Agricultural Bureau rewards rural excellence
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
The Agricultural Bureau has celebrated the best of rural South Australia at its annual awa
Guests from around the state attended the Spirit of Agriculture Awards dinner, held last night (13 October) at the Arkaba.
Neville Ferme, chair of the Bureau’s governing body, the Advisory Board of Agriculture, said the awards were a recognition of the talents and potential of young rural South Australians.
“Three of the awards are for young people, supporting them as they learn new skills or conduct research that will contribute to them becoming a valuable part of their industry,” Mr Ferme said.
“As always, we had a very high calibre of applicants in all categories, making it difficult to choose the winners.
“Our finalists come from all over the state and are all inspiring people, doing great things in their communities.”
Formed in 1888, the Agricultural Bureau is one of the state’s oldest farming organisations.
It has more than 70 branches around South Australia and brings together people with an interest in agriculture, farming practice and research.
The Services to Primary Production Award recognises the long-term achievement of a person associated with agriculture, in areas including farming, education, government and the service industries. This year’s award went to Ki Ki teacher Phil Roberts. Phil has taught agriculture at the Coomandook Area School for 22 years and is committed to promoting agricultural education, setting up networks for teachers and encouraging students both at school and in on-farm placements.
The $8000 Peter Olsen Fellowship allows a young farmer aged between 18 and 35 to carry out a special project, do further study or take a study tour. Coonalpyn cattle and sheep breeder Jason Schulz is this year’s winner. Jason has a keen interest in cattle genetics and he and his wife started a new beef cattle stud on the family property last year. The 26-year-old will use his grant for a genetics study tour of the US to further develop the stud.
Awarded for the first time this year, the $5000 Rural Youth Bursary, helps a young person aged between 18 and 30 further his or her career through courses, study tours or special projects. The inaugural winner is 24-year-old Abbey McKenna from Naracoorte. Abbey is a teacher at Naracoorte High’s Independent Learning Centre and plans to use the bursary to travel to Sudan in east Africa to learn how that nation is helping young people who have been affected by personal and social trauma. The bursary was made possible by funds from the Rural Youth Movement, which wound up in 2008.
The $2000 Lois Harris Scholarship is awarded to the first-year student enrolled in the Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Adelaide who has the highest TER. This year’s winner is 19-year-old Jared Schmaal from Saddleworth.
The Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards are sponsored by RSM Bird Cameron, the Advisory Board of Agriculture, PIRSA and The Stock Journal.
