NSW Farmers has awarded eight scholarships worth $5000 each to university and TAFE students committed to agriculture and rural communities.
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The scholarships were presented by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell at the NSW Farmers’ Annual Conference in Sydney.
Chair of the scholarship selection panel Sarah Thompson said the scholarships were one of the many benefits available to NSW Farmers’ families and she was pleased to award this year’s scholarships to a group of dedicated students who would play a strong role in agriculture and rural communities across NSW in the future.
She said rural communities were currently demanding a variety of skills and this year’s scholarship recipients were studying a broad range of subjects from medicine to animal science, law and agriculture.
“It is important that NSW Farmers acknowledge the achievement of students across a broad range of subjects and the different ways in which these students are able to contribute to rural communities through their chosen field,” Ms Thompson said.
“Young skilled professionals are important for rural communities and the industries such as agriculture which support them.”
Ms Thompson said NSW Farmers’ scholarship program was one way the association could contribute to succession planning in agriculture and the community.
“For many rural and regional students attending university it means moving away from the family farm and having significant accommodation and travel costs. Our aim is to ease some of the cost burden of these students allowing them to focus more time on their studies and other activities,” she said.
“I congratulate scholarship recipients and look forward to seeing the positive contributions they make to our industry and communities.”
Scholarship recipients:
• Jake Walkom (Blayney): Certificate 4/Diploma in Agriculture – Tocal
• Kayla Kopp (Peak Hill): Animal Science - CSU Wagga
• Laura Martin (Mullaley): Veterinary Science - UQ
• Amelia Mitchell (Cooma): Psychology - Macquarie
• Lachlan Patterson (Gooloogong): Economics/Law - UNE
• Sophie Payten (Canowindra): Medicine - UNSW
• Kate Darley (Boggabri): Optometry - UNSW
• Richard Quigley (Trangie): Agriculture - USYD
