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The future looks bright for Ashley - Burnie Advocate

2011-03-24

A young Burnie woman is going places in agriculture. Yesterday Ashley Hobbins was announced this year's Greenham Tasmania scholarship winner. Miss Hobbins said her feet hardly touched the ground after finding out she'd won the $10,000.

"Without scholarships many young people would not be able to go to uni," she said. "Getting this scholarship, it just makes uni so much easier. It will allow me to concentrate on study rather than having to work all the time."

At Smithton yesterday Governor of Tasmania Peter Underwood presented Miss Hobbins with the cheque. Despite her age, the 20-year-old already has a vast array of experience in the agricultural industry. She is in her second year of an agricultural science degree, soaking up as much knowledge as she can.

"I love it," she said. "This year is a lot better. Last year we were doing a lot of biology, this year we have a lot of agriculture subjects."

Before university she already had a Vet II certificate in Agriculture and ChemCert Australia Level III certificate under her belt. Away from the books, Miss Hobbins had an industry placement at the State Government's Cressy Research and Development Station. Later she participated in the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association's Discover Agriculture program and she travelled to Warwick, Queensland to learn about cattle breeding, mustering and judging.

In 2010 she spent time at GlaxoSmithKline at Latrobe and worked on beef properties, and learned about pasture management. Her family has always managed and lived on farms, giving Miss Hobbins insight into day-to-day operations.

"I really wanted to experience a lot of the different aspects of agriculture. To be able to have a successful property I know you have to be diverse."

Beef cattle is her main interest. In Year 11 she organised a cattle camp for students around the state, which Elders and the TFGA attended.

"The next day we had a mini show," she said.

Miss Hobbins has exhibited Angus, Belted Galloway, Murray Grey and Charolais cattle at agricultural shows.

"I just love the genetics involved in beef cattle, and being able to get better and better with each generation," Miss Hobbins said.

A member of Murray Grey Youth, it was this breed that captured her attention most.

"I love Murray Greys and I'd love to have my own Murray Grey property one day."

Her career goals are firmly set on the agricultural industry.

"My aim is to be an agricultural science teacher in high school. I've always wanted to be a teacher and when I started to get into agriculture I thought 'why not combine them?'."

Miss Hobbins said there were a number of reasons for wanting to become a teacher.

"To inspire kids into an industry where there's so many opportunities. Also I'd like to teach them where their clothes come from and how the food gets to supermarket chains."