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.
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.
Scholarship recipients
Scarlett Southern, Shirley Harlock Scholarship
Scarlett grew up on a dairy farm in Leitchville, in northern Victoria. 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.
Anna Dickson, Jakob Malmo Scholarship
Anna grew up on a dairy farm in Garvoc, south-west Victoria.
She is off to study a Bachelor of Animal and Vet BioScience at La Trobe in Bundoora, with a passion for bovine nutrition and aspirations to work in animal nutrition or return to run her own dairy farm. She won Junior Champion with her Illawarra Red at International Dairy Week this year.
Sage Anderson, Doug Weir Scholarship
Sage, from Fish Creek in Gippsland, is set to begin a Bachelor of Science at Monash University, with aspirations to pursue veterinary medicine.
After spending her gap year working at Burra Foods, she is passionate about becoming a mixed-practice vet, supporting both companion animals and livestock to strengthen her local dairy community.
Chris Dwyer, Bill Pyle Scholarship
Chris, from Newry in East Gippsland, will study a Bachelor of Engineering at Monash University, inspired by his interest in irrigation infrastructure and cattle underpasses on his family farm.
He is eager to return to East Gippsland once he finishes study, using his skills in engineering and town planning to support and strengthen his local community.
Ryan Smith, Niel Black Scholarship
Ryan, from Tongala in northern Victoria, 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.
Shaye Brown, Niel Black Scholarship
Shaye, who grew up on a dairy farm in Kongwak in South Gippsland, will study a Bachelor of Biomedical and Exercise Science at Victoria University, with hopes of becoming a physiotherapist.
Inspired by her own injury and the challenges of accessing healthcare in regional areas, she is passionate about returning to her community to support and treat the many hard-working dairy farmers in need of care.
Georgia Anderson, Niel Black Scholarship
Georgia, from Denison in Gippsland, plans to complete an Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness and Applied Agronomy at Longerenong Ag College.
With hands-on experience working on a local dairy farm, she plans to further her studies in farm business management and build a career in managing dairy farms, aligning with the growing presence of corporate farming in her region.
Ella Harwood, Niel Black Scholarship
Ella grew up in Irrewarra, near Colac in south-west Victoria.
Having grown up on a farm with a passion for animals, she will spend the next six to seven years studying a Bachelor of Animal Science at Charles Sturt University, with plans to specialise in large animals, specifically dairy and beef cattle, and pursue a career as a vet.
19°C