Rachelle Todd, Makayla Doughty: Newest Apple and Grape young ambassadors aim to support small local businesses

From a former Apple and Grape mascot and an aged care nurse to young ambassadors, these women are gunning to showcase their love and support for the Stanthorpe community.

Two new faces have joined the line-up of young ambassadors for the 2022 Apple and Grape Festival, with both bringing a wealth of experience and community spirit despite their youth.

Rachelle Todd has already been involved with the event for years as the festival mascot, but is now ready to step out of the costume and into the spotlight.

Ms Todd said she’d appeared as both the apple and the grape mascot at events such as the Toowoomba Festival of Flowers and South East Queensland finals of the Australian Busking Championships.

Recently returning to Australia after four years studying in London, Ms Todd said she was looking forward to promoting the district through her fundraising efforts.

“I think it’s an incredible cause, because the money goes back to the festival and the community,” Ms Todd said.

Vincenzo’s owners Shane and Anna Schnitzerling said they were keen to reconnect with and give back to the community by supporting Ms Todd’s campaign for young ambassador.

“Rachelle’s very passionate about the festival and that was a deciding factor in taking it on,” Mrs Schnitzerling said.

Mrs Schnitzerling also said she wanted to support local businesses and reinvigorate the community spirit of the festival through fundraising events to use local produce wherever possible.

Apple and Grape Festival president Russell Wantling said the Schnitzerlings to taking on a sponsorship role after recently reopening the iconic Vincenzo’s was a real credit to their support for the community.

Stanthorpe Mechanical and Wrecking owners and sponsors Jamie and Mandy Marsh with young ambassador Makayla Doughty and president Russell Wantling.

Ms Todd is joined in the young ambassador race is Makayla Doughty, who said she hoped the role would help her to learn more about the people in her community.

“I’m also looking forward to having fun alongside the other young ambassadors,” Ms Doughty said.

“I’ve never been involved with the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival before, but it’s something that I’ve always been interested in doing.”

She is sponsored by Mandy and Jamie Marsh from Stanthorpe Mechanical and Wrecking.

Mrs Marsh said her business stepped forward as a first-time sponsor of the competition to help the festival and other small businesses through a difficult time.

“I think the festival will give local businesses a bit of support. It’s been a hard year and this is something good to do for the community,” she said.

Mr Wantling said having the Marsh family put their hand up as a first-time sponsor highlighted their community spirit.

“It just goes to show, that no matter what might get thrown at the business community, businesses like Stanthorpe Mechanical and Wrecking continue to show up when asked,” he said.

“They truly do epitomise the heart and soul that make us such a unique community.”

The two women add to the growing list of young ambassadors with Kelsey McKibbin, Laura Robertson, Jordan Cassidy, Jasmin Ball-Mandavy, Karma O’Reilly and Amy Colyer already putting their hands up.

Judges will crown a young ambassador winner at the 2022 Apple and Grape Festival.