The Greenham Tasmania Scholarship - now in it's second year - was set up and funded by Greenham Tasmania Pty Ltd which operates an export-oriented meat processing plant at Smithton. The scholarship will be awarded to someone between the ages of 17 and 25 years, to help them undertake formal study leading to a career in the dairy or beef sectors.

Greenham Tasmania's Manager, Peter Greenham, said the aim of the scholarship was to promote education within these industries and to encourage young Tasmanians to better prepare themselves for a rewarding future either on the land or in an associated industry.

"It is vital that we inspire and help young people who are willing to make a commitment to farm industries but may not necessarily have the resources to realise their ambitions," Mr Greenham said.

"The dairy and beef sectors offer exciting career opportunities and a viable future, whether it is managing a profitable farm, working as a researcher exploring innovations for farmers and processors, providing on-farm technical support and advice or even working as a veterinarian to improve herd health.

"To be able to compete and contribute not only to the industry but also to their own future, the next generation of dairy and beef farmers and related industry workers will need to be better educated and skilled. Personal development through education is one of the best ways of achieving these goals," he said.

Scholarship entries will be judged on a range of criteria including:

• Personal and academic achievements, including previous involvement in either industry.
• Potential benefits and/or relevance to Tasmanian dairy and beef farmers and the industry of the chosen study area or career path.
• How important the scholarship, and the money it provides to the applicant, is in being able to undertake the study and potentially realise their ambitions.

The scholarship is open to the immediate family members of anyone who has sold any type of cattle to the Smithton-based company since January 1, 2004.

The winner will be selected by an independent panel comprising representatives from the Tasmanian farming, community and education sectors.

Mr Greenham said the scholarship was a way for the company to give something back to the many farming families who had supported the company.

Greenham Tasmania is a subsidiary of HW Greenham & Sons Pty Ltd which has six generations of involvement in the Australian meat industry and close links to dairy and beef producers.

Greenham Tasmania was set up in early 2002 when the company bought and re-started the failed Blue Ribbon Smithton plant in the State's north-west.

The scholarship is an expansion of a similar program introduced by HW Greenham and Sons in 2000. The company now presents two scholarships, each worth $10,000, with one designated for families supplying cattle to its Tongala plant in northern Victoria, and the other for families supplying the Smithton plant.

Applications for the Greenham Tasmania Scholarship will close at 5.00 pm, Monday January 31 (2005), and the winner will be announced in late February, 2005.

Application forms and further information available by phoning Emma Angus at Porter Novelli on (08) 8272 8699, faxing a request to (08) 8272 8355 or adelaide@porternovelli.sa.com.au

Application form and information sheets can be downloaded at www.greenham.com.au Ends

Editor's please note: To arrange an interview about the scholarship please contact: Peter Greenham (Jr) on 6452 2701

Electronic copies of the release and other information is available by contacting Porter Novelli on 08 8272 8699.

Issued on behalf of
Greenham Tasmania Pty Ltd
Smithton
Ph: 03 6452 2701 Fx: 03 6452 1479
(Tas scholarship release)