General News
18 February, 2021
Locals take out Gardiner Dairy Awards
SEVEN tertiary scholarships have been awarded to Victorian students from dairy heartlands who are commencing their first year of tertiary study in 2021.
SEVEN tertiary scholarships have been awarded to Victorian students from dairy heartlands who are commencing their first year of tertiary study in 2021.
The 2021 Gardiner Dairy Foundation tertiary scholars were:
Grace Billington, Warrnambool (Bill Pyle scholarship);
Toby Fleming, Boorcan (Shirley Harlock scholarship);
Kiara McJames-Court, Pound Creek (Doug Weir scholarship) and,
Rachel Dickson, Garvoc (Jakob Malmo scholarship).
Three scholarships are also awarded each year from the Niel Black bequest, with 2021 Niel Black scholars named:
Stella Harrington, (Barongarook West);
Hamish McDonald, (Colac) and,
Hugh Nicoll (Fish Creek).
Jakob Malmo scholar Rachel Dickson learned the ropes growing up on a dairy farm in Garvoc, which she has already applied to farms in Australia and the UK.
The Emmanuel College graduate plans to study a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University majoring in animal science, which she hopes will assist her in a dairy industry career which involves animal health.
Boorcan’s Toby Fleming received the Shirley Harlock scholarship.
The former Mercy Regional College student plans to study a Bachelor of Agriculture (Technology) at the University of New England.
He hopes his studies will help him build skills to be part of the development of new technologies which are more financially accessible to farmers.
The scholarships are awarded annually to students who have shown a commitment to leadership and personal development, and who intend to return to regional Victoria once they have completed their studies.
Gardiner Dairy Foundation chief executive Dr Clive Nobile said each scholarship recipient will receive $10,000 annually for up to three years to contribute towards costs associated with their studies.
“Rural students face high costs associated with living away from home to undertake higher education and training,” he said.
“These scholarships support the development of young professionals who may not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue higher education.”
The tertiary scholarships program encourages students to return to Victoria’s dairy regions upon graduating, or after gaining further work experience, to ensure a diverse range of essential skills in the regions.
“These scholarships align with the Australian Dairy Plan in encouraging people who have obtained tertiary qualifications to make their careers in the dairy industry and its varied communities,” Dr Noble said.
The annual scholarships are named in recognition of the significant contribution to the dairy industry made by Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle, Doug Weir and Niel Black.
Applications for the 2022 tertiary scholarships will open in September 2021.
For more information visit gardinerfoundation.com.au/ts or email Richard Meredith at richard.meredith@gardinerfoundation.com.au.
