23 February – 3 March 2024
Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival
Apple & Grape Harvest Festival – 2024 Young Ambassadors
2024 Young Ambassadors
Meet our amazing Young Ambassadors for the 2024 Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Festival.
They will be vying for the crown of Festival Ambassador and Fundraising Ambassador.
Sponsored By Granite Belt Growers Association
Breanna Harrison
Sponsored by Rotary
Anna Henderson
Sponsored By Ballandean Hall & Sports Club
Sophie Day
Breanna Harrison is a vibrant 19-year-old who embraces her role as the first Young Ambassador for the 2024 Apple and Grape Harvest Festival with a unique twist – her sponsor group comprises the Granite Belt’s esteemed fruit and vegetable growers.
Raised on a local farm, Breanna has cherished the festival's traditions, and now, she's eagerly giving back.
Although currently tending bar at the ‘Top Pub’, Breanna's passion for agriculture drives her to pursue a Bachelor of Agriculture, which commenced in June. Her love for the rural life was solidified during a gap year as a governess at a remote station in northwestern Queensland. Her heart belongs to wide-open spaces and the outback.
Breanna envisions a future delving into the animal side of agriculture. The Granite Belt Growers Association, her sponsor, aligns seamlessly with her aspirations.
Fundraising is already in motion, with street stalls, a forthcoming long lunch, and a May golf event. Amidst her responsibilities, she takes joy in her mini-dachshund and her involvement in league tag with the Gremlins.
Breanna's journey as a Young Ambassador can be tracked on her Facebook page, "Granite Belt Growers Association Young Ambassador – Breanna Harrison," where she showcases her fundraising efforts.
Anna Henderson's journey as the Young Ambassador for the Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival embodies a unique blend of tradition and family ties. When Anna set her sights on this role, she hoped that Rotary would be her sponsor. With her family deeply ingrained in both Rotary clubs it was a natural choice for Anna and a very easy decision from both clubs to unite.
For Anna, the festival and its fundraising efforts are more than a tradition; they're part of her family legacy. Her mother and aunt contributed to the festival's support in their younger years, with her mother even crowned queen in 1992. Anna's upbringing on the Granite Belt instilled a deep sense of community and connection to the region. Her father, Ian Henderson, is the CEO of Australian Vinegar, while her mother manages finance, export, and sales at Ballandean Estate Wines. Her grandfather, Angelo, is renowned as the face of Ballandean Estate Wines, known for launching the successful fundraiser Opera in the Vineyard, which raised $1.3 million for Brisbane hospitals.
Anna has been involved in the festival's activities from a young age, starting by distributing programs alongside her brother and cousin and gradually taking on more responsibilities. Currently in her third year at the University of Queensland, pursuing a dual degree in mathematics and commerce, Anna aspires to enter the field of data analytics. While her career may take her away from home, her heart remains firmly rooted in her community.
While Sophie Day may be one of the youngest of the three Young Ambassadors at the age of 17, her family's deep-rooted connection to the Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival has paved her path to this role.
Sophie's family legacy in the festival is rich, with two of her aunties being former Southern Belles and her grandfather, Des Day, serving as the festival's president in 1982. The festival has a long-standing association with the Day family and the Ballandean community, making it a natural choice for Sophie to be sponsored by the Ballandean Hall.
Growing up on her family's farm in Ballandean, where grapes, tomatoes, and stone fruit thrive, Sophie gains firsthand knowledge of the district's agricultural aspects. She's looking forward to expanding her understanding of other facets of the region.
In addition to her family's involvement in the farm and the Ballandean Tavern, Sophie is eager to give back to the community where she has lived her whole life. She sees this opportunity as a chance to deepen her connections with locals and hone her public speaking skills.
For Sophie, her Young Ambassador role isn't just a duty; it's a way to carry on the proud tradition of Ballandean Ambassadors and contribute to the festival's vibrant spirit. With her family's support Sophie Day is making a significant impact and ensuring the Ballandean tradition remains alive and thriving.
Young Amabassador Sponsors
Our Young Ambassadors Awards are only possible with the incredible support of the following sponsors
2022 Festival Young Ambassador
CONGRATULATIONS to...
Festival Ambassador: Jordan Cassidy, sponsored by Granite Belt Growers
Fundraising Ambassador: Rachelle Todd, sponsored by Vincenzo's
Ambassador's Choice Recipient (chosen by his peers): Ben Green, sponsored by Stanthorpe Veterinary Care
