SAYFC Young Farmers held their second annual ‘Five Star Awards Dinner’ in the RHASS Pavilion, where the hard work and achievements of members from across the country were recognised and rightly celebrated.

The evening was a huge success with Young Farmers, supporters and friends coming from far and wide in appreciation of the efforts of our fantastic list of nominees – hosted by National Chair, Lucy Mitchell and National Competitions Chair, Stephen Taylor.

As Lucy pointed out in her opening speech, 2022 has been a year of rebuilding and growth for the association with numbers rising from the previous year by 40%! Clubs and members have made a strong return to pre-pandemic activities and in many cases making an active effort to become more involved in their local communities, as well as donating their time and their passion to a wide number of charitable works.

The first recipient to be recognised in this year’s Five Star Awards was Sally Mair of Turriff JAC, who took home SGN’s Farm Safety Ambassador Award, awarded to an individual or a group of individuals who are helping to drive real change in farm safety.

“First of all, I would like to thank Aimee Margrove for my nomination. I would like to give a shout out to all the SAYFC Farm safety mentors. We are all hopefully doing our bit to help raise awareness and change perceptions as to why farm safety is so important – it is something I feel we need to raise as much awareness in rural communities as possible," said Sally.

"Statistics are scary and I hope we, as farm safety ambassadors, can help make a difference from grassroot members upwards in order to see the difference within agriculture. I am extremely grateful to receive this award and I hope we can all continue to speak about farm safety and see a positive change within the industry.”

The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Club Ambassador Award for an individual who has shown great leadership and has been a driving force within their club was awarded to Laura McCulloch of Stranraer and Rhins YFC. She quoted: “With young farmers having played a very special part in my life since the age of 14, being recognised for the Club Ambassador award means everything to me!

"I’m lucky to have always had encouragement from my parents, past club members and young farmer friends from my home club at Stranraer and Rhins YFC – and have them to thank for this very thoughtful nomination! I look forward to continuing to promote what I regard as the best rural youth organisation in Scotland, from club, to district to national levels and within schools. I want to inspire future young farmers to enjoy the opportunities that I myself have been lucky enough to experience during my ten years as an SAYFC member.”

Strathearn JAC landed Galbraith’s Community Engagement Award, for a club with active involvement and engagement within the community. Accepting this award on behalf of the club was chairman, Ewan Lambie: “We were delighted to hear that we were, not only a finalist, but also the proud recipients of the Community Engagement award. It was a great honour for our club’s hard work to be recognised through receiving this. A special thank you must go to all those who have contributed to building the current success of the club over the years.”

SAC Consulting’s Unsung Hero Award, which is dedicated to a club member that receives little or no recognition for their contribution to young farmers, was awarded to Michael Rolfe of Lanark YFC.

“Winning SAFYC’s unsung hero award came as a big surprise as the competition was very strong but to actually be called up as the winner was such a brilliant feeling! To get to the awards night itself was a massive achievement for not only me but the club as well, to show how far we have come in a short space of time. Also, without the nomination from club secretary, Keira, none of it would have been possible. Both for the nomination and everything you do for the club we will be forever grateful,” he commented.

RHASS’s Outstanding Contribution, which recognises an individual who has been influential and has significantly contributed to making a visible difference within the SAYFC during their time as a member and lifelong supporter of the association went to Matthew Struthers – a former National SAYFC chair, president and Bell Baxter ADS member. The award was decided by the SAYFC National committee and was previously presented during the Royal Highland Show, in June.

Following the awards, an auction was held and expertly orchestrated by SSS YFC member Murray Steel before the band struck up and attendees danced the night away.

SAYFC would like to thank all those who supported the night and helped to make it one to remember.