Matthew makes his mark at Rural Youth

Hagley diesel mechanic and agriculture contractor Matthew Wadley is only the fourth person to serve the maximum 15 years as a member of Rural Youth Tasmania in its 76-year history - and it looks like he might even make it 16.

Administrative changes that record membership from the start of the calendar year instead of the financial year means he’ll be able to stay on until his 31th birthday in November, 2017, effectively adding another year to his tenure.

With Rural Youth being such a large part of his life, the quiet young man known to his Rural Youth family as “Waddles” reckons even when he’s timed out he’ll stay connected through the Agfest Committee.

As a director on the Agfest Board he will see out his term which ends in another three years and then he’ll also be eligible to continue on the committee which has no age limit.

“Being a part of Agfest has been one of the best things about Rural Youth,” Matthew said.

“It’s a big volunteer commitment but I find it fun - and I actually like taking on the high pressure roles like traffic management co-ordinator, carpark co-ordinator, operations manager and lifting and loading coordinator.

“I’ve done all of these and a few other jobs and there’s such a huge sense of achievement when you look at how big it is and you realise you’ve been part of the team that pulled it off.”

He can also be found at Quercus Park on any given day lending a hand and putting his diesel mechanic skills to good use ensuring all the machinery is up to scratch.

Last year Matthew was chosen by Rural Youth to travel to Switzerland on an eight-week exchange.

Because his parents own a small farm at Hagley he wanted to go to a place where small-scale farming was the norm and he spent time on an organic dairy farm, a beef farm in the Alps and a mixed farm that raised calves and contracted hay.

He was particularly fascinated with how silage was handled at the dairy - stored loose in a loft above the cows and then simply dropped down a chute into feeders.

At the Rural Youth AGM recently when his 15-year milestone was recognised, he also received the prestigious Graeme Tole President’s Prize which will see him travel to New Zealand next year to the Mystery Creek field days, bringing home new ideas and experiences to share with Rural Youth.

This award celebrates a member who has made a positive and sustained contribution to the organisation through continuous, notable contributions and strong leadership.

Matthew signed up to Hagley Rural Youth when he was 15 because he wanted to reconnect with other farm kids after attending Hagley Farm School but then having to complete school in the city at Prospect High.

“I didn’t have a lot in common with most of my classmates in town - but Rural Youth was a place where I really fitted in,” he said.

“It’s been a great way to meet new people, from the Central Highlands to the North-West Coast to the south and the opportunity to expand my skills and knowledge have been incredible.”

Matthew is currently president of Hagley Rural Youth for the fifth time and helps out with running the dog jumping at various agricultural shows and the Tasmanian Mountain Cattlemen's Association Annual Get Together, as well as organising the club’s key fundraiser, the Rural Rumble concert which is happening again on Saturday, October 24 at Quercus Park, Carrick.

Influenced by his father Andrew’s obsession with farm machinery, trucks, tractors and old cars, Matthew always wanted to be a diesel mechanic, a trade he combined with Wadley Ag - contracting work that mainly involves roadside slashing, hawthorn hedge trimming and carting hay and silage as well as general freight.

Admitting he’s always been quiet and reserved, Matthew credits Rural Youth with encouraging him to step outside his comfort zone and become more confident talking to people and achieving his goals.

“One thing I’ve learned is that whatever you put in you get back in spades,” Matthew said.