There are six finalists in Macra’s National Leadership Awards. Each finalist went through a challenging interview process and will now proceed to the final interview stage.

The awards are organised as part of Macra’s leadership training programme. The aim is to provide opportunities for members to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for leadership positions, either in Macra or in other voluntary roles or future occupations.

The national final will take place on Tuesday 10 February in the Irish Farm Centre, Dublin. Last week, we profiled finalists Gemma Goulding, Kieran McEvoy and Michael Moclair. This week, we profile the other three finalists.

Niamh Fagan Ardcath Macra, Meath

Niamh is a post-primary teacher and part-time farmer. She joined Kilcloon Macra Club in 2007 and, since then, has held the positions of secretary and chairperson at club level. She has also been the county young farmer development chairperson, county treasurer and county development officer. She recently transferred to the Ardcath Macra club, where she continues to enjoy all the Macra activities.

During her time as a Macra member, she has fundraised for a number of local charities and represented Meath Macra in Capers and GAA seven-a-side football. She was the Meath representative in Miss Macra in 2012.

In her local community, she has taken part in tea after mass for Know Your Neighbour weekends and has taken part in variety shows and local fundraisers.

Her personal interests include swimming, pottery, cake-decorating, crochet and, of course, farming.

Since joining Macra, she has made lifelong friendships and she has gained the skills and confidence to work on committees and take on leadership roles. She has also gained the confidence to perform on stage in drama productions and Capers events which she would not have had the opportunity to do without Macra. She also enjoys the travelling aspect of Macra na Feirme and she attends all the Macra festivals every year.

Tara Fourie Tullamore/Killeigh Macra, Offaly

Tara moved from South Africa to Ireland in July 2012 and Macra was instantly suggested to her as a way of meeting people around her own age. She went to her first meeting in August and was instantly hooked.

Over the next few months, Tara attended a number of events and participated in a number of county rounds of competitions. By April 2013, she took on the job of Tullamore Macra chairperson and, the following month, she became competitions secretary for the county.

Since then, she has learned a lot and had many highlights.

In 2013, she was a finalist for best new member and also represented Offaly in the Queen of the Land. In 2014, Tullamore Macra made it to the final 12 in the club of the year competition but her biggest highlight so far was being asked to do an article for Irish Country Living about how Macra has changed her life.

Macra has allowed her to grow in so many ways, not the least of which is as a leader. In just over two years, she feels she has achieved so much and she looks forward to the years ahead.

Yvonne Daly Croom Macra, Limerick

Yvonne joined Macra in 2008 and hasn’t looked back since. She is a member of Croom Macra na Feirme and has held many positions at club level, both as chair and president, and at county level as chair, PRO and treasurer.

She is employed by Limerick City and County Council, where she is chair of the sports and social club.

She also worked on the hugely successful 2014 Limerick City of Culture project, organising and volunteering at many events throughout the year.

Since joining Macra, a few highlights for Yvonne include representing Macra internationally on EU study trips (Brussels), the young farmers’ AGM (Cardiff) and the ‘‘Spice Up Your Potential’’ seminar (Strasbourg).

Her greatest Macra moments were delivering Croom Macra Club’s presentation for the Club of the Year final in 2010 and proudly receiving four consecutive gold leadership awards.

Yvonne has represented Limerick at the national finals of indoor soccer, Capers and, most notably, drama where she won best actress and judge’s choice awards.

She is currently an active member of Macra’s Rural Youth Committee and, as part of this role, has organised trips to Lahinch, Manchester and is in the process of organising one to Dingle.

Yvonne is also a proud supporter of Limerick hurling, with high hopes for 2015.