Young Farmers celebrate in style at inaugural Five Star Awards

Almost 300 young farmers and well-kent faces from amidst the farming fraternity gathered at Ingliston’s new Members Pavilion for the Five Star Awards on Saturday, December 4 – a welcome tonic after almost two years apart.

The evening was a perfect end to a busy weekend which saw around 90 young farmers gather for two days of farm tours, workshops and panel sessions as part of the Agri and Rural Affairs annual conference (see pages 12 and 13).

Read more: SAYFC finalists announced ahead of Five Star Awards evening

The Saturday also marked the final round of competitions for the six finalists going head to head to win Young Farmer of the Year 2021, which saw members battling the elements in a final round of challenges, but it was Avondale’s James Hamilton who was crowned the winner later that evening. Runner-up in the competition went to Daniel Skinner of Garioch JAC and third place went to fellow Avondale member Sarah Whitelaw.

There was a surprise in store for James Hamilton that night, when sponsors ATV Services decided to up the winning prize of 12 months use of a quad bike, to a gift for life.

“Winning the competition on Saturday night , after a day of intense competition, was an incredible feeling,” commented James. “I would like to encourage anyone with an interest to give the competition a go next year, as it isn’t as daunting as you may think. It is a great opportunity to push yourself, as well as test and expand your knowledge, with plenty people always on hand to help in the sections you feel less comfortable with,” he continued. “The huge variation of tasks on the day, combined with the freedom to do as you wish with the farm in the business section, means there is something for everyone. It must also be one of the best supported competitions within SAYFC, mainly down to the incredible support of Royal Bank of Scotland and ATV services, who this year have decided to gift the quad for good. An unbelievable display of generosity, thank you very much.”

During the awards ceremony, there was a treat in store for the young farmers, when videos were shared from club members, cheering on their finalists and sharing why they deserved to win.

The award for Farm Safety Ambassador was won by Shetland’s Aimee Budge, who had travelled over for the whole weekend with seven members of her club.

“I’m so grateful to have won the farm safety ambassador award,” she told The SF. “I was very surprised to see the amazing video that Shetland young farmers made, without me knowing! It really showed the appreciation of the work I do for my club. The farm safety ambassador role has provided me with very good training which I have been able to share with the young farmers across the North. I want to inspire and ensure future generations of young farmers are more safety aware whilst working on their farms and crofts,” she explained. “It’s a great club to be a member of and I’m really proud of everyone. Especially the seven members who made it down to the Agri and Rural Affairs conference. We all had an amazing time meeting like-minded young farmers. Thanks to all involved, we’ll definitely be back next year!”

Aberfeldy young farmer, Jillian Kennedy, was delighted to take home the award for Club Ambassador during the ceremony. She said: “It was a fantastic night from start to finish that also rounded off the Agri and Rural Affairs conference perfectly. I was very grateful to be nominated and had an excellent night on our table with the other nominees and our sponsor Johnston Carmichael,” she continued. “Watching the video created by some of the Aberfeldy club members was really touching, we have a great group of members and it was amazing to hear from them, to hear some highlights, and to have them along for support on the night! It was really special to have two Perthshire district winners on the night as well! If I have been able to play a small part in aiding the club and it’s members to pursue the opportunities available through the young farmers organisation, from club to national level, then I’m happy!”

It was fellow Perthshire district member Mhairi Dalgliesh from Bankfoot JAC who took home the award for SAYFC’s Unsung Hero.

“It was a privilege to win the Unsung Hero Award at SAYFC’s first Five Star Award’s,” she commented. “There are so many people across the SAYFC network who put a huge amount of effort in to making clubs, Districts and the overall organisation the excellent success it is, so I am honoured and delighted to have received this award.”

Forfar JAC picked up the award for Community Engagement on the evening.

“We were absolutely thrilled to receive this award! As a club we are always happy to help the community, it’s important to have a good relationship with the community as in the future it may lead to new members."

SAYFC’s Ritchie Trophy, awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the organisation, was this year won by Sandy Wilkie.

“After more than 50 years of varying degrees of involvement with members of the SAYFC, why have I never learned NOT to underestimate their deviousness,” laughed Sandy? “But that’s what happened at the weekend when they had me totally hoodwinked as they presented me with an Outstanding Achievement accolade at their inaugural ‘Five Star Awards’ at Ingliston! Cream on the cake was that it was presented in the magnificent new Members Pavilion during the first ever public event to be held there! And the icing on that cream, was that the presentation was made by Bill Gray, chairman of RHASS! Thank you, members of SAYFC – it is a huge honour of which I am incredibly proud.”

Past East Kilbride YFC member Joe Cameron paid tribute to Sandy: “Sandy Wilkie is an absolute pillar of the Young Farmers community – despite not quite qualifying for the ‘young’ part anymore!

“Sandy works tirelessly in the background to support many aspects of the society, often making use of his connections and contacts to further the YF mission,” he continued.

"I cannot commend or thank Sandy enough for his contribution and I think that he is a worthy winner of the Ritchie Trophy in recognition of all he has done.”

The awards ceremony was followed by a special auction, expertly conducted by auctioneer Murray Steel with the support of Stephen Taylor – who together entertained the crowd with their boundless energy and enthusiasm.

SAYFC chairman Katie Burns said she was delighted to have welcomed members, sponsors and supporters along to SAYFC’s inaugural Five Star Awards and said it was the perfect opportunity to recognise the amazing achievements of members.

“Now it’s not news to anyone what a strange and difficult two years it’s been, so to get nearly 300 people in a room to celebrate SAYFC was a great boost for the association,” she said.

Read more: Avondale supplies both West YFOTY contenders

“It was a pleasure to be up on stage with Hamish Logan, he put a lot of work into the awards and I think it showed on the evening, a special thanks to him and CEO Penny Montgomerie – the night wouldn’t have went ahead without them.

“My congratulations go out to the winners and finalists of the evening but also to all the nominees prior to Saturday night,” she continued. “It’s great to see so many amazing members and clubs taking full advantage of the opportunities on offer to them in SAYFC and I am incredibly proud of their resilience and ability to adapt, especially over the past two years.”

She concluded by saying that she hopes to see the awards become an annual occurrence and that they will inspire other members to be up on stage celebrating in 2022 and beyond.