Ravensdown Ambassador of the Year Awards

The Canterbury A&P Association has a long and distinguished history since its inception in 1862 and is justly proud of its promotion of agribusiness and supporting industries. The biggest event in the South Island could not go ahead every year with out the hard work of dozens of Canterbury farmers, some of whom go above and beyond when supporting and promoting the Association and the annual Show. Since 1989, the Ambassador of the Year Award has given the Association the opportunity to honour a farmer or competitor who has been seen to support their ideals and focus.

The 2006 Dakin Ambassador of the Year was awarded to John & Anne Sidey.

A Life Member of the Canterbury A&P Association since the early 1950’s, John helped his father as a young school boy with exhibiting and assisting in any other organising capacity required. He has never missed attending the Show in Canterbury since 1947. One of his earliest memories of attending the Show was not long after World War 2 when the Sidey family’s Glenovis sheep exhibits arrived at the Show by train due to the Army commandeering all the better farm trucks for military use.

John has had nothing but praise for the Show Committee and as a Corriedale Sheep Society member and exhibitor, felt that the breed had has an outstanding relationship with them and that there has never been a problem or request not considered.

Having mainly exhibited male sheep at the Show John’s achievements included eight times Champion Corriedale Ram, 12 times Golden Ribbon Ram Hogget and six times San Pedro Trophy for Best Headed Ram.

This year John has ten entries at the Royal New Zealand Show, among his prizes were Champion and Reserve Champion Ram as well as the Killik Aike Trophy – Corriedale Ram with Best Sire’s Fleece.

John has had a long standing relationship with his local Hawarden A&P Association, the Canterbury A&P Association plus has had representation on the Royal Agricultural Society including on the executive for three years. He was on the United Breed Society as well as being Chairman for three years. John was also represented on the New Zealand Maximum Quarantine Security Committee boards. He also has experience in judging at several Royal Shows in Australia and many Shows around New Zealand and is truly a worthy recipient of the 2006 Dakin Ambassador of the Year Award.

The Judges of the award were:
       Mr R R Anderson  Convenor  
       Mr S E McLean tImmediate Past President Canterbury A&P Association
       Mr M M Hartnell  Senior Vice President Canterbury A&P Association
       Mr K T McIntosh Junior Vice President Canterbury A&P Association

Previous winners of the Exhibitor of the Year Award have been:
2005 Noel & Merlyn Handley (Shearing)
2004 Bill & Francis Gibson (Sheep)
2003 Selwyn & Adrienne Boon (Sheep)     
2002 Alisdair & Paula McIIraith (Sheep)
2001 Bill & Judy Austin, Albury (Beef Cattle)
2000 David & Sarah Wyllie, Ashburton (Sheep)