The worth of the annual Peter Westblade Scholarship in supporting young people interested in a career with sheep and wool was evident when the proceeds of a ram offered during the annual Bogo Merino ram sale was publicly donated to support the fund.
General manager of Cavan Station and Bogo Merino stud, Yass, Matt Crozier said he was pleased to be able to support the scholarship as it is a worthwhile concept in helping the next generation start a career in the sheep industry.
“We are proud to be a sponsor and advocate of the Peter Westblade Scholarship,” Mr Crozier said.
“It is a very important endeavour to ensure young people see Merinos sheep and the wool industry as a viable and interesting career option.”
Although bidders were aware there was a ram earmarked for donation to the scholarship fund, it wasn’t until the particular ram had been successfully knocked down before the announcement was made.
Longterm client of Bogo Merinos Shaun Beasley, Lindenow South, Victoria paid $3,750 for the nominated ram and was very pleased he was able to make a contribution toward the scholarship fund.
“I think the scholarship is a terrific idea and I try to support it as best I can,” Mr Beasley said.
“I have had scholars and students come to my place for workplace assignments and encourage their interest in agriculture.
“The scholarship is not government funded so any financial support from the industry is welcome, along with the people who are prepared to give up their time and bring enthusiastic young people through the system.”
Current scholar Rachael Gawne has recently spent some time on the Yass-based Merino operation and was present during the auction of the annual draft of rams.
Recently graduated from Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga, Ms Gawne is now employed by Sally Martin Consulting at Young as a technical assistant and said the experience gained through being a Peter Westblade Scholar is helping her achieve her ambition of starting a career in the sheep industry.
“I grew up in a farming family near Narrandera, but the farm was sold when I was quite young so my end goal has been to get back into agriculture somewhow,” she said.
“For me, the answer was to go to uni in Wagga where I completed a degree in animal science and then found my way into the sheep industry.”
Ms Gawne said her interest in Merinos is founded on the balance of the animal, for its ability to produce both wool and meat.
During her time as a Peter Westblade scholar, Ms Gawne has been involved in many opportunities to extent her knowledge of the industry, including a genetics course and a few other program training courses.
“I have also been to Sheepvention with Craig (Wilson), which was really great … it was like nothing I have ever been to before,” she said.
“But the highlight so far has definitely been a trip to WA, we went to a couple of studs and did some classing and I was able to look at how they run their studs.”
The scholarship for 2018 will be open shortly to any young person with an abiding interest in the sheep industry, and coordinator Craig Wilson said the concept grew out of the passing of respected eastern Riverina sheep breeder Peter Westblade ten years ago.
“Peter was a really passionate guy towards young people, he was a wonderful mentor and was always very keen to assist young people into achieving their goals,” Mr Wilson said.
“When he passed away a few of us got our heads together and wondered how we could acknowledge the work he has done.”
Mr Wilson said the idea of the annual scholarship came out of a few brain-storming meetings and is really aimed towards people who are 18 to 35 years.
“What we hope to do is give those young people some assistance in achieving their goals,” he said.
“We don’t dictate to the applicants what they do … just help them achieve what they want to achieve.”
There is a cash component awarded with the scholarship, but Mr Wilson pointed out perhaps the biggest benefit is the chance of mentoring by many successful and forward thinking people in the industry.
Ms Gawne said she gets lots of opportunities to travel to sheep properties through her employment with Sally Martin Consulting, but has also taken the chance to visit stud properties as time permits.
“I have been out to Hay, to Grassy Creek at Boorowa, Bundilla at Young and Bogo near Yass,” she said.
“At Bundilla I was able to have a chat with Ross Baldwin about why he started the stud and the way he did it and I got some wonderful insight from him.”
Applying for the scholarship is something Ms Gawne would thoroughly recommend.
“For me 18 months ago having zero experience in the sheep industry to where I am now getting such fantastic mentors is amazing,” he said.
Mr Wilson further pointed out applicants need not necessarily be focused on the Merino industry, as all are considered on their merit but having the base requirement of an interest in the sheep industry.
“If we can see someone with a lot of drive and passion and enthusiasm then we will help them out where we can,” he said.
