The 23-year-old is Horsham Agricultural Society president, a member of the Zion Lutheran Church at Vectis, and volunteer at the Noradjuha-Quantong Football and Netball Club.

He accepted a scholarship to the Regional Leadership Skills program and was named Horsham Rural City Council’s young Australian of the year in 2016.  

“Animals were always my passion and it grew from there,” he said.

“I got a bit more responsibility and it’s grown into me now being president – it’s been a good rollercoaster ride.”

Mr Cross said he started volunteering to ensure young people had the same great experiences he had.

“As a child I remember walking into the pavilion at the showground and it was always filled with animals, it’s my biggest memory of the shows,” he said.

“I wanted to take on the Horsham Show to make it bigger and better so people can bring their children and it’s something they remember and it just keeps bringing people back.”

Mr Cross said he was surprised to be nominated for the Tidy Town award. 

“There are a lot of other great young leaders out there throughout Australia,” he said.

“I don’t do what I do for the awards the nomination is just a bonus.

“If young people like myself don’t keep what we have going, then events and groups die.”