1 October 2010

3 minute read

Oceania

This annual award, set up and funded by Greenham Tasmania Pty Ltd, has been going since 2003 to help participants to undertake formal study leading to a career in the dairy or beef sectors. It provides $10,000 to the successful applicant to assist them in improving their skills and knowledge of these industries.

The Greenham Tasmania Scholarship is open to people in the 17–45 age bracket who are immediate family, sharefarmers or employees of farmers who supply cattle to the company’s Smithton meat processing plant.

Greenham Tasmania Manager Peter Greenham said the scholarship is aimed at encouraging Tasmanians to better prepare for a rewarding future on the land or in an associated industry.

“We’re an important part of the Tasmanian community and ongoing education of this type is crucial to the future sustainability and development of the dairy and beef industries.

"It is very gratifying to us that our company is able to assist young people in forging careers in the beef and dairy industries. Without the support offered by the scholarship some of these people may not have been able to achieve what they have. Not only would that have been a loss for them personally, but also a loss for agriculture.”

Applicants can use the scholarship to undertake farming-related courses, or studies related to any sector or industry that ultimately benefits the dairy or beef industries.

Past scholarship winners have gone on to increase their knowledge in agribusiness, soil and pasture management and agricultural sciences.

This year’s winner, Sandra Bales from Ringarooma, had just commenced a bachelor of agricultural science degree at the University of Tasmania after working for a number of years in the local dairy industry. She had originally planned on a career in teaching but deferred that degree and instead travelled to Denmark and Canada on a 15 month agricultural exchange.

The experience ignited her passion for agriculture, and the dairy industry in particular. In 2006 she undertook a dairy apprenticeship and then went on to complete a certificate IV in agriculture.

The 2009 winner, Robert Snare from Boat Harbour, is also studying for his Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at the University of Tasmania.

He says that modern Australian farming has changed, from an enterprise based on experience and sharing of experiences among farmers in a local community, to an exact science where the measurement of inputs and outputs, the chemistry of soils and the biology of plants and animals need to be understood.

“For me to continue to find a place in the agricultural industry I need to find out these things through the Bachelor of Agricultural Science course.”

The Greenham Tasmania Scholarship entries will be judged on a range of criteria including:

• How the applicant will use the money to improve their skills and knowledge
• How important the scholarship is for them to be able to realise their ambitions
• Potential benefits to the dairy industry or farm enterprise and Previous academic, industry and/or personal achievements.

The winner will be selected by an independent panel comprising representatives from the Tasmanian farm, community and education sectors.

Applications close on Friday, January 28, 2011.

Tips for applicants, further information and application forms can be downloaded from www.greenham.com.au, by phoning Rivergum Marketing on (03) 5445 6103, or by faxing a request to (03) 5442 5301.

TheCattleSite News Desk