A passion for agriculture and a desire to promote the industry has seen Charles Sturt University (CSU) students Ms Eliza Star and Ms Hannah Schulz awarded prestigious Horizon Scholarships. 

 

The scholarships provide $20,000 over four years along with mentoring, professional development and work placements.

 

The students were awarded one of eight scholarships, selected from almost 170 applicants nationally.

 

Ms Star, from Carathool in southern NSW, is in her first year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science through CSU’s School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences in Wagga Wagga.

 

“This will make a great difference to my studies, as it includes industry based mentoring and experience in the rice industry,” Ms Star said. “The financial assistance will allow me to harness all my energy into studying and working through my degree, reducing the distractions and stress from gaining a part-time job. Most importantly, the scholarship has increased my leadership skills and my understanding of the agricultural industry.”

 

Growing up on a farm, Ms Star said she has always been interested in agriculture but has faced some negative sentiment about pursuing a career in primary industries.

 

“Some people expressed concern that I’m entering a male dominated industry but I’m motivated to change people’s perceptions of agriculture and expose how great the industry is,” she said.

 

Ms Star hopes to undertake Honours research as part of her study at CSU and is considering a career in agronomic services or plant breeding.

 

“I’m particularly interested in irrigated cropping systems and plan to travel throughout Australia and internationally with my degree,” she said.

 

Ms Schulz hails from Molong in the central west of NSW and is studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science/Bachelor of Veterinary Biology through CSU’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences also in Wagga Wagga.

 

After completing her study she hopes to spend some years as a large animal veterinarian before building on her interest in ovine and bovine medicine to research and develop strategies to improve on-farm productivity.

 

The Horizon Scholarships are sponsored by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Meat and Livestock Australia and the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia.