Apply now for 2008 BCU Bill Ussher Agricultural Scholarship
Applications open for 2008 BCU Bill Ussher Agricultural Scholarship
The BCU Bill Ussher Agricultural Scholarship is now its fourth year and honours the late Bill Ussher who was BCU’s first member and founding chairman.
Due to its success in previous years, this year the value of the scholarship has been increased to $11,000 and we have created two awards, worth $7,700 and $3,300 respectively, to be used by primary producers to access educational and training opportunities.
In addition, the scholarship is now open to all family farming businesses in northern NSW and southern Queensland. You have to be over 18 years of age and been a primary producer or owner of a family farm for two years or more.
The 2007 BCU Bill Ussher Scholarship winner was Tim Zirkler of Premium Rhones Creek Blueberries near Macksville. Tim used the scholarship to travel to the United States to study blueberry farming practices in North America.
As well as the benefiting from the educational opportunities created by the scholarship, all previous winners have reported increased interest in their produce as a result of the publicity generated by the scholarship – an unexpected windfall of winning.
Applications close 5pm, Friday, 29 August 2008, and the winners will be announced on 10 October 2008 at the BCU Pro-Ag field days in Macksville.
For more details and entry requirements, talk to your local BCU agri-business lender or branch manager.
Application forms are also available from all BCU branches or by calling BCU Direct on 1300 228 228.
Previous winners
Photo 1 2007 winner, Tim Zirkler (right) of Premium Rhones Creek Blueberries and runner-up Rosalie Nowland (left) of Summerland Pecans with Bryan Ussher (centre) (photo: Belinda Scott/Coffs Advocate)
Photo 2 2006 runner-up finalist, Steve Manton of The Big Oyster, Port Macquarie with BCU’s Betty Hartnett, Lending Manager, Port Macquarie (left) and Shirley O’Keefe (centre).
Photo 3 2006 winner, Desmae Harrison of Megan near Dorrigo Photo 4 2005 winners, Bronwyn and Graham Finch of Lakeview Fresh Mushrooms of Boambee, near Coffs Harbour, with BCU’s Brian Leiper.
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