Sub sections:
Scholarships
WOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
Undergraduate Scholarships
Australian Wool Education Trust co-funds undergraduate scholarships, each valued at $6000/year, for students interested in working in the wool industry. Support for these scholarships is also provided by industry organisations and work experience. Scholarships are provided to school leavers, 1st and 2nd year University students. Applications for these scholarships are due on Friday 28th September 2012. Download an application form and referee report.
In 2012 students studying two or more sheep and wool units will be able to apply for a number of $6,000 scholarships sponsored by the Australian Wool Education Trust. The scholarships are available to 3rd and 4th year University students enrolled in the wool units in 2012. Applications for these scholarships are due Thursday 5th April 2012. Download an application form.
Honours Scholarships
The Trust supports 15 Honours scholarships per year (available to suitable applicants from any University), each of which is valued at $6,000 - $3,000 allocated to the student and the balance to the University to fund student research. Applications for these scholarships can be made directly to the Trust.
PhD Scholarships
Funding for two PhD scholarships, valued at $30,000 (plus $5,000 operating) provided each year. Applications for these scholarships can be made directly to the Trust.
Post Doctoral Scholarships
The Trust is funding a Post Doctoral Scholarship valued at $44,000-46,000, awarded each year.
Applications for these scholarships can be made directly to the Trust.
Prizes
The Australian Wool Education Trust will be awarding prizes to the two top performing students in each of the 4 sheep & wool units:
First Prize $350
Second $200
Travel Awards
The Trust will also provide reimbursement of economy travel and accommodation expenses, to the residential schools of each unit. A copy of tax receipts is required i.e. petrol or plane ticket and standard accommodation up to $500 (NSW, QLD), $750 (TAS, VIC, SA) and $1,000 (WA). Attach receipts to this form.
Recently awarded scholarship holders
Brett Bonselaar is in his 3rd and final year studying a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus. Brett comes from Windalle Station a 96,000 acre sheep and cattle property, 140km east of Broken Hill. The property runs on average 6,000 head of self-replacing Merinos. Brett says “My main focus of study was to specialise in livestock production, as I plan to move back to our property in the future and my knowledge will hopefully improve the profitability of our current Merino enterprise”.
Brett has elected to study externally through the University of New England to include the specialised sheep and wool units within his degree. Brett has studied Sheep production in semester 1 and Wool marketing and clip preparation in semester 2. Brett says “Sheep production is a very well set up unit because it caters to all students no matter what their previous knowledge or background. The best aspect of the unit was the extra knowledge I gained on drought management and the trip to Armidale was great to see how sheep producers run operations in different environments”. Brett believes the wool marketing and clip preparation unit would be beneficial for people who are interested in wool production, to provide a good understanding of wool harvest right through to processing and marketing.
Brett will finish his degree at the end of 2010 and is hoping to follow a career in agribusiness to gain more knowledge to apply back on the family property. Brett says “My long term goal is to move back home and one day take over and run my own business”. Brett recommends to other students to “take the opportunity to learn the subjects you are interested in and not just do the units that are easy or what your mates are doing. Take full advantage of the chances made available to you”.
Mitchell Trickey is a 3rd year student studying a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business at the University of New England. Mitchell applied for the Australian Wool Education Trust scholarship because of an interest in both animal science and the textile industry. Mitchell says the stipend of $6,000 has “enabled me to take pressure off my employment commitments and give me the time to really concentrate on my studies. I also hope to use some of the scholarship to explore the rich cultural world of wool processing and textile manufacturing abroad”.
Mitchell is studying two units, Wool processing and Wool marketing and clip preparation at the University of New England, both offered in semester 2. Mitchell says he chose these units because “textile development is an area of interest and I wish to explore the fine and luxury animal fibres and their production systems. The trip to New Zealand which is part of the wool processing unit, (and also funded by the Australian Wool Education Trust) is an opportunity to explore the processing stages of wool and allows for a much deeper understanding than most classes can offer. Travelling to New Zealand to extend the learning experience is obviously great!”.
Mitchell is also studying certificate IV in wool classing at TAFE, whilst at University and has also gained work experience with the Australian Wool Fashion Awards in 2010. Mitchell says “involvement with the Australian Wool Fashion Industry was a thought provoking experience, as I dealt with many people who have a negative attitude toward wool”. This emphasises the importance of understanding why marketing of Australian wool is so important.