Since the awards were started in 2001, more than 40 agriculture students have benefited from the generosity and foresight of SunRice Group, Rice Research Australia and the RGA.
The Greg Graham Memorial Scholarship provides $10,000 to assist a student with the costs of tertiary education.
It is named in honour of past RGA president Greg Graham of Deniliquin, who died unexpectedly on New Year’s Day in 1983.
The Peter Connor Book Award is awarded to the runner-up of the Greg Graham Memorial Scholarship winner.
It provides a contribution of $3,000 to the cost of books and course materials.
The award is named in honour of Peter Connor, a leading rice grower in the Coleambally area and was a long-standing vice president of the RGA and board member of the Ricegrowers’ Co-operative Limited.
Current RGA president Peter Herrmann highlighted the significance of the scholarships, with the next generation being key to the success and longevity of the Australian rice industry.
“Over the years, majority of the scholarship recipients have returned to our farming communities.
“They bring with them leading edge knowledge which rejuvenates and strengthens our local agricultural industry.”
2022 Greg Graham Memorial Scholarship recipient Tom Hatty, from Tocumwal, is currently studying a double bachelor degree in Agricultural Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
“The scholarship provided significant financial support which meant I was able to give greater focus to my studies,” Mr Hatty said.
Mr Hatty is due to complete his double degree this year and said he is looking forward to developing his career in the agricultural industry.
Tiarna Burke from Jerilderie received the 2022 Peter Connor Book Award which helped alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with university.
To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
• Applicants must be the child/grandchild or nominated employee of: A current financial member of RGA; an A-Class share holder; or a grower who has grown rice in the last three years, including C23.
• Applicants must be in their second or successive year of studying an agricultural focused and/or industry related course at an Australian tertiary institution.
• Applicants need to demonstrate a commitment to the rice industry.
Recipients of the Peter Connor Book Award are eligible to reapply for the GGMS, but previous recipients of the Jan Cathcart Scholarship are ineligible for the GGMS.
Recipients who have previously been awarded a GGMS are ineligible for the Peter Connor Book Award.
To apply, visit www.rga.org.au/the_rice_industry/scholarships.
Applications close at noon on February 10. Interviews will be conducted the week commencing February 14, and the successful applicants announced the following week.
8°C