A charity auction to raise funds for Project Cygnet will be held on October 13. Auction items include a Rennylea heifer, private conversation time with AGBU scientists, wine, holidays and more.
Bidding can be conducted remotely via AuctionsPlus. More here!
AGBU has launched Project Cygnet, a philanthropic fund established in 2026 by the family, colleagues and friends of the late Professor Andrew Swan, AGBU's former Chief Scientist. The fund is dedicated to developing young scientific talent working on animal breeding research.
Project Cygnet provides funding for exchange opportunities that build intellectual growth, industry engagement and collaborative skills – capabilities that Dr Swan fostered in others throughout his career, and which AGBU regards as essential for its scientists.
AGBU Deputy Director and Dr Swan’s widow, Dr Kim Bunter, said that across a career of supporting others, Dr Swan was particularly adept at mentoring young talent.
“He consistently demonstrated his values by prioritising industry-wide impact over personal academic acclaim,” Dr Bunter said.
“Project Cygnet is our way of creating a meaningful, living legacy—one that continues to empower young researchers to become both technically proficient and deeply connected to the industries they serve.”
Project Cygnet is open to Masters and PhD students, and to practising scientists within five years of completing their most recent higher degree, supporting placements both for international candidates hosted in Australia and for Australians undertaking placements abroad.
Host organisations range from research institutions to industry placements where science is applied directly.
“Cygnet," from the Latin for swan, also means a young swan. It reflects Andrew Swan's own record of mentoring early-career scientists throughout a career that included developing the MERINOSELECT and LAMBPLAN evaluation systems and expanding genomic evaluation into BREEDPLAN.
Donations to support the aims of Project Cygnet are warmly welcomed.
