Clare Young Rural Ambassador and childcare worker Ingrid Smith enjoyed a taste of celebrity at Melrose at the weekend after winning a competition to be a guest of Lee Kernaghan.

“I don’t think I have ever won a chook in a raffle… I don’t buy lotto tickets because I know I am not lucky,” Ingrid said.

She entered the Sunday Mail Rock the Mount competition online with a 25-words-or-less question she would ask Lee Kernaghan if she got to meet him.

She was shocked to receive a phone call last Wednesday saying she had won the competition.

“I was totally gob-smacked and no one believed me,” Ingrid said.

The prize included a return ticket on a charter flight for two with Lee Kernaghan to Melrose, VIP passes, accommodation and much more.

Choosing one person to accompany her was a challenge, and she took friend Sam Nicholls from Mintaro.

Before leaving the airport both Lee and Ingrid were interviewed by the Sunday Mail.

They spoke about drought conditions, what the government should be doing on top of drought assistance, water issues and solutions, farm diversity, kick starting youth, and rural suicide and prevention.

“We also discussed his music, his new album and he asked us for some ideas for his new album and what we would write about,” Ingrid said.

Upon arrival at Melrose, the entourage enjoyed a few quiet ales and some fresh Smoky Bay oysters (organised by Ingrid) at the Mt Remarkable Hotel.

During the evening, Ingrid and Sam met county music stars James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffries and Shea Fisher.

“The McClymonts were too busy getting swamped by young men,” Ingrid said.

“We were treated like royalty, had access to all sections backstage and sat stageside for a large part of the night.”

Ingrid said on the return flight, the group discussed the aerial views and the reality of the drought from the air.

The lucky ladies had tee-shirts signed and Lee offered them tickets to his next South Australian gig.

Lee also asked Ingrid and Sam to write a story of the experiences over the weekend.

“We said goodbye and went our separate ways – crash bang we returned to Mintaro and our feet are firmly back on the ground but our heads are still spinning,” Ingrid said.