Amelia is halfway through her sixth and final year of Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga and is the daughter of Colin and Amanda of Avenel Merino Stud.
Growing up in the rural community has helped forge her dream of working as a production animal vet in rural Australia once graduated, ideally with a focus on Merino genetics and reproduction that can be implemented on the family stud.
Amelia spoke with Top Sire Magazine last year.
“According to Mum and Dad, I’ve always enjoyed being around animals,” she said.
“Growing up on the family farm led to animals being an intrinsic part of my life, and I can’t picture my life without them.
“From a very young age, my siblings and I were tasked with the job of socialising my grandmother’s kelpie puppies – something that not many other kids can say was a regular occurrence in their life.
“In addition to growing up with animals at my fingertips, I think that from a young age, I understood that our sheep and cattle were how the family derived our livelihood and that, by extension, looking after the sheep and cows meant that everyone was happiest.
“Some of my earliest memories are of my sister and I driving around feeding sheep with Mum and Dad during the early years of the ‘Millennium Drought’.
“I have also been privileged to know many great vets in my short life, one of whom is my uncle, and I guess they have planted the seed from early on that being a vet was something I might like to pursue in the future.”
Amelia has her future plans mapped out.
“Ultimately, I would love to learn how to laparoscopically AI sheep and to work with Merino producers to help further their genetic gains.
“One day, I would like to own my own vet business focusing on production animals, in particular reproduction work.”
Outside of university, she can be found playing AFL for Charles Sturt University, on the tennis court, or on the back of a horse.
The RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship program recognises students who are passionate about giving back to their communities through their chosen career, with the Scholarship providing essential funding to do just that.
RAS Foundation Manager Cecilia Logan said this year’s participants were outstanding ambassadors for rural and regional NSW and commended their commitment to building a better future for their community.
“Pursuing higher education is financially draining, particularly if students have to relocate to an urban area or participate in unpaid university placements, which restricts their ability to work,” shared Ms Logan.
This year, the RAS Foundation has increased its funding of full-time students, with scholarships available up to $7000 or up to $3500 for those studying part-time.
These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of RAS Foundation donors, including Snow Foundation, Quayclean, Sushi Hub and the UNE Foundation.
Over the past 15 years, the RAS Foundation has invested more than $5.4 million into educational scholarships, including specialised scholarships in fields such as regional journalism and the Australian wine industry, supporting over 993 students from across Australia.
Applications for the next round of Rural Scholarships are now open and will close on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The scholarship program is open to students across NSW and the ACT who are currently enrolled or applying for study in an accredited tertiary course at an Australian university, college, or TAFE, with no limits imposed on age or the types of qualifications that qualify.
Aspiring regional and rural journalists and communicators are also encouraged to apply for the RAS Foundation’s JB Fairfax Award for Regional and Rural Journalism and Communications, with applications now open.
For further information, please visit www.rasf.org.au.
~ By Krista Schade, Riverina Grazier
