Zanda McDonald Award applications close this Saturday
He says judges look for leadership, interpersonal skills and industry knowledge, but attitude comes first.
|October 29, 2026Listen to the full interview:
Applications for the Zanda McDonald Award close on Saturday 31 October.
Growing Future Farmers chair and Zanda McDonald Award founder Shane McManaway says the award is in its 14th year and has about 60 to 70 alumni.
“Probably the most important thing is their attitude,” he says.
Judges look for leadership, interpersonal skills and knowledge of the industry, and finalists come with positive and open minds. Applications are tracking in line with other years, with the last rush usually on the Friday and Saturday.
Judging starts next week and finalists are brought in for face-to-face interviews. McManaway says the alumni network meets at a summit on the Gold Coast in March, with 130 to 140 people attending.
Watch the full interview:
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