Ag community pays tribute to Elizabeth Boughen

Tributes are flowing following the sudden illness and death of an active young rural ambassador and cattle woman two days before her 23rd birthday.

Twenty-two-year-old Elizabeth Anne Boughen was just two days short of her 23rd birthday when she died in hospital surrounded by her family on Wednesday, January 11.

The Burnett, Toowoomba and wider agricultural community of south eastern Queensland has had an outpouring of grief following the tragic death of a rising young rural ambassador and cattle breeder.

Twenty-two-year-old Elizabeth Anne Boughen was just two days short of her 23rd birthday when she died in hospital surrounded by her family on Wednesday, January 11.

The Queensland Country Life reported Elizabeth had been admitted to hospital in December 2022 with an autoimmune disease and soon developed complications.

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Her sister Emma Boughen said she was a genuine, kind and passionate person.

A staunch advocate of the Queensland agricultural show community, Elizabeth was a well respected and beloved member of the Boonah Show Society.

The Boonah Show Society expressed their grief at losing an “up and coming young show family star,” and said they were saddened by the young role model’s sudden death.

Elizabeth Boughen’s passion for her craft and her cattle was clear.

Most recently, Elizabeth represented the show society as a Rural Ambassador finalist at the 2022 Brisbane Exhibition and was a passionate droughtmaster breeder and judge.

In a Facebook comment, sister Emma said “she was so proud of her involvement with the Boonah Show and cherished her friendships”.

She began her career into showing at the tender age of nine as a steward, following in her family's footsteps.

The experience she gained over years of dedication and passionate cattle raising led her to judge at several regional shows.

The Burnett, Toowoomba and wider agricultural community has had an outpouring of grief at news of the unexpected death of a rising young rural ambassador and cattle breeder.

She became a familiar face on the show circuit and was well respected for her insight and passion. She was working towards becoming a cattle judge at the Ekka, and in 2022 was a state finalist in the Queensland Rural Ambassador quest.

Emma posted:

“My beautiful, curly-haired baby sister, Elizabeth Anne Boughen, passed away yesterday Wed 11 Jan after a short illness, just two days before her 23rd birthday. She was the purest, most loving soul to ever walk the earth.

“She deserved more time.

“RIP Noodle.”

Elizabeth will be remembered for her gentle encouragement and vibrant enthusiasm. She leaves behind sister Emma, brother Ben, parents Vicki and Noel, and partner Aidan Thomas.

A funeral service will be held at 12noon on January 19 at the Rosewood Uniting Church.

Originally published as Ag community pays tribute to Elizabeth Boughen