Gardiner Dairy Foundation is offering up to seven tertiary scholarships for students commencing full time study in 2020 in a field which will benefit dairy communities.
Each scholarship is valued at $10,000 per annum for up to three years.
In 2019, Gardiner Foundation was able to increase the number of scholarships awarded from four to seven thanks to a very generous bequest from the late Niel Black.
Gardiner CEO Dr Clive Noble said this meant they were able to provide more opportunities to students from rural communities.
"Young people in regional areas often have to move away from home to complete their tertiary education. This puts them at a significant financial disadvantage and can impact on their ability to take up these opportunities," Dr Noble said.
The tertiary scholarship program not only encourages students to return to dairy regions on graduation to contribute their new skills, but also places value on community contribution and personal development.
Students who have received Gardiner Dairy Foundation Tertiary Scholarships in the past have used the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities while studying, which expands their knowledge and skills.
Madi Gallagher, Heyfield, Gippsland, is entering her final year of study after receiving a tertiary scholarship in 2018.
She says the funding has relieved the financial stress of paying rent, allowing her "to concentrate on her classes and other extracurricular agricultural activities".
Another tertiary scholar, Matthew Roache is a dairy farmer from Woolsthorpe, south-west Victoria, who moved to Wagga Wagga to complete his Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Charles Sturt University. Matthew also credits his Gardiner Tertiary Scholarship with giving him greater flexibility.
"It doesn't mean you do nothing, but it means you can focus more on your studies and that will help in the long term," he said.
Matthew's time at university has solidified his thinking in that he wants "to return home and work in dairy agronomy".
Liam Groves, Tatura, northern Victoria, is studying a Bachelor of Civil Engineering.
Liam said the Gardiner Scholarship allowed him to complete an unpaid work placement. The support allowed him to work and complete his studies during the placement.
The scholarship funding has given all students the freedom to explore career pathways and gain extra experience that may not have been possible had a Gardiner Tertiary Scholarship not been available.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Pursuing a field of study that will directly benefit the dairy industry or dairy communities
- Commencing their first year of full-time tertiary study in 2020
- Required to live away from home in order to pursue their chosen course
Applications for must be submitted online by 5pm on Sunday, November 24 2019.
Further information and application forms are available at https://gardinerfoundation.typeform.com/to/LrK1j9
Completed applications must be submitted to scholarships@gardinerfoundation.com.au
