2023 Riverine Plains Scholarship recipients show future is bright

06 September 2023, AU: Riverine Plains is pleased to announce that six scholarships have recently been awarded as part of the 2023 Riverine Plains Scholarship Program.

This includes two Alvan Blanch Australia scholarships, the Corteva Agriscience, Hanrahan Family and Uncle Tobys Scholarships, as well the inaugural Riverine Plains Scholarship.

Riverine Plains’ Chair, Fiona Marshall, explained that while each scholarship had a slightly different focus, they were designed to either support students in their agriculture-related studies or encourage talented young people to live and work in the Riverine Plains region.

“Not all people interested in a career in agriculture come from farming backgrounds and we are so excited that Alvan Blanch Australia joined the Riverine Plains Scholarship Program in 2023 to support two students from non-farming backgrounds through their agriculture and engineering studies,” she said.

Alvan Blanch Australia Agriculture Scholarship recipient, Haylee Murrell grew up near Gunnedah, NSW and is studying a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of New England, with a focus on cropping. Haylee doesn’t come from a traditional farming background and is eager to grow her community to meet fellow peers and industry leaders.

Alvan Blanch Australia Engineering Scholarship recipient, Leonard O’Callaghan, is also from a non-farming background. Leonard is studying a Diploma of General Studies at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus and is and is interested in agrotechnology, genetics, climate change research and protein-rich crop development.

Riverine Plains are extremely grateful for the continued support of Corteva Agriscience and Uncle Tobys, whose scholarships are now in their second and third years respectively.

“These scholarships recognise excellence from young people studying an agriculture-related field and both provide an invaluable pathway to future employment though work experience and networking,” said Mrs Marshall.

Corteva Agriscience Scholar, Ava Robertson, is studying a combined Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Agricultural, Resource and Environmental Economics) at the University of Sydney. Ava is interested in targeting inefficiencies within Australian agricultural systems to maximise yields and minimise constraints on finite natural resources.

The 2023 Uncle Tobys Scholarship is oats-focussed, with recipient Kurt Lukies currently studying his final semester of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne. Kurt is majoring in plant and soil science and is looking forward to starting his career in agronomy to assist farmers in growing sustainable and profitable businesses.

The Hanrahan Family Scholarship, now in its fifth year, is especially close to the hearts of many Riverine Plains members. The 2023 recipient is Tiffany Thomas, an agricultural business student at Marcus Oldham College, who grew up on a sheep and cropping property. Before commencing her tertiary studies, Tiffany worked alongside her family and gained a deeper insight into the processes involved in agricultural business management.

Riverine Plains has also awarded the inaugural Riverine Plains Scholarship to Zoe Wilson, a Bachelor of Agriculture student at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus. Zoe comes from a small community in the Victorian Mallee and is interested in using innovative farming practices to address environmental challenges.

“Each of these students have exciting potential as future leaders in our region and we are really pleased to be able to support them through their studies”, said Ms Marshall.

“The $5000 bursary and access to work experience, mentoring and networking opportunities provides each of these students with the opportunity to really focus on their studies, while also growing their networks and experiences.

“We are enormously grateful to Alvan Blanch Australia, Corteva Agriscience, Uncle Tobys and the Hanrahan family for their financial and in-kind support of the 2023 Riverine Plains Scholarship Program, and for the opportunities it presents for students,” concluded Mrs Marshall.

Information about the 2024 Riverine Plains Scholarship Program will be available from early 2024 at www.riverineplains.org.au

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