Are you tomorrow’s leader in the Australian Beef Industry? Do you know someone who will be a leader tomorrow in the Australian Beef Industry? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then the Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) together with Fairfax Rural Media (Fairfax) are offering the opportunity for two people involved in the beef supply chain, aged between 21 and 40 to attend a one-week Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership program at the Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, Victoria at the end of next month.

Who is eligible?
• Applicants must be between the ages of 21-40 years in the year the scholarship is awarded.
• Applicants must be an Australian citizen.
• Preference will be given to those in or going into commercial cattle production

Conditions of applications
• Applicants must be available to attend the course 29th June to 4th July this year.
• An applicant who has previously attended the Marcus Oldham Leadership Course in this or any other capacity is ineligible for this scholarship.

Administration of scholarship
• ABIF and Fairfax will be offering financial support and Marcus Oldham College providing the course.
• ABIF and Fairfax will form a panel of independent local people to assess the applications.
• The panel members must not be related by family or employment to the applicants.

Selection process
• All applications will be strictly confidential.
• Assessment of all criteria will provide information toward selection.
• If in the opinion of the selection panel no suitable application is received, the scholarship will not be awarded.
• The decision of the panel will be final and a majority ruling applies.

Selection criteria– please limit responses to approx. 150 words
1. History of education and/or employment.
2. Explain how this course would be useful in your current and/or future work plans
3. How can you see yourself using the skills learnt in this course to benefit the beef industry, and/or its people and
/or your community?
4. Any other information about yourself you think we should know about to help your application.

Additional information:
• Name:
• Date of birth:
• Copy of proof of Australian residency: (birth certificate, passport etc..)
• Phone number:
• Email address:
• Current postal and living address:
• Current employer’s name and work address:

Details of the program are available at www.marcusoldham.vic.edu.au/morlp.

If you would like to discuss the opportunity please call John Gunthorpe, Chairman of ABIF on 0400 403 456.

Closing date: COB Thursday 19th June 2014
Email: info@abif.com.au

All applicants will be advised of the outcome so that arrangements can be made.

The Simon Gubbins Scholarship for 2014 has been awarded to Alice Lodge from Gerogery West in New South Wales. Alice is a fourth year student at University of New England, studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science majoring in plant production. In addition to this Alice is involved in a number of agricultural groups with a focus on youth activities. Namely, Alice is the vice chairperson for the Angus Youth Roundup 2015.

Alice is thrilled to be given the opportunity to travel to Lincoln University to study, with her grandfather being an ex Lincoln student and also having roots in New Zealand.
“I am so excited to be awarded the Simon Gubbins scholarship and would like to thank the Gubbins family for their investment in my future”, Alice said.

Sponsored by the Old Murroa Partnership, the Simon Gubbins Scholarship provides annually an Australian student with the opportunity to study a Degree or Diploma of Agriculture course at the prestigious Lincoln University in New Zealand. The Scholarship is also open to a student looking to undertake post graduate study.

The Gubbins family, Old Murroa Partnership, Hamilton, Victoria are once again proud to be sponsoring the scholarship. Named after the late Simon Gubbins, Jenny and John Gubbins said, “We feel this is something Simon would be very happy with”.

Simon’s sister Georgina was a member of this year’s interview panel and said, “The standard of applicants was high but Alice stood out as the applicant with a rich passion for the industry and engaging youth. We feel that Alice will gain a wealth of experience in New Zealand and importantly will in future be a leader in Australian Agriculture”.

Simon Gubbins studied agriculture at Lincoln College (now Lincoln University) in New Zealand, was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 1997 and went on to serve on the selection panel for that scholarship.

“Simon was a very strong supporter of ABIF and its aims of inspiring beef industry careers, and was one of the first seedstock breeders in Australia to donate the proceeds from the sale of a bull at his annual sale to ABIF” Frank Archer, ABIF director said.

This scholarship represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for Alice. Lincoln University is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading agricultural educational institutions. Lincoln University is situated in the middle of the Canterbury Plains, a rich agricultural production area and home to many of New Zealand and the world’s most innovative producers. “Alice will not only receive a tertiary education but will be engaged in a life changing experience”, Frank Archer concluded.

Contact: Frank Archer Director- Australian Beef Industry Foundation

Email: frank@landfall.com.au

Mobile: 0417 506 163

Contact: Alice Lodge Scholarship Recipient

Email: alodge2@myune.edu.au

Mobile: 0400 536 055

Contact: Georgina Gubbins Representative- Gubbins Family

Email: gubbins.g@bigpond.com

Mobile: 0417 311 561

19/05/2014

Media Release

Applicants sought for the annual Simon Gubbins Scholarship

The Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) is once again seeking applicants for the Simon Gubbins Scholarship.

Sponsored by the Old Murroa Partnership, the Simon Gubbins Scholarship provides annually an Australian student with the opportunity to study a Degree or Diploma of Agriculture course at the prestigious Lincoln University in New Zealand. The Scholarship is also open to a student looking to undertake post graduate study.

The Gubbins family, Old Murroa Partnership, Hamilton, Victoria are once again proud to be sponsoring the scholarship. Named after the late Simon Gubbins, Jenny and John Gubbins said, “We feel this is something Simon would be very happy with”.

“It is entirely appropriate that this scholarship, aimed at producing industry leaders, should be named after such an outstanding agricultural leader as Simon Gubbins” Frank Archer, Director of ABIF said. “Simon, who died in 2003, became a preeminent industry leader and was an exceptional custodian of the land where he developed his property Old Murroa in Western Victoria into a model agricultural enterprise.”

Simon Gubbins studied agriculture at Lincoln College (now Lincoln University) in New Zealand, was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 1997 and went on to serve on the selection panel for that scholarship. In addition he was a District Councillor of the Victorian Farmers Federation, President of the Grasslands Society of Victoria, President of the Hamilton Branch of the Beef Improvement Association, a director of the Australian Beef Association, Chairman of Rural Industries Skills Training and a member of the Melbourne University Faculty of Agriculture advisory.

“Simon was a very strong supporter of ABIF and its aims of inspiring beef industry careers, and was one of the first seedstock breeders in Australia to donate the proceeds from the sale of a bull at his annual sale to ABIF” Mr Archer said.

The Simon Gubbins Scholarship will be awarded by a selection panel to be chaired by a representative of the Gubbins family and applications for the 2014 Simon Gubbins Scholar are now open.

This scholarship represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for a young Australian agriculturist. Lincoln University is widely recognised a one of the world’s leading agricultural educational institutions. Lincoln University is situated in the middle of the Canterbury Plains, a rich agricultural production area and home to many of New Zealand’s most innovative producers. “The successful applicant will not only receive a tertiary education but will be engaged in a life changing experience”, Frank Archer concluded.

Simon Gubbins Scholarship Regulations and Application Form

Contact: Frank Archer

Director- Australian Beef Industry Foundation

Email: frank@landfall.com.au

Mobile: 0417 506 163

2/12/2013         

ABIF ANZ Rural Leaders

 Media Release

Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) seeking applicants for the ANZ and ABIF Rural Leadership Scholarship

ABIF is calling for applications from those interested in pursuing leadership positions in the beef industry to apply for the ANZ/ ABIF Rural Leadership Scholarship to attend the 2014 Kellogg Rural Leaders Program at Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Lincoln University Agriculture faculty is world renowned for the scope of its activities. Many Australians now in industry leadership positions achieved their tertiary training at Lincoln, including those who have attended the Leaders Program.

ABIF is very fortunate to have partnered with the ANZ Bank to make this Trans Tasman scholarship available to young Australians who are keen to enhance their leadership qualifications and bring this training to bear in productive careers in Australian Agriculture, particularly in the Australian beef industry.

Full details of the scholarship are available in the accompanying advertisement and on the ABIF website at

www.abif.com.au

ABIF Chairman John Gunthorpe said “There are many members of the Lincoln Alumni now in leadership positions in agriculture and agribusiness in Australia, and this scholarship represents an outstanding opportunity for someone to join this cohort of contributors to a major component of the Australian national economy”.

The recipient of this scholarship will be the second Australian to attend the prestigious Kellogg Rural Leaders Program at Lincoln University. Mary Johnson is the 2013 Kellogg Rural Leader Scholar and returns to Lincoln University later this year to complete the programme.

Applications for this scholarship close on Friday 11th October. Further information is available from info@abif.com.au

Contact: John Gunthorpe, Chairman ABIF Scholarship Committee

E: jgunthorpe@bigpond.com T: 0400 403 456

13th September 2013

We are pleased to advise that the Lincoln University Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme 2014 is now open to applications for the ANZ and ABIF Rural Leadership Scholarship Program.

Further information and application forms are available at www.lincoln.ac.nz/krlp

The Class of 2013

(l to r) Bronte James (Katherine, NT), Ashley Kirk (Rockley Brahman Stud, Rockhampton) James Beale (Newcastle Waters Station, NT), Kirsty-Lee Fogarty (Palmer Valley Station, NT) Steven Pocock (Goonoo Feedlot, Queensland), Jess Rogers (Queensland), Steven Batterham (Hagley, Tasmania)

HV McKay Trust Scholars – James Beale, Newcastle Waters Station, Northern Territory – Ashley Kirk, Rockley Brahman Stud, Rockhampton, Queensland

Fairfax Agricultural Media Scholars – Steven Pocock, Goonoo Feedlot, Comet, Queensland – Steven Batterham, Hagley, Tasmania

Territory Rural/ Centralian Beef Breeders Association Scholar – Kirsty-Lee Fogarty, Palmer Valley Station, NT

Future Farmers Network Scholars – Bronte James, Katherine, NT – Jess Rogers, Queensland

The Board of the Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) have conferred Life Membership on Brian Mobbs in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Foundation as its founding Chairman.

In making the presentation at a dinner at Marcus Oldham College on 25^th June the current ABIF Chairman John Gunthorpe said “Brian’s vision in developing the Foundation from its early status as an Angus Youth activity into an independent Australian organisation concentrating on inspiring careers in the national beef industry has been implemented with a drive and passion that has resulted in ABIF becoming a major provider of scholarships and bursaries for 18 to 30 year old students seeking to pursue rewarding careers in agriculture”

“During Brian’s tenure as Chairman he was responsible for virtually all the Foundations fund raising and following his retirement from that role he has continued to actively support all of ABIF’s on-going activities” Mr. Gunthorpe said.

The ceremony to award Brian Mobbs with Life Membership was conducted as part of the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program. In accepting the award Mr Mobbs acknowledged how appropriate it was to combine the award ceremony with the Marcus Oldham Leadership Program because ABIF was once again providing scholarships for seven young people from all over Australia to attend the program.  

Mr Mobbs said how pleased he was to have been able to contribute to the development of an organisation that could assist such outstanding young people as the ABIF Scholars attending the Marcus Oldham leadership program.

(l to r) John Gunthorpe (ABIF Chairman), Ivan Pike (Merial Australia)

Brian and Theresa Mobbs

The 2013 Merial Howard W Yelland Award for outstanding service to the Australian beef industry was presented to pioneer Wagyu breeder David Blackmore whose Blackmore Wagyu business is situated on the Goulburn River flats at Alexandra, Victoria.

The award is presented by the Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) in conjunction with Marcus Oldham College, Geelong and is sponsored by Merial Australia.

The award was presented to David Blackmore in recognition of his contribution to the Australian beef industry as a pioneer of the Wagyu breed in Australia and his promotion of Australian Wagyu branded product in both domestic and export markets. His commitment to sustainable farming involving financial viability, respect for the environment, strong ethical standards in animal welfare and a passion for creating the best in the world emphasises his role as an industry leader prepared to share his knowledge and experience for the benefit of the industry.

In presenting the award Sam Inglis, Director of Farm Business Management and Corporate Training Marcus Oldham College said “A visit to USA in 1988 and a chance meeting at Texas A&M resulted in Blackmore’s access to pure blood Japanese genetics that represented the major blood lines of the Japanese breed. Blackmore Wagyu are pioneers in the development of the breed in Australia being the only breeder using the traditional Japanese style rations and all the Japanese traditions and heritage of the breed. David has spent years researching Wagyu history, bloodlines and animal husbandry, and has been one of the few Westerners invited to Japanese Agricultural research centres, Universities, AI centres, prominent breeder farms and feed and processing facilities in Japan”

The Blackmore business currently produces in excess of 1000 pure bred calves per year through embryo transfer. On a combination of owned and leased property Blackmore Wagyu run in excess of 3000 full blood Wagyu including 1200 breeding cows.

Blackmore Wagyu Beef is a family business operated by David, his wife Julie. Son Ben is the Marketing Manager and daughter Danielle the IT expert. Blackmore Wagyu is an award winning product that is sold to gourmet butchers and high-end restaurants domestically and is exported to 14 overseas markets. It is a fully integrated business that breeds, feeds and markets its total production.

The food industry has recognised David’s contribution with a number of major awards.

The award is made annually and is in recognition of Howard W Yelland, a pioneer in the industry through his championing of objective selection and performance recording in the Australian Beef Industry. His championing of objective selection and his contribution to performance recording spanned a lifetime. His family commenced objective selection in the early 1900’s,began weighing cattle in 1910 and recording the results in 1960.

Howard Yelland built his herd selection program around measurement. The Glen Trevor herd was among the first beef herds in Australia to make selection and breeding decisions based on performance; well before the days of on farm electronic weighing scales, computerised ear tags and data terminal uploads. Howard Yelland would truck bulls to the local rail siding to use the railway weigh bridge to measure their growth rates. All records were calculated and recorded manually and decisions for mating groups made on this data, a long cry from the vast data base of information which now underpins the objective selection of beef cattle in this country and around the world.

The Merial Howard Yelland Beef Industry award seeks to recognise individuals who have given service to the Beef Industry “above and beyond” their normal role.

(l to r) John Gunthorpe (ABIF Chairman) David Blackmore, Ivan Pike (Merial Australia),

Julie Blackmore, Sam Inglis (Marcus Oldham College)