Home-grown talent gets a taste for food industry

March 28 2007
Shepparton News

One of the Goulburn Valley's most talented food students has beaten a large number of applicants to take home the $20,000 SPC Ardmona HomeGrown scholarship recently.

Former Kyabram Secondary College student Christine Haw said she was thrilled to learn she had won the scholarship, which is awarded to a high-achieving student who plans a career in the food industry.

Ms Haw, 19, who now studies Food Science and Nutrition at Deakin University in Melbourne, said she always had an interest in food subjects during high school and would return to the region for work.

"At the end of my course I can be a nutritionist or a food technologist and can work within industry developing new products and catering for people who have a specific culture or specific nutrient requirements," she said.

SPC Ardmona managing director Nigel Garrard said the scholarship provided the financial assistance over four years and included work experience at the organisation.
"We recognise the potential of students in the Goulburn Valley and want to harness their talents to benefit our business and community," Mr Garrard said.

What is the purpose of the scholarship?

The SPC Ardmona Home Grown Scholarship Program is designed to keep the best and brightest students in the Goulburn Valley / Shepparton area through educational development coupled with ongoing work experience at SPC Ardmona. The scholarship holder will be rewarded for their commitment to a career that will help sustain the economic growth of the Goulburn Valley area.

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must:

• Be commencing first year study in Food Science and Technology OR Mechanical Engineering at any Australian university (proof of a university offer must be produced at the interview stage)
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia
• Be a resident of the Goulburn Valley area
• Have completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent
• Have a superior record of academic achievement and involvement in school life
• Not hold any other award or scholarship concurrently
• Agree to attend paid work experience at SPC Ardmona during annual university semester breaks
• Be available for an interview in person at SPC Ardmona on 18 January 2007

What financial support is available through the scholarship?

The scholarship provides a grant of $5,000 per annum (maximum $20,000 over 4 years) for full-time study to contribute towards the costs for a student to gain a qualification at any Australian university. It is envisaged that the grant will cover costs such as course fee liabilities, Student Union fees, accommodation and textbooks.

How do I apply?

Please refer to this website in September of each year to view details about the next round of applications.

How is the scholarship holder chosen?

A selection committee made up of SPC Ardmona and Goulburn Valley community representatives will evaluate applications for the scholarship. Short-listed applicants must be available to attend a one-hour interview at SPC Ardmona in Shepparton at the commencement of the scholarship year. All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision.

Scholarship Conditions

• Full-time study must be completed in the minimum length of time for the qualification
• Yearly grants of $5,000 will be paid in 2 parts on a bi-annual basis at the commencement of each semester (February and August)
• Ongoing funding will be subject to an annual progress review. The successful applicant will need to provide results to the selection committee at the conclusion of second semester each year. As a general guide, the successful applicant would need to maintain a credit average in order to obtain continued scholarship support. Failure of a subject may result in the discontinuation of the scholarship
• The scholarship holder must commit to spend at least 6 weeks per annum, for the duration of the scholarship, undertaking paid work experience at SPC Ardmona in a field relevant to their tertiary studies
• The scholarship holder will be required to sign a publicity release form in order to participate in marketing activities. This may include attendance at industry conferences or TV and print media promotion
• The scholarship recipient will be required to sign a statutory declaration demonstrating that they are of good character and reputation