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City kid defies the trend choosing a country school for HSCAustralia - September 05, 2012 With a love for agriculture, 17-year-old Will Howard has defied the trend to leave the bush and head for the city, instead choosing to move from Sydney to enrol as a boarding student at The Armidale School in the New England region of New South Wales. Will’s passion for agriculture recently received a boost following his selection from a pool of 65 students across New South Wales and Queensland for the 2013 Industry Placement Scholarship at Dow AgroSciences’ Breeza Research Station, near Tamworth, New South Wales. The Industry Scholarship Program, now in its third year, is a joint venture between Dow AgroSciences and The Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE), with students selected through a rigorous application and interview process. The five-day placement in January next year will see Will working alongside research scientists, enabling him to expand his understanding of the many and varied roles for university graduates keen to explore a career in the agricultural sector. “I was actually born in Armidale and moved to Sydney when I was six, so I have an affinity with the region,” Will explained. “I really wanted to experience boarding school and was keen to meet new people from different backgrounds so I asked my father if I could leave Sydney Grammar to enrol at The Armidale School for my Higher School Certificate,” the Year 11 student said. “My 15-year-old brother, Ed, has been enrolled at the school for a year now and my dad was a student there when he was a teenager, so it’s great to continue the family tradition,” Will said. Will’s interest in agriculture stems from his family background and a passion for science. “My dad, Peter, is a commodities trader and we have three cattle properties near Coonabarabran and in the upper Hunter Valley in New South Wales. Every school holidays I spend a week on one of the properties, working alongside the other employees either marking calves or doing general tractor work. Will was selected for the Industry Scholarship Program due to his commitment to a career in agriculture and his strong academic success. “Will is performing well academically at school and has a genuine interest and passion to investigate the science based careers in agriculture. We were pleased to offer Will this scholarship and very much look forward to working with him,” said Susanna Grieg, Science Education Officer for PICSE, who is based at the University of New England. “Will’s passion for agriculture and his commitment to a life in the country, despite his upbringing in the city, further made him the ideal candidate. It’s great to see students from the city recognising the many and varied career opportunities across the ag sector.” Dow AgroSciences’ Research and Development Leader, Australia and New Zealand, Dr Matt Cahill, added that Will is precisely the type of young person the sector needs to overcome its ongoing skills shortage. “Previous recipients of the Industry Scholarship have benefitted significantly from their experience at Breeza, with many changing their career paths as a result of the placement,” Dr Cahill said. “While Will is already committed to a career in agricultural science, the experience will provide him with more of an insight into the high level research being undertaken at centres such as Breeza, along with the varied career options the sector offers.” On completion of the scholarship, Will will present a written report and verbal presentation outlining his experience. He will also receive a $300 scholarship cheque. For Editorial Information:
Sharyn Casey
Jim Phimister |
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