clothing and PPE products. There will be great deals and offers on all products, including super prices on some clearance lines. 

If you could deliver one message to the Rural Youth volunteers that organise Agfest, what would it be: Keep doing your great work in the background to make it as easy as possible for exhibitors and patrons to attend. Agfest is a terrific event on Tasmania’s calendar and would not be possible without the huge effort of Rural Youth volunteers. 

Volunteer Triumph

How proud are we! 
Congratulations to our hard-working Rural Youth member Caitlin Radford for being named the Apprentice of the Year 2020 at Tasmanian training this month. Caitlin is also the President of our North Motton Rural Youth Club and has roles on both the Agfest Committee and Rural Youth Board.
"I'm absolutely stoked,"she said.
"One of my TAFE teachers nominated me and then we had interviews,went to Hobart for the Awards Presentation it was announced!
"It was nice to have not only women but agriculture represented and recognised".
Caitlin has just completed her Certificate III in agriculture, doing an on-farm apprenticeship at her parent's farm, S W Radford Pty Ltd at Moriarty.
A fifth generation farmer herself, Caitlin said her apprenticeship and the diploma of agribusiness she is now studying had only strengthened her love of food production.
"It's in my blood.I've known that for a really long time that's it's what I want to do,"she said.
"It's being outdoors, but it's also so much more than that. You're growing food, and growing for the rest of the country as well."
Caitlin now shares a farm with her 86-year-old grandfather, Reuben, combining his years of experience with her business and scientific studies.

Important upcoming dates:  

• 1 December 2020 – Applications close 
• 31 January 2021 – Site notifications 
• 1 February 2021 – Tickets on sale  

Head to our website below for all the latest updates
The Exhibitor Information Guide and Entry Terms and Conditions are also available here.

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We look forward to seeing you in the paddock in less than 200 days