07 August 2015
Victorian veterinary science student Caitlyn Daffey has been awarded a 2015 Horizon Scholarship, supported by Meat & Livestock Australia.
The Horizon Scholarship, an initiative of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) in partnership with industry sponsors, provides $5,000 per year for the duration of a student’s undergraduate university degree, encouraging young people across Australia to pursue fields of study in agriculture.
Born and bred in Ballarat, Victoria, Caitlyn is currently studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University in Toowoomba in Queensland and said the Horizon Scholarship would help her give back to rural communities after graduation by providing mentoring and other support throughout her degree.
“I would love to be able to assist farmers in improving their stock yields and also overcome welfare and disease issues present in agricultural industries,” Caitlyn said.
“I believe the program will allow me to do this through financial support, but also with opportunities from mentoring and development workshops.
“I fell in love with the outback, and rural Australia really has become a true ‘place of the heart’ for me, so after graduating I would ideally like to find work in a remote community.”
MLA Managing Director Richard Norton said it was important that the next generation of agricultural leaders could meet the modern challenges presented by the livestock sector, by being armed with the knowledge and tools to further grow on farm productivity in a sustainable way.
“We see the Horizon Scholarship as a way to provide students with important learning opportunities in practical work placements where they can gain firsthand experience in modern agricultural practices, access to industry leaders and professional development that will help on the pathway to their future careers,” he said.
“MLA is committed to supporting young people in agriculture. Nearly 40 per cent of MLA employees are 35 years and under, with many from rural backgrounds, working across a diverse range of roles from market analysts and communications staff to marketing officers and R&D managers.”
Caitlyn is one of 14 enthusiastic university undergraduates with a passion for agriculture that have received a RIRDC Horizon Scholarship this year.
