Eight students from Victorian dairy regions, commencing their first year of tertiary study in 2025, have been honoured with scholarships from the Gardiner Foundation. After receiving a record number of applicants, Gardiner Foundation has awarded an extra scholarship this year.
The 2025 Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholars are: Chris Dwyer, Newry (Bill Pyle scholarship); Scarlett Southern, Leitchville (Shirley Harlock scholarship); Sage Anderson, Fish Creek (Doug Weir scholarship); Anna Dickson, Garvoc (Jakob Malmo scholarship). The 2025 Niel Black scholars are Shaye Brown, Kongwak; Ryan Smith, Tongala; Georgia Anderson, Denison; and Ella Harwood, Colac.
Each scholar will receive $10,000 annually for three years to support costs associated with their studies. These scholarships are granted to students accepted into courses that will benefit the Victorian dairy industry or dairy communities.
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron said the program encourages students to return to Victoria’s dairy regions upon graduation or after gaining work experience. This ensures a diverse range of essential skills within these regions.
“For 25 years, Gardiner Foundation has been committed to building a strong future for Victorian dairy. Our tertiary scholarships empower young people with the skills and knowledge to drive innovation, sustainability, and prosperity in their communities.”
“Gardiner is proud to provide students with the opportunity to gain their tertiary qualifications without some of the financial constraints that can often exist for students from the country,” Mr. Cameron said.
There is no preferred field of study, with past students enrolling in a variety of courses, including agriculture science, nursing, medicine, engineering, journalism and commerce.
Since the launch of its Tertiary Scholarship Program in 2008, Gardiner Foundation has awarded 90 scholarships with a total investment exceeding $2.1 million.
“These scholarships are more than an investment in education—they are an investment in the future of our dairy regions. By supporting the best and brightest young minds, we are strengthening the communities and industries that make Victorian dairy thrive,” said Mr. Cameron.
The scholarships are named in honor of industry giants: Niel Black, Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle and Doug Weir. These individuals epitomise dedication, innovation and leadership in the dairy sector.
2025 Tertiary Scholarships Recipients:
Scarlett Southern, Shirley Harlock Scholarship
Scarlett grew up on a dairy farm in Leitchville, Northern Victoria, and attended high school at St Joseph’s College in Echuca. She will study a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and Nutrition Science at Deakin University in Warrnambool/Geelong, with aspirations to educate farmers about the importance of nutrition and exercise in their well-being and inspire positive change in her community through practical strategies.
Anna Dickson, Jakob Malmo Scholarship
Anna grew up on a dairy farm in Garvoc, South West Victoria, and completed year 12 in 2024 at Emmanuel College in Warrnambool. She is off to study a Bachelor of Animal and Vet BioScience at La Trobe in Bundoora, with a passion for bovine nutrition and aspirations to work in animal nutrition or return to run her own dairy farm and recently won Junior Champion with her Illawarra Red at International Dairy Week.
Sage Anderson, Doug Weir Scholarship
Sage, from Fish Creek in Gippsland, is set to begin a Bachelor of Science at Monash University, with aspirations to pursue veterinary medicine. After spending her gap year working at Burra Foods, she is passionate about becoming a mixed-practice vet, supporting both companion animals and livestock to strengthen her local dairy community.
Chris Dwyer, Bill Pyle Scholarship
Chris, from Newry in East Gippsland, is set to study a Bachelor of Engineering at Monash University, inspired by his interest in irrigation infrastructure and cattle underpasses on his family farm. He is eager to return to East Gippsland once he finishes study, using his skills in engineering and town planning to support and strengthen his local community.
Shaye Brown, Niel Black Scholarship
Shaye, who grew up on a dairy farm in Kongwak, is set to study a Bachelor of Biomedical and Exercise Science at Victoria University, with hopes of becoming a physiotherapist. Inspired by her own injury and the challenges of accessing healthcare in regional areas, she is passionate about returning to her community to support and treat the many hard-working dairy farmers in need of care.
Ryan Smith, Niel Black Scholarship
Ryan, from Tongala in Northern Victoria, is set to study a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at La Trobe University in Bundoora, with ambitions of becoming a physiotherapist. Passionate about supporting his local community, he hopes to one day open his own practice to improve access to treatment and educate dairy farmers on injury prevention and safe work practices.
Georgia Anderson, Niel Black Scholarship
Georgia, from Denison in Gippsland, is set to complete an Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness and Applied Agronomy at Longerenong Ag College. With hands-on experience working on a local dairy farm, she plans to further her studies in farm business management and build a career in managing dairy farms, aligning with the growing presence of corporate farming in her region.
Ella Harwood, Niel Black Scholarship
Ella grew up in Irrewarra, northeast of Colac in South West Victoria, and completed year 12 at Colac Secondary College. Having grown up on a farm with a passion for animals, she will spend the next 6 to 7 years studying a Bachelor of Animal Science at Charles Sturt University, with plans to specialise in large animals, specifically dairy and beef cattle, and pursue a career as a vet.