June 10th, 2022$5,000 up for grabs for lucky student
STUDENTS undertaking a course that will benefit Australia’s beef and Hereford industries can apply for a $5,000 cash scholarship to support their study costs.
The annual CM Hocking Scholarship was founded twenty years ago as a legacy bequeath from devout Hereford breeder, ‘Madge’ Hocking, and the 2022 applications will close Sunday, 24 April.
Last year’s successful scholarship recipient, Alicia Trovatello, is now in her fourth year at university studying a Bachelor of Agriculture, with an Agricultural Economics major, and said the scholarship was fundamental to helping her focus on her degree without additional worries.
“The scholarship assisted funding my tuition for my third year of university and allowed me to prioritise my studies and not stress about the financial side. Ms Trovatello said.
“I would strongly encourage eligible students to have a crack at the application as you never know what the outcome will be.
“Even if you haven’t been successful in the past, don’t let that deter you from applying again and use the application process as a learning experience.”
The 21-year-old from Kyneton in Victoria is also working during her studies by providing sales support at Dairy Livestock Services in Melbourne and hopes to pursue a career in livestock extension/adoption or agribusiness once she graduates.
An avid Hereford enthusiast, Alicia works with her father on their stud, Glendan Park Herefords. She is also a Herefords Australia National Youth Committee member and a Young Gun on the Herefords Australia Marketing Committee and said the breed’s enduring quality and performance across the Australian beef sector made it an exciting time to be involved.
“It is a great period for Herefords,” she said.
“Commercial producers are being rewarded for quality Hereford cattle that are docile with great weight for age and will finish on grass or grain.
“Additionally, our Youth program has expanded in the past couple of years and now includes more people advocating for a breed we all love.”
While Alicia has a strong background and experience in the Hereford breed, Herefords Australia Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Sharp, said prior in-depth knowledge wasn’t necessary for scholarship applicants.
“We know there’s many students studying agribusiness or veterinary science who may not have had direct exposure to the Hereford breed at this early stage in their career,” Ms Sharp said.
“So long as they can demonstrate they are aware of the challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry and are undertaking study that has potential to ultimately benefit the Hereford breed, then we welcome their applications.”
*Applications for the CM Hocking Scholarship are open to Australian citizens who are undertaking a course of study that will be applied to the breeding and management of Hereford cattle and/or will be of benefit to the Australian Hereford breed.
More information is available on the Herefords Australia website www.herefordsaustralia.com.au/youth/cm-hocking-scholarship/
