The Ballance Scholarship winners for 2012 are:
Samuel Anderson
Samuel, from Riverton, commences a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences at Lincoln University this year. The former Southland Boys High School student has had extensive experience working on the family sheep farm as well as neighbouring dairy and sheep farms and aims to use the knowledge gained by completing his degree to work in the soil science field, and has a long-term goal to own his own farm.
'I see agriculture has a great importance in New Zealand and in the future will need to be more productive, efficient and environmentally sustainable.'
A keen sportsperson, Samuel has played club rugby, has represented his school at South Island athletics, and is a keen hunter. Through his involvement with Boys Brigade he has completed a National Leadership Development course and was awarded the highest award in Boy Brigade, the Queens Badge. He also assists the local Lions club with their shearing fundraiser.
Scott Cameron
Scott is in his third year of a Bachelor of Agri-Sciences from Massey University. From a dairy farm in Hawera, Scott has worked on the family farm, as well as the local DairyNZ research farm during summer holidays as an assistant research technician assisting with the physical labour of the trials including biopsies, blood samples from the tail, rumen samples, feed conversion efficiency trials, dry matter sampling of silage, grass, maize or grain, and seed trials.
A former Francis Douglas Memorial College student, Scott is an active person, participating in Water Skiing at a national level, and playing premier rugby league. In 2009, he gained a finalist placing in the Ronald Hugh Morrison Literary award, achieving Honours in his Speech New Zealand exams. In the short term Scott hopes to secure employment where he can specialise in research and development in order to improve the output and productivity within the agriculture sector.
'I would like to utilise my knowledge in an advisory capacity, supporting and enhancing farmers in their endeavours to increase their own productivity and to up skill their personal knowledge base.'
Matthew Hansen
Matthew, a former St Peters student in Cambridge, is backing up his practical relief milking and farming experience with a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University commencing this year. Matthew has a keen interest in farming, and part owns 30 purebred Suffolk, Suffolk cross and Romney ewes and three stud R3 Hereford cows with calves that are registered with the Hereford Association. He has also raised several Hereford Friesian X calves over the last four years, growing them to at least 100 kg before reselling.
Playing representative hockey for Waikato, he has also been involved in coaching. Other spots interests include road cycling, running, swimming, mountain biking, hunting and scuba diving. Over the summer holidays Matthew is a Surf Life Guard at Pauanui Beach on the Coromandel.
'After completing my degree I would like to work in the agriculture industry as a fertiliser rep or rural bank manager. Eventually I would like to progress to a sharemilking position, and after paying off my cows, I would like to either progress to a large scale sharemilking position or begin farm ownership.'
Peter West
Peter, from Te Awamutu, is completing an Honours Degree examining the vertical distribution of carbon storage under pastoral soils this year after finishing his Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences at Lincoln University.
'A relatively new and exciting area of research, this work has the potential to aid mitigation of the potential negative effects that agriculture can have on our environment, while ensuring the productivity and profitability of farmers remains high. Finding solutions to such issues will aid in ensuring the competiveness and sustainability of the New Zealand dairy industry.'
A former DairyNZ scholarship recipient, Peter has gained work experience on dairy farms in both the Waikato and Canterbury regions, with work involving pasture management, milking, supplement feeding, weed control, tractor work, calf rearing, animal welfare, and feed budgeting components.
His sporting achievements include playing representative cricket for the New Zealand under-19 team, and his interests extend to rugby, athletics and cross country. He is a member of the New Zealand Royal Forest and Bird society and has been involved in voluntary community projects such as the Maungatautari Ecological Island.
Thomas Yule
Thomas is in his second year of a Bacehlor of Commerce Degree (Agricultural Management) at Lincoln University. From Hastings, Thomas is a former head prefect of Lindisfarne College. He has played representative hockey for Hawke’s Bay, enjoys rugby and tennis, and is an accomplished bagpipe player.
Over the last 10 years Thomas has spent a lot of time working on the family farm during school holidays. In 2007 he gained a heavy traffic licence and has spent time working for a range of agricultural contractors, including travel to America to take part in the annual 2000 mile grain harvest where he operated a combine harvester for eight months.
'Once gaining a better understanding of the rural supply sector eventually I plan to return to the family farm with my ultimate goal being to supply to my own supermarket alongside other local producers. With food supply relating to sustainability becoming a bigger issue globally I see this as a very exciting career goal to aim towards. With demand for food continuing to increase globally and limiting resources restricting our supply I see many opportunities in this sector.'
Gavin Ralph
Gavin, from Morrinsville, is in his final year of study towards a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at The University of Auckland. His work experience includes relief milking for parents and neighbours during study breaks, as well as a fixed term position as an Environmental Dairy Liaison Assistant for DairyNZ and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. This work involved liaising with farmers on their properties, collecting data about their effluent system, analysing and modelling the data, writing a report summarising findings and recommending improvements and finally passing these reports back to the farmers.
'Ensuring that our dairy industry is sustainable is already a huge part of what we do, and it is only going to become more important as the pressure on our natural resources increases. It's not something that we can ignore, and I think my dairy farming background puts me in a good position to be able to develop solutions that are mutually beneficial to both industry and our natural resources.'
Named a Dux in his final year of school at St John’s College in Hamilton, Gavin’s interests include running, soccer and tennis. He was also heavily involved in Scouts throughout his schooling, obtaining the highest award in Scouts – the Queen’s Scout Award.
The Ballance Scholarship winners for 2010 are:
Tom Shaw
Tom is studying for a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Chemical and Processing) at University of Canterbury. A former dux of St Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton, he is into the second year of his tertiary studies, and after graduating hopes to work in agrichemicals, fertiliser or manufacturing. Tom, 19, honed his dairy farming skills on his parents' farm, and is keen on calf rearing. His sporting endeavours include soccer, rowing and tennis. He is already thinking about developing biodigesters to use farm effluent to create heat and electricity.
Gemma Payne
Gemma is working towards a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, which she started in 2009 at Lincoln. She was raised on a fourth-generation intensive cropping farm in Canterbury, but has her sights set on animal genetics, crop improvement and sustainability. A qualified personal trainer, this former deputy head girl of St Andrews College took a gap year in Italy, motivating people to overcome obstacles and reach their goals. She wants to carry this through into the rural sector on her way to owning a beef and sheep farm. Gemma, 20, is a former national cycling champion (three times) and provincial boxing rep.
Calvin Ball
Calvin comes from Ruawai and manages a heavy sports schedule while maintaining excellent scholastic grades. Age 19, he is in his second year of study for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University. Raised to handle most aspects of farming on the family dairy farm in Northland, he enjoys rugby and cricket and is a black belt Shaolin Kempo exponent. He was head boy at Dargaville High School, and is keen to advance his postgraduate career as a farm consultant or fertiliser technical sales representative.
Erica Leadley
Erica Leadley is studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture at Lincoln University. She grew up on an intensive crop and sheep fattening property in Ashburton, and has also gained work experience as a milk harvester as well as undertaking a range of other general farming duties. Erica is excited about the opportunities awaiting her on completion of her degree, and will continue gaining industry-related work experience during her studies to help her determine a career path.
The Ballance Scholarship winners for 2008 are:
Jeremy Clayton
Jeremy Clayton has amassed considerable practical farm experience, working on his parents' dairy farm near Cambridge and also on a large-scale dairy farm near Ashburton. He also manages a lifestyle block for some elderly neighbours, helping out with shearing, chainsaw work, scrub clearing, spraying and drain cleaning. He also finds time to participate in a range of sports and cultural activities. Jeremy is studying for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University and has also been awarded a Lincoln University Future Leaders Scholarship.
Alex Opie
Alex Opie is the winner of the engineering scholarship offered by Ballance. As well as working on his family's sheep and beef farm in Te Kuiti, Alex has spent time as a presser in a shearing gang, and plays rugby and the drums. An A+ student, Alex is studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical/Electronic) at Canterbury University, and intends to pursue post-graduate studies in an area that contributes to the sustainability of energy sources.
Jeremy O'Reilly
Jeremy O'Reilly grew up on his family's dairy farm at Tirau, and has relief milked for other dairy farms in the district. He is studying for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. Jeremy has played a wide range of sports, including cricket, touch, volleyball, rugby, tennis, golf and cross-country, representing his school at many of these. While his long-term goal is to go farming, Jeremy would also like to work in the wider agricultural industry first, perhaps as a scientist or as a farm consultant.
Diana Selbie
Diana Selbie comes from Five Rivers, Southland, where her family run a sheep and beef farm. She is studying for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. As well as working on the family farm, Diana has spent time on other farm types, including a dairy farm and vineyard. An active sportsperson, Diana also plays the piano and is involved with several charities. Once she has graduated, Diana would like to work in the agricultural industry, perhaps even as a fertiliser rep!
Simon Topham
Simon Topham grew up on a dairy farm near Invercargill. As well as helping out on the home farm, Simon has worked for other dairy farmers, and has also worked as part of a shearing gang, to help fund his studies. Simon is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) and intends to continue working in the dairy industry, with the ultimate goal of running his own farm.
Sam Kane
In addition to the five scholarships listed above, Ballance has made a special award to Sam Kane. Sam completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Lincoln University in 2000, then went on to undertake a Masters of Agriculture and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois. In the past five years he has worked for the FAO and World Bank as a consultant, and for Mercy Corps International in Mongolia and Africa. He currently works as a farm manager in Wanaka and was awarded a place on the 2008 Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. Ballance has provided Sam with a special scholarship to support the research that he will undertake as part of the Kellogg programme.
The Ballance Scholarship winners for 2007 are:
Holly Andrewes
Holly, from Kerikeri, has been exposed to many aspects of the wider agricultural industry including research, dairy and drystock. An accomplished equestrian rider, Holly has just completed her first year at Massey University, where she is enrolled for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. On graduation, Holly intends to work in the Northland region focusing primarily on large animals.
Nicola Bennett
Nicola, from Otautau, grew up on a sheep and beef property and is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) at Lincoln University. As well as working on sheep and beef farms, Nicola works part-time for CRT in their seed department. On completion of her studies Nicola aims to be actively involved in the agricultural industry, possibly in the rural banking sector.
James Booker
James, from Te Aroha, grew up on the family dairy farm and has worked as a relief milker for other farms in the district. Studying for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University, James is firmly focused on developing a career in the agricultural industry, and has a particular interest in contributing to the dairy sector.
Peter Gardyne
Peter grew up on his family's sheep, beef and arable farm at Chatton, north of Gore. As well as working on the family farm, Peter has spent time working on dairy properties, other drystock farms and managing a crutching gang, giving him a broad appreciation of the farming business. Studying for a Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University, Peter is a member of Waitane Young Farmer Club and hopes to work his way up from stock manager to farm manager, with the ultimate goal of owning a farm himself.
Cameron Harris
Cameron grew up on a leading Northland dairy farm, and has since broadened his agricultural expereince by working in an orchid nursery. He has a strong interest in mechanical engineering, and aims to combine this with his passion for agriculture to advance the technologies currently in use on New Zealand farms. Cameron is in the second year of a Bachelor of Engineering at Waikato University, and intends to major in mechanical engineering.
Alexander Watson
Alexander has been awarded the Ballance scholarship for engineering studies. From Millers Flat, Roxburgh, Alex is studying at the University of Canterbury for a Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in chemical and process engineering. A keen sportsman and musician, Alex intends to apply his engineering skills to the agricultural industry on graduation.
The Ballance Scholarship winners for 2006 are:
Laura Kidd
Laura grew up on the family farm at Mangakino, helping out with milking and general farm work when not at school. She has already started studying for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University and spent the past summer working on a 750-cow dairy farm near Taupo to fund her studies. Once qualified, Laura hopes to pursue a career in either research or consultancy in the agricultural industry.
Rhys Hamilton
Rhys grew up on the family dairy farm near Oamaru and has worked as a relief milker for his parents and for other farmers in the region. A keen sportsman, Rhys also participates in drama and plays drums and bass guitar. Rhys will use his scholarship help fund his Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at Lincoln University. He intends to work in the dairy industry after graduating and hopes to own his own farm eventually.
Rebekah Sargent
Rebekah grew up on her parents' sheep and beef farm near Balclutha, and has already started work towards a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) degree at Lincoln University. The influx of dairy farms in the South Island has triggered her interest in this aspect of farming, and she hopes to pursue a consultancy career in the dairy industry.
Natalie McEwan
Natalie grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Wyndham. She holds a silver Duke of Edinburgh award and has multiple sporting and cultural interests. Natalie will be studying for a Bachelor of Engineering at Canterbury University, with a focus on chemical and process engineering, and a view to applying her skills to the primary industries.
The Ballance Scholarship winners for 2005 are:
Christine Lindsay
Christine, who is from Springhills, near Winton, grew up on the family sheep and deer farm and is about to start the third year of a Bachelor of Applied Science degree at Massey University. She plans to major in agriculture and go on to work in the rural sector.
Jim Stevenson
Jim grew up on his family's farm near Outram. He is about to start his second year at Lincoln University, where he is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture). Jim has spent his vacation time working on farms to offset the costs of a tertiary education. On graduating, he plans to work in the advisory sector, with the ultimate aim of owning a farm one day.
Brent Oliver
Masterton's Brent Oliver is in the final year of his four-year double degree, which will see him graduate with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and a Bachelor of Business, majoring in agri-business. A keen outdoorsman, Brent has supported himself through university by working on his father's pipfruit orchard, as a general hand on an Alfredton sheep and beef property, and for Brownrigg Agriculture as part of their cropping team. Brent's long-term goal is to own his own cropping and livestock enterprise, but in the interim he aims to specialise in pasture renovation, on a consulting and contracting basis.
Megan Birchall
Megan grew up on the family farm in the greater Reporoa district. She has always enjoyed farming and has worked as a labourer to fund her studies and gain more experience. This year, Megan will start a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in agriculture, a course that she hopes will see her reach her goal of working in either agricultural research or as a farm advisor.
Fritha Witton
Fritha Witton, who grew up on the family dairy farm near Reporoa, has spent time working to fund her studies, mainly as a relief milker. This year, Fritha begins study at Massey University with the aim of completing a degree in veterinary science. When she graduates, Fritha hopes to work in a rural practice as a large animal vet.
