Fire devastation the spark for SW young achiever

Last year’s Waroona-Yarloop blaze scorched particularly close to home for Western Dairy research and extension officer Jess Andony.

The Harvey resident and daughter of first-generation dairy farmers knew many of the area’s farmers who were affected by the fatal bushfire.

As a result, Ms Andony – whose parents’ property was also fire-affected – was instrumental in spearheading recovery efforts for dairy farmers during and following the disaster.

Ms Andony helped farmers obtain material to rebuild damaged fencing and also assisted farmers when applying for grants.

“All of Yarloop, Cookernup and Harvey’s farmers are part of a small community and they all know each other,” Ms Andony said.

“The fire was very close to home for me given our farm had been burnt as well.”

Ms Andony, 24, has been nominated for the agricultural category in the upcoming Western Australian Young Achiever Awards.

Ms Andony, who is also passionate about promoting the dairy industry among youths through the Young Dairy Network, is the second Harvey resident to be nominated for the division.

Former Harvey Agricultural College student Calum Watt is also a nominee for the award which will be announced in Perth on May 12.

Ms Andony said she was overwhelmed to have been nominated.