With a strong community spirit and a can-do attitude, the 2026 Canungra Show Ambassadors are ready to represent their town, build connections and showcase everything Canungra has to offer.
This year’s ambassador team includes Junior Show Ambassador Ollie Daniels, Senior Show Ambassador Emily Livingston and Rural Ambassador Tamara Jarrett.
Making history
For Ollie Daniels, becoming a Junior Show Ambassador is a chance to give back while building confidence and leadership skills.
“I want to be a positive role model for other kids in the community … and to get more involved as much as I can,” he said.
“I want to meet lots of new people, make some friends around Canungra, learn new leadership skills – just everything I love doing.”
Ollie has made history as the first boy to be named a Junior Show Ambassador, along with Oscar Vinnicombe who was the runner up Junior Show Ambassador.
Canungra Show Ambassador coordinator Julia Schafer said while young men had applied in previous years, Ollie and Oscar stood out.
“This is the first year the judges have gone, ‘These guys are outstanding, and we want them in the Ambassador program’, so that’s exciting,” she said.
A lifelong connection
Rural Ambassador Tamara Jarrett hopes the role will strengthen her ties with the town.
“Canungra has such a beautiful, vibrant community – it’s an honour to be selected for the role,” she said.
“I’m really excited for the learning experience and to be able to advocate and support the Canungra community.”
Although she grew up in Beaudesert, Tamara said Canungra has always been a significant part of her life.
“I spent quite a lot of my childhood there. We would often go to the little park and the café after events, sit right in the middle of Canungra and hang out and see everybody,” she added.
She hopes sharing her experience throughout the year will encourage more young people to step forward and apply.
Tamara will carry out her duties alongside runner-up Rural Ambassador Jessica Holbrock.
Leading by example
Senior Show Ambassador Emily Livingston has admired the ambassador program for years and is eager to help raise its profile.
“I’m really passionate about community awareness and getting our message as far as possible,” she said.
“I want to volunteer in my community and help out where I can.”
After being named Senior Show Ambassador runner-up in 2025, Emily said she gained a new appreciation for the work that goes into staging the annual show.
“It definitely opened my eyes. Looking back, I feel like I was very blind to how a show is run, how a rodeo is run and even how local businesses go about their day,” she added.
“I’ve had so much fun; you just meet so many people, learn so many names and their stories and then you’ve got that contact for the future if it’s ever needed.”
As Senior Show Ambassador, Emily hopes the role will prepare her to one day pursue the Rural Ambassador title.
She also wants to encourage more young people to take part.
“My goal is to make the program as visible and accessible as it can be,” she said.
“I value the opportunity and experience so much and I want everyone in Canungra to know about the program and encourage other young people to apply.”
Growing future leaders
For Julia, watching each ambassador develop over the course of the year is one of the most rewarding aspects of coordinating the initiative.
“We all love being able to mentor and lead these young people on a journey into more knowledge and understanding about the joys and pitfalls of being in agriculture,” she said.
“Seeing them grow in themselves as people and also in their knowledge of the Scenic Rim is terrific.”
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