Among the recipients are students from Tongala and Leitchville.
After receiving a record number of applicants, Gardiner Foundation has awarded an extra scholarship this year.
The 2025 Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholars are: Chris Dwyer, Newry (Bill Pyle scholarship); Scarlett Southern, Leitchville (Shirley Harlock scholarship); Sage Anderson, Fish Creek (Doug Weir scholarship); Anna Dickson, Garvoc (Jakob Malmo scholarship). The 2025 Niel Black scholars are Shaye Brown, Kongwak; Ryan Smith, Tongala; Georgia Anderson, Denison; and Ella Harwood, Colac.
Each scholar will receive $10,000 annually for three years to support costs associated with their studies.
These scholarships are granted to students accepted into courses that will benefit the Victorian dairy industry or dairy communities.
Scarlett Southern has received the Shirley Harlock Scholarship.
Scarlett grew up on a dairy farm in Leitchville, and attended secondary school at St Joseph’s College in Echuca.
She will study a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and Nutrition Science at Deakin University in Warrnambool/Geelong.
She wants to educate farmers about the importance of nutrition and exercise in their wellbeing and inspire positive change in her community through practical strategies.
Ryan Smith from Tongala is one of the recipients of the Niel Black Scholarship.
Ryan is set to study a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at La Trobe University in Bundoora, with ambitions of becoming a physiotherapist.
Passionate about supporting his local community, he hopes to one day open his own practice to improve access to treatment and educate dairy farmers on injury prevention and safe work practices.
Gardiner Foundation chief executive officer Allan Cameron said the program encourages students to return to Victoria’s dairy regions upon graduation or after gaining work experience. This ensures a diverse range of essential skills within these regions.
“For 25 years, Gardiner Foundation has been committed to building a strong future for Victorian dairy,” he said.
“Our tertiary scholarships empower young people with the skills and knowledge to drive innovation, sustainability, and prosperity in their communities.
“Gardiner is proud to provide students with the opportunity to gain their tertiary qualifications without some of the financial constraints that can often exist for students from the country.”
There is no preferred field of study, with past students enrolling in a variety of courses, including agriculture science, nursing, medicine, engineering, journalism and commerce.
Since the launch of its Tertiary Scholarship Program in 2008, Gardiner Foundation has awarded 90 scholarships with a total investment exceeding $2.1 million.
The scholarships are named in honour of dairy industry stalwarts Niel Black, Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle and Doug Weir.
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