The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) has announced the recipients’ of their 2022 tertiary scholarship awards.
The Greg Graham Memorial Scholarship, valued at $10,000, has been awarded to Thomas Hatty of Tocumwal. This will assist him to continue his studies at Latrobe University in Melbourne, where he is studying a double bachelor degree in Agricultural Science and Commerce.
The RGA President, Rob Massina, said that Mr Hatty was a worthy winner. “Thomas won the award on the basis of his character, his knowledge of the rice industry and his broad understanding of all sectors of agriculture. Thomas’ double degree offers him a variety of career opportunities within the industry and his determination to build a career in agriculture is evident through his varied work placements since completing High School.”
The Greg Graham Memorial Scholarship provides $10,000 to assist a student with the costs of tertiary education, and is named after past RGA President Greg Graham of Deniliquin who died suddenly on New Year’s Day in 1983.
The Peter Connor Book Award is awarded to the runner-up of the Greg Graham Memorial Scholarship winner, and consists of $3,000 to put towards the cost of books and course materials. Peter Connor was a leading rice grower in the Coleambally area, and was a long standing vice president of the RGA and board member of the Ricegrowers’ Co-operative Limited.
This year the Peter Connor Book Award went to Tiarna Burke of Jerilderie who is studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Charles Sturt University in Albury.
“Miss Burke impressed the panel with her strong primary production knowledge of rice and aspiration to help the agricultural community by returning to the local community to provide much needed Occupational Therapy to farmers. Her commitment to regional and rural communities was evident in her work experience, knowledge of the industry and current impacts facing growers,” said Mr Massina.
Rob Massina, said the RGA is committed to the industry’s long term future and see the next generation as a key part of its success.
“We look forward to seeing where these two diligent young adults end up. The quality of our scholarship winners every year gives me an enormous amount of confidence in the future of the industry,” Mr Massina said.
Mr Massina also acknowledged the generous financial support from Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd and SunRice who make these scholarships possible each year. Since the awards were first introduced in 2001, over 40 agriculture students have benefited from the generosity and foresight of SunRice, Rice Research Australia and the RGA.
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Media inquires and for scholarship recipients interviews contact:
Matthew Pete
RGA Communications Officer
0488 071 165 | [email protected]