2020 John Hanrahan Scholarship recipients announced

9 April, 2020

2020 John Hanrahan Scholarship awarded to two outstanding local recipients

Riverine Plains and the Hanrahan family are pleased to announce that the 2020 John Hanrahan Scholarship recipients are Sophie Hanna from Walwa, Victoria and Lachlan Quibell from Marungi, Victoria.

Both recipients are currently undertaking their second year of Bachelor of Agriculture studies at the University of Melbourne.

Riverine Plains Treasurer and Scholarship Fund Trustee, Mr Barry Membrey, explained that in awarding two recipients for 2020, the John Hanrahan Scholarship Fund was doing its part to support agriculture in the region now and into the future.

“The John Hanrahan Scholarship is named in honour of the late John Hanrahan, a successful farmer from Coreen who had a passion for agriculture, a thirst for knowledge and real sense of community” explained Barry.

“Both Sophie and Lachlan possess these same characteristics and we can see this in the way they approach their respective educational, sporting and cultural interests” he said.

Throughout the application process, both recipients have shown themselves to be articulate, thoughtful and driven people with strong leadership skills.

“Both are also very committed to the future of agriculture and recognise the need for agricultural production to service a growing population, whilst also considering the resource and environmental challenges facing the industry” said Barry.

Sophie Hanna is a passionate contributor to her family’s beef cattle business at Walwa and hopes to become an agronomist while continuing her involvement on the farm. Sophie is also interested in plant genetic research and hopes to advance crop and pasture varieties for farming systems.

Lachlan Quibell is interested in plant production, especially broadacre crop and perennial horticulture systems. He is also passionate about engaging with the wider community about agriculture and wants to be part of a new generation tackling production issues while also focussing on factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, farm feasibility and sustainability.

Sophie said the bursary would provide extra time, enabling her to broaden her knowledge and seek practical agricultural experience.

Lachlan expressed a similar sentiment, saying that the Scholarship will better allow him to take full advantage of the University learning experience.

As the 2020 recipients of the John Hanrahan Scholarship, both Sophie and Lachlan receive a bursary of $5,000.

Both students are also looking forward to accessing the work experience, mentoring and educational opportunities that form part of the scholarship.

Riverine Plains Inc would like to thank the Hanrahan family for the generous donation that led to the establishment of the Scholarship, as well as all those who have made financial or in-kind donations to the Scholarship Fund over the past few years.

“The calibre of applications for the 2020 Scholarship was extremely high and we would like to commend all applicants and wish them well with their studies” added Barry.

Applications for the 2021 round of the John Hanrahan Scholarship will open in July 2020. Further details will be available from www.riverineplains.org.au closer to this date.

The Riverine Plains Scholarship Fund has been recognised by the Australian Taxation Office to provide Deductible Gift Recipient status.  For information on how to make a donation to the Scholarship Fund please contact the Riverine Plains Inc office on 03 5744 1713 or email info@riverineplains.org.au.

Riverine Plains is an independent farming systems group specialising in farmer driven research and extension across north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales.