The first UNE recipient of a prestigious Order of Australia Association Foundation (OAAF) scholarship, Jennifer Corderoy, was on the family tractor when she received news of her success and says it will “open up a whole new world”.
The lucrative two-year scholarship provides a financial lifeline and mentoring by a member of the Order of Australia, to help guide their career. Jennifer has been matched with her patron, Australian philanthropist and pastoralist Tim Fairfax AC.
Order of Australia Association Foundation Chair, Dr Helen Nugent AC, thanked UNE for its involvement in the rigorous selection process and acknowledged the “wonderful support” of the five donors who provided scholarships in 2025. Their generosity brings to 60 the number of scholarships that the foundation has awarded nationally since 2004.
Tim, who has a property in the New England, requested his scholarship go to an agriculture student.
“I’m a great believer in rural and regional Australia and also a great believer in helping others to reach their potential, beyond their financial circumstances,” Tim said. “Agriculture is where I started out in life and it’s very dear to my heart. I hope the scholarship helps to inspire Jennifer to return to rural and regional areas as a future leader.”
Each of the OAAF scholarship recipients is recognised for being exceptional in their field of study and for giving back to their community. “They are the Australian leaders of tomorrow,” said Dr Nugent. “Individuals who dare to dream big about what they can contribute to the future of our nation.”
A Bachelor of Rural Science student at UNE and keen rugby player, Jennifer has actively pursued industry experience and advocated for agriculture, contributed to her former St Albert’s College community, carried out church ministry work and served as a UNE academic advisor and student representative.
“All the opportunities I have taken have allowed me to gain more knowledge and experience so that I can be more confident and productive in my career. I have chosen ventures that interest me, develop my skillset, and address community needs rather than just earn an income,” Jennifer said.
Having grown up on her family’s mixed cropping and cattle property at Narromine, in central western NSW, Jennifer is keen to work in crop research and extension in future.
“I am passionate about agricultural land stewardship, resource efficiency and introducing farmers to improved crop varieties, management practices and production technologies,” she said. “I would like to be on the ground helping them to filter and implement what’s most beneficial for their system.”
However, independently funding her studies comes with considerable travel and accommodation costs. She has tended to study during trimesters one and two, and to devote trimester three to the practical work experience component of her course.
“I have completed two summers of work experience with Cotton Seed Distributors; helping run field trials for new cotton varieties, test new technologies and implement best-practice across different production systems. I’m looking forward to working with Crown Analytical Services and Australian Grain Technologies later in the year.
“The OAAF scholarship will support me to receive a first-class education at UNE and thrive in my early career. It will allow me to reinvest time once spent working into my studies, to ensure I capitalise on my passion for the agriculture industry and my communities.”
While the financial side of the scholarship is undoubtedly welcome, especially as Jennifer plans to undertake Honours research, she is also appreciative of the mentorship and donor support it includes. “I am excited to work with Mr Fairfax in aligning my career path with industry and community needs, recognising and applying my strengths, and maintaining a character of integrity, humility, and generosity.”
Dr Nugent said the benefits of the OAAF scholarships are enduring. “Mentors have experience in the awardee’s field of interest and provide both career and life advice,” she said. “Some of these mentorships persist long, long after the period of the scholarship. Awardees say it is life-changing.”
For more information on the OAAF scholarships, go to https://oaafoundation.org.au/foundation-scholarship-brochure/
