20 March, 2018

Word Count: 551

New scholarship supports agriculture’s next generation

On Friday 2 March, Riverine Plains Inc, hosted an Agribusiness Dinner at Corowa, attended by 165 people. The dinner was held in celebration of the families, communities and businesses involved in agriculture across the region, as well as being the official launch of the John Hanrahan Scholarship.

Riverine Plains Inc Treasurer and Scholarship Fund Trustee, Mr Barry Membrey, said 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, will recognise and encourage 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.

Applications for the John Hanrahan Scholarship will open on 1 July and close on 31 August, with details available in the coming months from www.riverineplains.org.au.

“We are aiming to raise additional funds so the Scholarship can continue in perpetuity, and invite members, sponsors and friends of Riverine Plains Inc, and the wider community, to consider making a donation to the Scholarship Fund so that this vision can be realised” added Barry.

The evening also featured Ms Alexandra Gartmann, Managing Director and CEO of Rural Bank, who spoke about her own leadership journey as well as Rural Bank’s Scholarship Program, which has been supporting students since 1992.

Ms Gartmann described how scholarships can open doors for an exciting and diverse agricultural career and commended Riverine Plains Inc and the Hanrahan Family on the establishment of the John Hanrahan Scholarship.

The evening also included an impressive food and wine display, which showcased the diverse and wonderful range of agricultural produce originating from north east Victoria and southern NSW.  Produce featured in the display was donated by a number of local businesses, before being sold in hampers and raising over $3500 for the Scholarship Fund.

Riverine Plains Inc sincerely thank the following businesses for their generous donations: Junee Abattoirs, Rennylea Angus, Murray Valley Pork, Uncle Toby’s, Rich Glen Olive Estate, Cofield Winery, Rutherglen Estate Winery, Willowbank, Holbrook Paddock Eggs, RMB Stillard Nominees (Tomatoes), Winemakers of Rutherglen, Mt Pilot Estate, Jones Winery & Vineyard, Murray Estate Wines, Billabong Produce, Katamatite Garlic, Riverina Dairy, Lupins for Life, Lambtastic, Greta Vale Orchard, Malt Shed Brewery, Murray River Produce, Riverina Oilseeds & Bioenergy, AWB (Canola Oil), John Doyle Potatoes, Ross Tomatoes and The Wicked Virgin.

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.

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More Information or Interview:

Fiona Hart, Executive Officer, Riverine Plains Inc on 03 5744 1713.