Waikato's Young Farmer of the Year, Tim van de Molen is now Australasian Rural Youth Ambassador, beating competitors from throughout Australia to take the title.

This is the first time a Kiwi has won the award in only the second year the competition has been extended across the Tasman.

Bruce Orr President of the Royal Agriculture Society with Tim van de Molen 2012 Australasian Rural Youth Ambassador.

Tim was expecting tough competition against six competitors from Australian states and territories. 'All the finalists have achieved incredible things in their career so far,” says the 29-year-old agribusiness manager for ANZ.

However, Tim was up for the challenge - not only did he win the Waikato regional title in the National Bank Young Farmer Contest by beating seven other district finalists, but he also won the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand (RAS) Rural Young Achiever award.

His win in Australia was announced last week and the co-founder of the Hamilton Young Farmers Club was ‘thrilled and overwhelmed” by the win.

New Zealand Young Farmers Network Manager Sara Russell and one of three judges for the New Zealand Rural Young Achiever award.

'We are over the moon with Tim's win over the Aussies in the Rural Ambassador competition. The Young Rural Achiever Award which selects the New Zealand representative for the Rural Ambassador competition was fiercely contested this year. Tim was a great choice and proved to be the right man for the job.”

Once in Darwin Tim was put to the test in a gruelling process which included an interview with questions on goals, ambitions and community involvement as well as delivering a speech.

The candidates were asked their views on the live export trade and a 'range of questions on industry involvement which was challenging as questions were tailored towards agriculture in Australia; however I had prepared for that.”

Tim says the biggest difference between competing at international level in comparison to the national level was the 'calibre of contestants and the knowledge they have within the industry.”

As part of the prize package he receives a $5000 travel grant to further his agricultural interests and has indicated Canada or the United Kingdom as a place of interest.

While Tim is currently an agri-bank manager, he spent three years as an assistant manager on dairy farms near Morrinsville and Cambridge.