Scholarship program awards two young leaders in the horticultural industry

2/5/95

Two young leaders in the horticultural industry were today awarded education and leadership development scholarships by Primary Industry Minister Monty House.

The scholarship program is a new thrust by the Minister to boost leadership, communication skills, develop agribusiness expertise and improve organisational planning among young people involved in the business of agriculture.

"The standard of applications received was of an extremely high quality and it was a hard choice to decide to whom to award sponsorship to attend the highly acclaimed six-day rural leadership program at Marcus Oldham Farm Management College in Victoria," Mr House said.

The Minister announced that Mr Alex Ferraro, a Bachelor of Business (Horticulture) graduate from Curtin University would receive the scholarship.

"Mr Ferraro, 21, hails from a family of orchardists in the Roleystone area and has worked very hard to combine industry experience with his postgraduate studies in Business (Marketing) at Curtin University," he said.

"Alex is a young person who clearly has a strong commitment to a career in agribusiness and improving the performance of horticultural produce on the international market.

"He has openly displayed a determination to be a strong and capable leader in the fruit growing industry and I am more than happy to support his efforts."

The sponsorship includes air travel to Victoria in July and all course fees for the recipient.

As a result of the number of excellent applicants, Mr House also announced a scholarship for $7,000 to contribute towards the horticultural studies of Mr Mark Downey at the University of Western Australia.

The award is an annual rural industry scholarship in horticultural science.

"Mr Downey has an excellent academic record and has shown a strong commitment towards a career in horticulture," Mr House said.

"Like all sectors of agriculture, it is very important to encourage the development of a new generation of leaders for the horticultural industry."

The successful candidates were chosen after Mr House called for applications from the WA fruit-growing industry late in 1994.

Media contact:  Will Henwood 481 2044