Home Page2007 Greenham Tasmania Scholarship assists beef enthusiast to help the industry
2007-04-08
Growing up on the family farm and developing his own Angus stud in Year 9 has given this year’s winner of the $10,000 Greenham Tasmania Scholarship a real passion for the improvement of the beef industry.
Eighteen year-old Rhys Beattie from Scottsdale was presented with the award by Roger Tyshing, Tasmanian education and training adviser for Rural Skills Australia at a special function in Smithton yesterday.
Rhys grew up on the family’s beef cattle, fat lamb and cropping property and has started a Bachelor of Agriculture degree at the University of Tasmania this year. He says that his main interests are in animal production, pasture management and nutrition.
“I would like to work towards improving my own herd and hope to have a substantial Angus stud, supplying top line genetics to the industry. The end result would be the passing on of my knowledge to help the beef industry prosper through the availability of a wider range of breeding stock.
“Other areas of interest are plant breeding and nutrition and agronomy. I see all these areas as essential for the improvement of the beef industry.”
In presenting the award, Roger Tyshing said that the opportunities provided by the scholarship leads to the sharing of knowledge and fostering of innovation within the industry.
“Whilst the academic capacity of the applicants is important, it is not weighted as highly as their perceived ability to provide long term benefit to the beef and dairy industries. As judges, we are looking for applicants who can provide holistic benefits to the industry in the future.”
The scholarship was established in 2003 to encourage young people to make a commitment to the improvement of the beef and dairy industries through education. It is open each year to people aged 17 to 45 years, who are immediate family members or employees of anyone who has supplied cattle to Greenham Tasmania’s Smithton meat processing plant.
Peter Greenham, managing director of Greenham Tasmania spoke of the importance of encouraging learning in the diary and beef industries in Tasmania.
“It is important to attract young people into the industry for the future growth of the sector. The scholarship is something Greenham proud to offer to assist with future development of the beef and dairy industries in Tasmania.”
Applications were this year assessed by a panel of independent judges including DairyTas executive officer, Mark Smith; Smithton High School assistant principal, Susan Wigg; Rural Skills Australia education and training adviser Roger Tyshing; and farmer and member of TFGA Meat Council, Paul Saward.
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 or beef industries, and how important the scholarship might be in helping the applicant realise their ambitions.