Earlier this year, farming systems group Riverine Plains Inc, launched the John Hanrahan Scholarship in support of tertiary students studying an agriculture or agribusiness bachelor or diploma degree course.

Riverine Plains Inc Treasurer and Scholarship Fund Trustee, Mr Barry Membrey, explained that the Scholarship is named in honour of John Hanrahan, a successful and experienced farmer and respected community member from Coreen, who passed away unexpectedly in 2014.

“John was a great friend and supporter of Riverine Plains Inc and he had a real enthusiasm for the types of ongoing research that Riverine Plains Inc is involved with”, said Barry.

“Through a generous donation made by the Hanrahan family, Riverine Plains Inc has been able to establish a Scholarship in John’s name to honour his passion for farming, his thirst for knowledge and his sense of community”.

The Scholarship, awarded annually, recognises and encourages agricultural excellence in the Riverine Plains region through the support of a local second year student in their agriculture/agribusiness bachelor or diploma degree studies.

The Scholarship includes a bursary of $5,000, access to work experience opportunities either with Riverine Plains Inc, its partner organisation FAR Australia or through our networks, opportunities to network and gain knowledge with free access to all Riverine Plains events and networks and mentoring from one of our current board members.

The John Hanrahan Scholarship is open to current first year Agriculture or Agribusiness degree or diploma students, who will be entering their second year of studies in 2019.

Students aged between 18 and 30 from the Riverine Plains region of north eastern Victoria and the southern Riverina region of NSW are eligible to apply.

Applications for the John Hanrahan Scholarship open on 1 July and close on 31 August, 2018, with details available from the John Hanrahan Scholarship – Information and application page.

The John Hanrahan 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 Inc is an independent farming systems group specialising in farmer driven research and extension across north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales. For more information, or to become a member, please visit www.riverineplains.org.au