Seven Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholarships are available for Students from Victorian dairy communities who plan to start their tertiary studies in 2024.

Students must pursue a career that will either directly benefit the dairy industry or benefit dairy communities. Each scholarship is worth $10,000 annually and is available for the first three years of a scholar’s University or TAFE course.

The tertiary scholarships are named in recognition of services to the dairy industry by Niel Black, Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle and Doug Weir.

CEO of Gardiner Foundation, Allan Cameron, said investing in rural Victorian students builds the social capital of our dairy communities.

“Gardiner is proud to be able 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,” Mr Cameron said.

“More students from dairy communities obtaining skills and experiences in their chosen field of endeavour will help create thriving and vibrant communities where people want to live, work and invest.”

Students must start their first year of full-time tertiary study in 2024 on campus and need to relocate from home due to study commitments to be eligible to apply. There is no preferred field of study, with past students enrolling in various courses, including agriculture science, nursing, medicine, engineering, journalism and commerce.

Anastasia Rea, a 2022 Niel Black Gardiner Tertiary Scholar, is currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Agribusiness Management at Longerenong Agriculture College.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Gardiner scholarship, so it’s really special,” Anastasia said.

“I’m sure my parents would have helped, but I don’t think I could have afforded to go without the scholarship. It made it a whole lot easier for everybody.”

Successful applicants must demonstrate intended future contributions to the dairy industry and communities and describe their community involvement and academic achievements to date.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm, Monday, November 20, 2023. For more information and to apply, please visit www.gardinerfoundation.com.au/ts.

Please submit completed applications to scholarships@gardinerfoundation.com.au.