Accessibility advocate Abbey Underwood was crowned 2021 Barossa Young Ambassador at a cocktail reception at Seppeltsfield recently, as part of the Barossa Vintage Festival. Along with the prestigious title and the role of promoting the Barossa over the next two years, Abbey received a $2500 RAA travel voucher.
Underwood’s genuine passion and desire to create inclusive and accessible playgrounds in the Barossa was what won her the award.
The Barossa Young Ambassador project identifies and raises the profile of future community leaders, by acknowledging the important role young people play in the community and continuing to grow Barossa’s vibrant wine, food, culture and tourism sectors.
Barossa Vintage Festival Director, Jenny O’Brien acknowledged the strength of the participants in this year’s program and recognised Abbey as a worthy winner of the 2021 award.
“Abbey’s drive, positive and professional manner, integrity, thoughtful personality and love of her community are attributes that encompass what a Young Ambassador of the Barossa is, and all it stands for. Abbey will be an outstanding representative for our region over the next two years and beyond,” shares O’Brien.
“This year’s Young Ambassador group has been outstanding in many ways. Their leadership, drive, enthusiasm, and support for each other has been incredible to watch.”
For Abbey, being named the 2021 Barossa Young Ambassador is an incredible honour.
“The experiences, knowledge and personal growth I have gained throughout this program will stay with me for many years to come,” said Abbey.
“Through the program I was given the greatest gift, to present a project surrounding my passion in life, disability inclusion. My passion project focused on the question ‘what is an inclusive and accessible playground and how would this benefit tourism in the Barossa?’.
“I was humbled by the response I received to this project and thoroughly look forward to take the next steps to make my project come to life. My heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation for the once in a lifetime experience, I have had with the Barossa Young Ambassador program.”
Other award winners at the ceremony include:
2021 Barossa Young Ambassador Program Excellence Award- Rebekah Rosenzweig
Rebekah received the ultimate Barossa adventure including two nights’ accommodation at The Louise with dinner for two at Appellation, a tasting experience at Rockford Wines and Seppeltsfield Road Distillers, a Barossa Helicopters flight and a Barossa Unique Tours Custom Trike tour.
2021 Barossa Young Ambassador Project Prize – Georgia Carter
Georgia received a $250 RAA travel voucher.
The 2021 Barossa Young Ambassador Program is proudly presented by Rockford Wines and supported by Seppeltsfield.
“As Presenting Partner of the Young Ambassador Program, our expectations have been far exceeded by the efforts and achievements of this group of young Barossans,” Holly Bousignac, of Rockford wines commented.
“Their personal projects were original, clever and all offered significant benefit to our region and their work to help pull together and contribute to the Vintage Festival program overall was outstanding. All winners were justly so, and each of the Young Ambassadors has set a very high standard for the next group to follow. I look forward to working with them in the coming years!”
Big congratulations to Abbey and the other winners, we look forward to seeing all the amazing work you will do.
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