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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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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

$96,000 IN GRANTS SUPPORT REGIONAL NSW COMMUNITIES

9 Apr 2017

Five motivated rural leaders are a step closer to achieving their goals of advancing their local communities thanks to a share in $96,000 from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RAS Foundation) Community Futures Grant Program. Read more

The Showbag that gives back

8 Apr 2017

Showgoers have an exciting opportunity to make a difference in country NSW by purchasing an Ag Bag at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the only Showbag where 100 per cent of proceeds directly support rural and regional communities. Read more

Sydney Royal Dairy Produce Scholarship awarded to Elizabeth Tonge

23 Mar 2017

Elizabeth Tonge, a veterinary student from Casino, will help shape the future of the NSW dairy industry as the winner of the 2017 Sydney Royal Dairy Produce Scholarship awarded by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF). The scholarship supports tertiary students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the dairy industry and fosters the development of future NSW agricultural leaders. Ms Tonge received the $5,000 scholarship awarded in partnership with the Sydney Royal Dairy Produce Committee to support her career aspirations in the NSW dairy industry. She is studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and is looking forward to assisting farmers in optimising herd health. “I plan to move back to a rural area at the end of my studies to support dairy farmers in disease management and prevention. I want to help improve the sustainability and profitability of their farms,” the third-year student said. Dairy is the third largest rural industry in Australia valued at more than $13 billion and directly employs around 38,000 people. “The dairy industry is exciting and multi-faceted, offering a lot of educational opportunities. If you’re prepared to jump in it can really take you anywhere,” Ms Tonge said. Growing up on a northern NSW dairy farm ignited the 21-year-old’s passion for the industry and the people in it. Included in the scholarship was the opportunity to steward at the 2017 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show earlier this month where world-class producers benchmarked their product against competitors. “It was an eye-opening opportunity to learn about the end products of milk and the link from farm management to what the consumer receives,” Ms Tonge said. RAS Foundation Executive Officer, Kate Ross, said the calibre of applicants was exceptional and applications were received from students representing a variety of educational pursuits. “Elizabeth came up against some very tough competition but impressed us with her passion for the industry not only at a local level but much more broadly in terms of her overall involvement. "Elizabeth showed us that she really is a future leader who is actively and enthusiastically striving for a career which will contribute to the positive future of our dairy industry,” Ross said. The Sydney Royal Dairy Produce Scholarship is made possible by a donation from Country Valley, a long-time Sydney Royal award-winning producer. 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. Visit rasf.org.au to learn more about the charitable RAS Foundation. Read more

Applications open for JB Fairfax Award for Rural Journalism

1 Jul 2016

The search for the next generation of Australia's rural journalists has begun with applications now open for the 2017 Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation JB Fairfax Award for Rural Journalism. Read more

Diverse range of students to receive RASF Rural Scholarships

22 Jun 2016

Wednesday 22 June, 2016 The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation is proud to announce that 58 students have been awarded a Rural Scholarship in 2016, an initiative designed to ensure an increased flow of skilled people to rural and regional NSW communities. Scholarships are awarded to students based on financial need and desire to live, work and contribute to country NSW, and offer $5,000 for full-time study and $2,500 for part-time study. RAS Foundation Executive Officer, Kate Ross, said this is the most diverse group of students the RAS Foundation has supported since the inception of the program in 2011, and is thrilled the Foundation will again provide a stepping stone for bright futures. "This year the RAS Foundation will proudly support an incredibly diverse group of talented individuals, all with unique and inspiring backgrounds. We have mature aged students, a single father, a Vietnamese refugee as well as a young Indigenous woman, who is the first of 52 grandchildren to attend University; and that's just a few of the 58," Ms Ross said. "The RAS Foundation is committed to helping rural Australians realise their potential through education. Each year, we are impressed with the quality of applicants and inspired by their journeys." "We again look forward to supporting these rural-minded students as they work towards achieving their goals," Ms Ross said. Applications for the RASF’s 2017 Rural Scholarship open on 1 July 2016 and can be accessed online at rasnsw.com.au/scholarships. The RAS Foundation has awarded over $1.4m to over 300 rural scholarship recipients since 2011. The Rural Scholars will be awarded their scholarships at three presentations around the state, including Armidale (20 July), Wagga Wagga (27 July) and Sydney (3 August).   For further information, including high resolution images, please contact: Danielle Sammut - Marketing Coordinator P: (02) 9704 1239 | E: dsammut@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

RASF empowers Western Plains tertiary student to reach dreams

22 Jun 2016

Wednesday, 22 June, 2016 The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation is proud to announce that 1 student; Keiley O'Brien from the Western Plains was among 58 recipients awarded Rural Scholarships in 2016, an initiative designed to ensure an increased flow of skilled people to rural and regional NSW communities. Scholarships are awarded to students based on financial need and desire to live, work and contribute to country NSW, and offer $5,000 for full-time study and $2,500 for part-time study. RAS Foundation Executive Officer, Kate Ross, said this is the most diverse group of students the RAS Foundation has supported since the inception of the program in 2011, and is thrilled the Foundation will again provide a stepping stone for bright futures. "This year the RAS Foundation will proudly support an incredibly diverse group of talented individuals, all with unique and inspiring backgrounds. We have mature aged students, a single father, a Vietnamese refugee as well as a young Indigenous woman, who is the first of 52 grandchildren to attend University; and that's just a few of the 58," Ms Ross said. "The RAS Foundation is committed to helping rural Australians realise their potential through education. Each year, we are impressed with the quality of applicants and inspired by their journeys." "We again look forward to supporting these rural-minded students as they work towards achieving their goals," Ms Ross said. Applications for the RASF's 2017 Rural Scholarship open on 1 July 2016 and can be accessed online at www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation . The RAS Foundation has awarded over $1.4m to rural scholarship recipients since 2011.   For further information, including high resolution images, please contact: Danielle Sammut - Marketing Coordinator P: (02) 9704 1239 | E: dsammut@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
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