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Articles and stories about the RAS Foundations and its grant and scholarship recipients

Articles and stories about the RAS Foundations and its  grant and scholarship recipients

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RAS Foundation Media Release

27 Mar 2018

MORE RASF GRANTS SUPPORT REGIONAL NSW COMMUNITIES 28 March 2018 Six bright leaders from regional and rural NSW will share $98,000 in funding via to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RAS Foundation) Community Futures Grant Program. Elizabeth Munn from Leeton, Claire Johnson from Crookwell, Megan Coyle from Walbundrie, Rob Witts from Gunnedah, Katrina Thomas from Condobolin and Naomi Kauter from Gresford will each receive a grant from the RAS Foundation, up to a value of $25,000, to help fund a community project within their local area. RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan, said that although this grant once carried an age limit of 35, it had since been lifted, however the Foundation remains committed to fostering youth leadership and earmarks a portion of the available grant funding each year to projects driven by young people. “The RAS selection panel was impressed with how passionate our current batch of young rural people are in embracing the opportunity to bring their ideas to life through this program,” Ms Logan said. “The program allows young individuals to take on a role of leadership within their community. “Through sales of the Foundation Ag Bag at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the RAS Foundation can champion young Australians as they rise to meet challenges and shape the future of regional and rural NSW,” Cecilia Logan said. Since the RASF Community Futures Grant program began in 2010, more than $700,000 has been invested into rural and regional communities across NSW .   RAS Foundation Community Futures Grants Recipients for 2018 are: Elizabeth Munn - Leeton Partner: Leeton Show Society Project: Young Farmer’s Challenge Trailer Elizabeth Munn’s project will see her build a Young Farmer’s Challenge trailer for use by the communities in her zone so that more shows can compete in this event. The ultimate test of skill and ability, the Young Farmers Challenge gives young people the chance to showcase their expertise in a series of on-farm tasks. This can be anything from animal handling to fencing, driving tractors, putting out fires, first aid, heavy lifting and transport challenges. Elizabeth is very keen to get young people involved at community level and is positive the Leeton Young Farmer’s Challenge Trailer will get well used in the Leeton and surrounding areas.   Claire Johnson - Crookwell Partner: Crookwell AP & H Society Project: New Cattle Shed   Cattle committee member Claire Johnson knows that the new cattle shed she and her committee build will be of great benefit to the Upper Lachlan Shire cattle producing community.  With an increase in entries in the stud cattle competition this new facility will be more than adequate to accommodate these numbers and host a variety of other events throughout the year, bringing further economic benefit to the wider community. Megan Coyle - Walbundrie Partner: Walbundrie Show Society Project: Multi-purpose Equestrian Arena The Walbundrie Show is a popular event within the Walbundrie community and has a very well patronised horse section.  Megan Coyle’s application to improve the facilities for horse events at the showground will see her hardworking group of local volunteers building a purpose-built arena with proper drainage and fencing which can be used for other events outside of Show. Rob Witts - Gunnedah Partner: Gunnedah Show Society Project: Upgrade of Showground Kitchen and Servery Local farmer and Gunnedah Show Society President, Rob Witts, acknowledges that with over 50,000 patrons attending the various events held at Gunnedah Showground the current facilities are far from adequate. Rob and his team of skilled volunteers plan to upgrade the makeshift facilities so that they can better cater for the many events held at the Showground and provide a workable space for those working in the kitchen. Katrina Thomas - Condobolin Partner: Condobolin High School P & C Association Project: CHS Agriculture – Rebuilding to Learn for Tomorrow Condobolin High School agricultural science teacher Katrina Thomas and her fiercely determined colleagues are focused on improving the ageing agricultural facilities at Condobolin High School. Katrina wants to create a positive and safe learning space for students with an all-purpose shed, chicken enclosure, hot house and aquaponics set up. Ultimately Katrina and her students hope to set up two small enterprises, a chicken breeding and vegetable/plant seedling enterprise. Naomi Kauter - Gresford Partner: Gresford District Agricultural Society   Project: Stable Block Restoration The deterioration of the Gresford Showground stable block has meant that the facility is not being used to its full potential. Naomi Kauter plans on changing this by replacing the rafters and roof and installing water tanks to collect water for reuse. Naomi is sure that the new stable block, in conjunction with existing facilities, will attract out of area organisations who wish to host horse related events in Gresford. Naomi has a well-thought-out project plan that will make use of local volunteers on weekends to complete the project over sixteen weeks. The RAS Foundation is a charitable foundation that encourages educational opportunities and helps build strong and sustainable rural and regional communities through a range of targeted community grants and scholarships.   For further information, interview and high-res image requests please contact Roger White Manager, Public Relations M: 0478 092 425 E: rwhite@rasnsw.com.au Read more

RAS of NSW to support Herd of Hope Bondi Beach cattle drive

13 Feb 2018

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is proudly supporting Herd of Hope (HoH) in its unique cattle drive to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation in Australia and is urging other businesses and organisations to join the cause. Herd of Hope plans to muster 40 head of cattle on Bondi Beach on Saturday, March 17, 2018, each animal sponsored by individuals, companies or organisations to the tune of $1000. The RAS will sponsor three of the 40 animals. The cattle will be transported to Bondi then herded into a specially-erected enclosure on the southern end of Bondi Beach at daybreak where dignitaries and guests will gather to support the very important organ donation and transplant causes. At the end of the morning’s activities, the animals will be transported to their new home on a property near Goulburn, NSW. Sadly Australia has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the world at less than 20 donors per million registered and 1500 Australians waiting for a transplant at any given time. One in three organ and tissue recipients is from rural or regional NSW though every transplant is conducted in a tertiary hospital in a major city. “It is important to raise awareness of organ donation and the Herd of Hope charity is doing so in a unique way,” event organiser Lizzie Mazur said today. “Bringing cattle onto Bondi Beach will create conversations about the differences in living in the country to city life, raising the issue of access to health care and mental health services. "Through this event we want all Australians to discuss the positive impact organ and tissue donation has on people's lives. But we also want to highlight that if you live in rural and regional Australia the access to services is often limited. “Through our charity we will help those in rural areas have improved access to mental health support by developing initiatives for both donor families and transplant recipients. It is a very exciting time to make a positive change," Lizzie Mazur said. HoH is working with the Organ and Tissue authority to improve the support services available to donor families. Money raised will assist in establishing specialised grief camps for children affected through organ donation. Undoolya Station has offered its property in the North Territory to run the camps. Murray Wilton, General Manager Agriculture and Sydney Royal Easter Show has confirmed the RAS’ wholehearted support for the Herd of Hope campaign. “We at the RAS are pleased to be able to support Herd of Hope in this very important effort. “Support for rural and regional NSW is very much at the heart of what we are about and when approached by Herd of Hope organisers we were only too happy to be involved,” Murray Wilton said. Sponsorship of HoH cattle is still available via the website; www.herdofhope.com.au Ends Roger White Manager, Public Relations Royal Agricultural Society of NSW P: 02 9704 1453 E: rwhite@rasnsw.com.au Read more

Blue Mountains Man secures inaugural Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship

24 Oct 2017

Aspiring NSW winemaker Tom Colman has been named as the inaugural recipient of the Sydney Royal Wine Assessment scholarship. The scholarship is the result of a partnership between the Sydney Royal Wine Committee and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation, RASF. The aim of the scholarship is to encourage and support young professionals passionate about wine and committed to forging a career in the Australian wine industry. Growing up at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains gave now 26 year old Tom a passion for the outdoors. Despite this being a distance from the established winemaking regions, Tom's passion for agriculture and viticulture spurred him towards a degree in winemaking and viticulture to which he graduated with honours. During his degree he spent his free time working for various winemakers in the Basket Range in the Adelaide Hills, such as James Erskine at Jauma and Alex Schulkin at The Other Right. Since then he has worked for a variety of wineries within America, Spain and north-eastern France. Tom says he is particularly excited by the opportunity to witness and contribute to changing wine styles and consumer education about the Australian wine industry. This has led him to start a small wine project with his father called Frankly Wines which uses fruit fermented in the family garage. "I’ve always dedicated my time and energy into bettering others and helping others achieve their goals," Tom Colman said. "It means a lot to me that this has been seen and that I can take a step back for a minute and focus on improving myself. "I hope to use all this knowledge to make myself a better taster and improve my knowledge on the world of wine. "I hope to do some associate judging in the future or some broader commentary on wine,” Tom said. The Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship, valued at $6000, will see Tom Colman take up a fully paid position at the Australian Wine Research Institute’s Advanced Wine Assessment Course next month in Adelaide.   For further information please contact: Roger White Manager, Public Relations Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) P: 02 9704 1453 | E: rwhite@rasnsw.com.au Read more

RAS Scholarship Applications Closing Soon

1 Sep 2017

Scholarships - they are at the very heart of the not-for-profit Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS). The RAS offers numerous valuable scholarships each year through its charitable arm, the RAS Foundation. Applications close on 30 September 2017 on four of these scholarships. They are; The JB Fairfax Award for Rural and Regional Journalism Sydney Royal Wine Study Scholarship RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship Sydney Royal Dairy Produce Scholarship The JB Fairfax Award for Rural and Regional Journalism is offered to a journalism student who has a passion and desire to report on issues affecting rural and regional communities. It includes a $10,000 scholarship as well as practical work experience in the commercial media and the Sydney Royal Easter Show Media Centre. The JB Fairfax Award for Rural and Regional Journalism was established to encourage quality coverage of rural and regional affairs by Australian journalists. It was created through a donation by Mr John B Fairfax AO and is managed by the RAS Foundation. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation to find out more about the scholarship and to complete the online application form. The Sydney Royal Wine Study Scholarship is a grant designed to reward a tertiary student who is passionate about pursuing a career in the Australian wine industry. A number of past recipients of the Wine Scholarship have gone on to successful careers as winemakers, either at their own wineries of for some of the nation’s leading winemaking names. Applications for the 2018 award can be completed online through the RASF website http://www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/scholarships-and-grants/sydney-royal-wine-study-scholarship/ The RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship is an initiative designed to ensure an increased flow of skilled people to rural and regional NSW communities. Scholarships are awarded to tertiary students based on financial need and desire to play an active part in the future of rural NSW. A record 64 recipients received grants in 2017. Applications for the RASF 2018 Rural Scholarships can be accessed online at http://www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/scholarships-and-grants/ras-rural-scholarships/ The Sydney Royal Dairy Produce Scholarship aims to foster the development of Australia’s next generation of NSW dairy produce industry leaders. As well as a grant towards full-time or part-time study the successful recipient will also have the opportunity to steward at the 2018 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show in February. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit http://www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/scholarships-and-grants/sydney-royal-dairy-produce-scholarship/ to find out more about the scholarship and to complete the online application form. Murray Wilton, General Manager Agriculture & Sydney Royal Easter Show, is pleased to announce that 2018 scholarships will increase, with $6000 granted to full-time students and $3000 for part-time study, up from $5000 and $2500. “The RAS Foundation is aware of the increasing costs for country students and the incredible difference our scholarships can make,” Mr Wilton said. “Moving away from home in order to continue with education is a big decision and one that carries significant and growing costs for students. Hopefully the increase in our scholarship will make a big difference as they pursue higher education,” he said. Applications for the four scholarships detailed above close at 5pm, September 30, 2017. Ends. Visit www.rasf.org.au for more information on the RAS Foundation. For further information please contact: Roger White, Manager, Public Relations p (02) 9704 1453 m 0478 092 425 e rwhite@rasnsw.com.au Read more

Sydney Royal Wine Committee announces new Wine Scholarship

1 Aug 2017

The Sydney Royal Wine Committee, in partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society (of NSW) Foundation has announced a new and exciting industry scholarship opportunity to benefit a young person passionate about the Australian Wine industry. The Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship is the result of the continued success of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show. The successful scholarship recipient will receive a fully paid position at the Australian Wine Research Institute's Advanced Wine Assessment Course (AWAC) taking place in Adelaide from Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd November, 2017. This new scholarship initiative has been made possible through an online auction of excess wine from the previous year’s Sydney Royal Wine Show, with the specific purpose of raising funds to support the Australian Wine industry through grants and scholarships. Chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Committee, Sally Evans, said it made sense to utilize the high-quality excess wine from the show to create career opportunities for young people in the wine industry. “We are delighted to introduce this new scholarship, funded by the sale of surplus wine show stock. It provides us with the opportunity to support the Australian Wine industry through the development of outstanding young industry professionals,” Ms Evans said. “The AWAC course is a world-class programme and we’re thrilled to provide this opportunity to a young person in our local wine industry,” she said. Value of Scholarship: $6,000 Applications Open: 1st August 2017 Applications Close: 17th September 2017 Eligibility Guidelines: Open to applicants 30 years and under. Applicants must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident. Applicants must be employed in the Australian Wine Industry or engaged in study in a related course. Applications can be made online by visiting www.rasnsw.com.au/scholarships For further information, including high resolution images, please contact: Roger White – Manager, Public Relations M: 0478 092 425 | P: 02 9704 1453 | E: rwhite@rasnsw.com.au About the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation: The RAS Foundation is a charitable foundation that encourages educational opportunities and helps build strong and sustainable rural and regional communities through a range of targeted grants and scholarships. Visit www.rasf.org.au for more information on the RAS Foundation. Read more

Applications open for JB Fairfax Award for Rural and Regional Journalism

3 Jul 2017

July 3, 2017 The rich tradition of Australian rural journalism is being celebrated once more through the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation's JB Fairfax Award. Applications have now opened for the 2018 JB Fairfax Award for Rural and Regional Journalism, the scholarship now entering its tenth year. This year there is a new twist to the Award, with the traditional request to write on a subject selected by the RASF replaced with an invitation to write an inspirational piece on a member of rural or regional Australia. RAS Foundation Executive Director Kate Ross says there is no end to the long list of colourful and inspirational characters who have and continue to make up the fabric of rural and regional Australia; “This is a golden opportunity for our journalists of the future to uncover some of the great stories that are out there but have in many cases gone unheralded,” Ms Ross said. This year the JB Fairfax Award scholarship has received a significant boost, with the addition of an internship opportunity with the ABC in Brisbane working on the iconic Landline and Country Hour programs and in the online newsroom. This internship will complement a suite of internships the award winner will have access to, including with Fairfax Agricultural Media’s The Land newspaper and the RAS Media Team at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The JB Fairfax Award also includes a $10,000 cash prize. The most recent winner of the JB Fairfax Award was Singleton’s Elise Pfeiffer, who as part of her $10,000 scholarship, worked with the media team covering the many stories that emerged from the 2017 Sydney Royal Easter Show. Elise, a third year Journalism student at the University of Newcastle, says it was an invaluable learning opportunity and rates it as one of her best life experiences to date; “As a part of the scholarship I travelled down to Sydney to participate in the Sydney Royal Easter Show internship program - a fast paced two-week glimpse into the world of media,” said Elise. “As a third and final year journalism student, the opportunities the internship program offered were unlike any other work placement I could have dreamed of, whether it was being a part of a live television broadcast or assisting in a photoshoot. “Meeting John Fairfax was definitely one of the invaluable and defining moments of my time in Sydney,” Elise said. Applications close 30 September, 2017 with the successful recipient announced early 2018. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation to find out more about the scholarship, the editorial requirements and to complete the online application form. The JB Fairfax Award for Rural Journalism was established to encourage quality coverage of rural and regional affairs by local journalists. It operates through a generous annual donation by Mr John B Fairfax and is managed by the RAS Foundation. For further information, including high resolution images, please contact: Roger White – Manager, Public Relations Royal Agricultural Society of NSW P: (02) 9704 1453| E: rwhite@rasnsw.com.au   About the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation: The RAS Foundation is a charitable foundation that encourages educational opportunities and helps build strong and sustainable rural and regional communities through a range of targeted grants and scholarships. Visit www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/  for more information on the RAS Foundation. Read more

Budding Viticulturist Hannah McKay Awarded 2017 Sydney Royal Wine Scholarship

1 Jun 2017

1 June, 2017 A decision to trade a business career to follow her passion in the Australian wine industry has paid off for Hannah McKay of NSW, with her being awarded the prestigious 2017 Sydney Royal Wine Scholarship. Ms McKay, a part-time Viticulture student studying by distance at Charles Sturt University from her base in Margaret River, Western Australia, will receive $3,500 towards her tertiary studies as well as the opportunity to steward at the 2017 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show this coming July. Sydney Royal Wine Committee Chair, Sally Evans, commended Ms McKay for her inspiring vision of how she plans to be involved in the future success of the Australian wine industry. “It’s wonderful to be able to offer the opportunity of stewarding at the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine show to Ms McKay, who will benefit greatly from the learnings and networks she will receive access to. She not only impressed us with her passion for viticulture but also her desire to play a leading role in encouraging more young women into the wine industry,” Ms Evans said. Employed by iconic winery Vasse Felix, 28 year old Ms McKay has a passion for plants and wine and is focussed on finding ways to combine traditional farming practices, land management techniques and native species in a vineyard setting. “I’m thrilled to be selected for this amazing scholarship and excited about the opportunities it will bring as I work towards my goal of being a leading female viticulturist. The scholarship has encouraged me to further develop my learning in the field and classroom to reveal more sustainable ways of growing wine grapes in Australia,” said Ms McKay. “My wine journey began when I left an office career and started working in vineyards near my family home in the Southern Highlands wine region. I instantly fell in love with the industry and each day I look forward to what I’m going to learn and then implement in the vineyard.” “I am excited to connect with other like-minded people across Australia at the upcoming wine show and will use this scholarship to strengthen the precision and quality of Australian viticulture and wine,” she said. The judging panel was so impressed with the high quality of applications that for the first time in history, a runner up scholarship was awarded. The 2017 runner-up honour has gone to Nicholas Conolly, a Bachelor of Wine Science student at Charles Sturt University. Originally studying local government in Sydney, Mr Conolly’s passion for the wine industry was sparked while on work experience at a winery in Orange. Mr Conolly has since relocated to South Australia where he works for Kirrihill Wines in the Clare Valley. The Sydney Royal Wine Scholarship honours the memory and contribution of Graham Thorp, Chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Committee from 1984 – 1990. RAS Foundation Executive Officer, Kate Ross, said the scholarship offers a welcome financial boost to our next generation of wine industry leaders as they strive to excel in their chosen careers. “The fact that our two 2017 scholarship recipients have chosen to relocate far from home and undertake distance studies while working in the wine industry shows a real commitment,” Ms Ross said. In 2018 the scholarship will increase to $6,000 for full time study or $3,000 towards part time study. Applications for the 2018 award open on 1 August 2017 and can be completed online through the RASF website http://www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/scholarships-and-grants/sydney-royal-wine-scholarship/ <Ends> For further information, including high resolution images, please contact: Roger White – Manager, Public Relations M: 0478 092 425 | P: (02) 9704 1453 | E: rwhite@rasnsw.com.au About the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation: The RAS Foundation is a charitable foundation that encourages educational opportunities and helps build strong and sustainable rural and regional communities through a range of targeted grants and scholarships. Visit www.rasf.org.au for more information on the RAS Foundation. Read more

COMMUNITIES BACK IN THE KITCHEN THANKS TO FOUNDATION

16 Apr 2017

Thousands of people will enjoy cooking demonstrations at the 2017 Sydney Royal Easter Show but none will be more excited than the town of Boggabri which will receive a cash prize and a full range of state-of-the-art Euromaid appliances used in The Australian Women's Weekly Theatre Kitchen. Read more
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