The Gardiner Dairy Foundation has increased the number of tertiary scholarships it awards annually from four to seven.
Three new scholarships in honour of the late Niel Black have been awarded to students in each of the major Victorian dairy regions. The four other scholarships are named in recognition of services to the dairy industry by Shirley Harlock, Jacob Malmo, Bill Pyle and Doug Weir.
Scholarships are awarded to students from Victorian dairy regions who are starting study in 2019.
The 2019 Gardiner Dairy Foundation tertiary scholars are: Carley Einsiedel, Boisdale (Bill Pyle scholarship); Isabella McCluggage, Allansford (Niel Black scholarship); Jasmine McJames-Court, Pound Creek (Shirley Harlock scholarship); Lauren Brewer, Warragul (Doug Weir scholarship); Lauren McIlveen, Camperdown (Jacob Malmo scholarship); Olivia Betts, Granite Rock (Niel Black scholarship); Sharna Hagendoorn, Cohuna (Niel Black scholarship).
Each scholar will receive $10 000 annually over three years to contribute towards costs associated with their studies.
Niel Black left a bequest to the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, part of which will support a tertiary scholar from each Victorian dairy region.
Mr Black was involved in most aspects of the dairy industry. After studying artificial breeding in the US, he became a pioneer of the herd improvement industry. He was a founding partner of DemoDAIRY research centre in Terang and was an advocate and supporter of the United Dairy Farmers of Victoria for more than 50 years.
“Niel always generously shared his knowledge with newcomers and actively supported the development of young people,” Gardiner Dairy Foundation chief executive Clive Noble said.
The Gardiner Dairy Foundation tertiary scholarships are awarded to students who have been accepted into a course that will benefit the Victorian dairy industry or dairy communities.
The program aims to encourage students to return to the dairy industry on graduating and contribute positively through the skills they have gained.
Dr Noble said a diverse range of skills were needed to ensure the Victorian dairy industry and dairy communities were resilient and adaptable.
“Dairy communities need high-level skills in all areas of dairying as well as in essential areas such as health, education and finance. However, there is a huge cost for students associated with relocating to undertake the higher education and training required to develop these skills,” Dr Noble said.
“The tertiary scholarships support the development of young professionals who may not have had the opportunity to pursue higher education and who intend to bring their skills back to a dairy region in the future. They are an important investment in our People and Community Development portfolio.”
Applications for 2020 Tertiary Scholarships will open in August.
For more information, visit http://www.gardinerfoundation.com.au/current-projects-industry/ or email Richard Meredith at richard.meredith@gardinerfoundation.com.au