Dubbo doctor Jared Lawrence is one of eight finalists vying for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) 2026 Rural Achiever Award (RAA) which will be announced next year at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Dr Lawrence joins Loretta Nicholas from Mount Harris, Joanna Balcombe from Bendick Murrell, Melony Bartlett from Gunnedah, Laura McKillop from Grose Vale, Sam Parish from Forbes, Anna Sutcliffe from Rutherford, and Tara Kennedy from Nyngan as finalists in the 2026 RAA award program.

Held annually since 1989 at Australia’s largest agricultural show, the statewide program celebrates the achievements of young people aged 20-29 years who are excelling in their chosen endeavours and helping to shape the future of rural and regional NSW.

The RAA program consists of an eight-day personal and professional development program that takes young leaders behind the scenes of the iconic event, providing various hands-on opportunities and networking with leaders from across the Australian agriculture industry.

Finalists are judged on their conduct throughout the program, and a winner is selected to represent NSW at the National Rural Ambassador program.

A passion to deliver high-class healthcare to rural patients has driven Dr Lawrence through his university studies and his career as a junior doctor.

Currently completing a two-year internship at Dubbo Base Hospital, Dr Lawrence has been motivated in his choice to go rural by his experiences growing up in Singleton in the Hunter Valley.

“I saw the inequalities in healthcare and the stresses that the farmers are under, and the vast distances they have to travel just to receive basic healthcare,” he told Dubbo Photo News recently.

“It's pretty unfair in a country like Australia, and that's what's motivated me throughout my medicine training, to always look for an opportunity in rural and remote Australia to do my placements,” he explained.

“Now I’ve started my career in a rural area,” he added.

RAS RAA Program Councillor in Charge, Yvette McKenzie, congratulated this year’s finalists, announced late last month, and said the program is a fantastic way for finalists to expand their networks.

“Our RAS RAA finalists represent eight young leaders who are passionate about agriculture, rural and regional NSW, and the agricultural show movement, and who wish to become ambassadors and a voice for our industry,” Ms McKenzie said.

“I look forward to watching this year’s finalists grow and thrive through this experience and have their chance to be at the forefront of Australian agriculture.”