Rural champions celebrated

Allied Media business and rural editor Sally Rae (left) and commercial manager Matthew Holdridge (far right) congratulate this year’s Rural Life rural champions Elspeth and Mark Thomson. A community gathering to celebrate the couple’s win was appropriately held at the Otapiri Lora Gorge hall which they helped save.

The Speight’s mobile bar served drinks and Silver Fern Farms cranked up the barbecue as family, friends and those associated with the Thomsons’ various interests celebrated with them. Mr Thomson gave a heartfelt tribute to all who had supported them.