Home Page2007 Greenham Dairy Scholarship assists aspiring engineer to help the industry
2007-04-08
Combining his practical on-farm knowledge with engineering academic theory to improve the many different systems on dairy farms is the ultimate aim of this year’s winner of the $10,000 Greenham Dairy Scholarship.
Twenty-five year-old Ross Lister from Calivil was presented with the award by Federal Trade Minister, the Hon Warren Truss, at a special function in Melbourne yesterday.
Ross grew up on the family dairy farm and is studying for his Bachelor of Engineering degree at the University of Melbourne. He says that his focus is on being able to apply his engineering qualification to design and improve dairying systems to save labour and make them more efficient.
“As a farmer with an engineering qualification, I could apply my sound practical knowledge with academic theory to design and improve on the many systems involved in dairying,” Ross said. “This extends from milk harvesting to feed systems and equipment, cattle care equipment and almost every facet of dairy farming.
“Furthermore a large portion of my study relates to fluid, controlling flow and delivery. Water is the biggest issue facing farming today. I would really like to explore and develop further all possible methods of water delivery, storage and application. Great improvements in efficiencies can be made through effective automation of irrigation.”
In presenting the award, Mr Truss said that there is a need for Australian businesses to continually improve practices to remain competitive. He said that with relatively higher labour costs we need constant improvement through better technology.
“In communities right across regional Australia, where exporter numbers are growing at three times the rate of their metropolitan counterparts, companies like H W Greenham & Sons are helping to build economic health and prosperity,” said Mr Truss. “The presentation of today’s Greenham Dairy Scholarship exemplifies this important contribution.”
The scholarship was launched in 2001 to promote education within the dairy industry, and to encourage people to undertake further studies and make a commitment to the industry. It is open each year to people aged 17 to 45 years, who are immediate family, employees or sharefarmers working with suppliers of cattle to H W Greenham & Sons Tongala meat processing plant. Winners receive financial assistance for study in a dairy-related field of their choice.
Mr Peter Greenham said the Goulburn Valley community is a very important one for the company. “This award is an example of how imperative it is for us to be a good corporate citizen, playing our part in the continuing growth and prosperity of the region.”
Applications were this year assessed by a panel of independent judges including Victorian Farmers Federation chief executive officer, Wayne Harvey; Kyabram Secondary College assistant principal, Helen Walsh; dairy farmer and manager, Dairy Production, National Centre for Dairy Education Australia, Peter Carkeek; and Dairy Australia’s manager for industry relations, John McKew.
Among criteria considered in awarding the scholarship were personal and academic achievements, the potential benefits and relevance of the chosen study area or career path to the Australian dairy industry, and how important the scholarship might be in helping the applicants to realise their ambitions.