City student wins rural award
Tuesday 27 April 2010
City-based student John Swincer is the winner of this year’s Lois Harris Agricultural Bureau scholarship.
The bursary is awarded to the highest Year 12 graduate admitted to the University of Adelaide’s Bachelor of Agricultural Studies with the aim of encouraging and supporting tertiary studies in farming.
Advisory Board of Agriculture chairman Neville Ferme said it was timely to acknowledge the role of non-farm background graduates in the future of agriculture.
“Agricultural studies not only lead to farm-based careers but to a range of other careers along the food chain,” Neville said, presenting the fellowship cheque to 19-year-old John Swincer, of North Plympton.
Despite his urban upbringing, John said he has always been interested in pursuing a career which with animals, in particular farm animals.
The home-schooled student achieved a Year 12 Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) score in the high 90s from the University Senior College at Adelaide Uni.
Despite being a “city slicker,” he has strong ties with the country.
His father grew up on a grazing property on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula and his mother’s parents had land in the Barossa Valley.
“I guess you could say I am a city slicker but I am interested in pursuing a career in private or government agricultural consultancy or research,” John said.
As he grew up, the family of four boys visited their grandparents in the country, and friends on properties, including the Mid North and Victoria.
“So I have an understanding of different farm sizes and what goes on there.”
The scholarship, named in honour of former ABA member, the late Lois Harris, is supported by Primary Industries and Resources SA.
It was presented last week at the April meeting of the ABA, the governing body of Agricultural Bureau of SA.
Photos available from 22 April presentation at SARDI Corporate, Waite Ag Research Institute.
Contact John Swincer on (0424) 047 849 or john.swincer@student.adelaide.edu.au
