Three Gippsland Grammar Old Scholars recently received a Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholarship worth $30,000 over three years to help cover accommodation and study expenses.

The Gardiner Foundation believes the next generation of dairy farmers, service providers, professionals, business owners and community volunteers are the future of the dairy industry and its communities, which is why it invests in emerging leaders to help develop a long-term future for the dairy industry.

Former Gippsland Grammar students from the Class of 2022 Will Coleman, Hamish McLeod and Eden McMillian received three of the seven available 2023 Gardiner Tertiary Scholarships at a presentation lunch in Melbourne earlier this month.

Gardiner Foundation’s CEO Allan Cameron said each of this year’s scholarship recipients were outstanding candidates.

“We are confident that by selecting people who are capable and demonstrate a passion for regional Victoria, they will one day return to dairy communities with the skills they’ve developed while studying, thereby strengthening those dairy communities,” Mr Cameron said. “Each of our scholarships is named in honour of individuals who have made a significant contribution to the dairy industry and its communities in Victoria including Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle, Doug Weir and Niel Black.”

Hamish (currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce) received the Doug Weir Scholarship, Eden (currently studying a Bachelor of Paramedicine/Bachelor of Nursing) received the Niel Black Scholarship and, fittingly, Will (currently studying a Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine) received the scholarship named after well-known former Maffra vet Jacob Malmo.

The Gardiner Foundation has been supporting rural students through scholarships since 2008 and awarded 75 scholarships with a total value of over $1.7 million. A review indicated that more than 70 per cent of past scholars have gone on to live in and contribute to the dairy industry and dairy communities since completing their tertiary studies.

Will Coleman and Hamish McLeod both attended the presentation ceremony in Melbourne however Eden McMillan was unable to attend as she is currently volunteering overseas.