Tertiary Scholarships

Gardiner Foundation is proud to offer tertiary scholarships to up to seven individuals residing in Victorian dairy communities. Students must be commencing studies in 2025 to pursue a career that will either directly benefit the dairy industry and/or benefit dairy communities. Each scholarship is worth $10,000 per year and is available for the first three years of a scholar’s University or TAFE course.

The Gardiner Foundation tertiary scholarships are named in recognition of services contributed to the dairy industry by Niel Black, Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle and Doug Weir.

Gardiner has been providing these scholarships since 2008, having awarded 82 scholarships with a total value of over $1.9 million. A recent review indicated that over 70% of past scholars have gone on to live in and contribute to the dairy industry and dairy communities. Gardiner invests in emerging leaders and practices to help develop a long-term future for the dairy industry. Supporting rural people beginning tertiary study through our scholarship program contributes to achieving this goal.

The Victorian dairy industry is an exciting industry with a multitude of career opportunities, employing approximately 50,000 people in diverse jobs ranging from engineering to international trade.

Eligible applications are:

  • Pursuing a career through their chosen course that will either directly benefit the dairy industry and/or benefit dairy communities.
  • Commencing their first year of full-time tertiary study in 2025 on campus (University or TAFE).
  • Required to move away from home to take up their chosen course.
  • Australian citizen.
  • Currently residing in a Victorian dairy region.

Applications will be assessed and shortlisted on the following criteria:

  • Potential to make a positive contribution to the Victorian dairy industry or its rural communities.
  • Academic commitment and achievement.
  • Personal development and community involvement.

Selection process

Applications will be shortlisted accordingly by mid-December. 

Shortlisted applicants will need to supply their ATAR (VCE) score upon receipt (expected on 12 December 2024) and notification of university offer (first round available on 10 January 2025).  Upon receipt of ATAR scores and university offers, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview mid-late January 2025. 

Applications are now open and must be submitted by 5pm, Monday, 25 November 2024.


Read about our scholars

When opportunity knocks: Hamish Smith’s agribusiness journey

Hamish grew up on a dairy farm in Saint Germains, a small rural locality near Kyabram. In 2023, he became a Neil Black Tertiary Scholar, and recieves $10,000 annually to support costs associated with his studies.

Maffra’s Maya Osborne-Coleman excels in agricultural science studies

In 2022, Maya received the Shirley Harlock scholarship from Gardiner Foundation – now she is leveraging her academic journey to deepen her involvement in the dairy industry.

Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholarship applications now open for 2025

Students from Victorian dairy communities who plan to start their tertiary studies in 2025 are invited to apply for one of seven Tertiary Scholarships. Each scholar will receive $10,000 annually for three years.

ACL rupture and farming life leads scholar to help her dairy community

At age seven, Libby Clymo’s doctor told her she was the youngest person he’d ever known to present with a fully ruptured ACL. It was a simple skid off her bike during a family holiday that caused the injury and set the course for her career.

Gardiner Foundation award tertiary scholarships to seven Victorian students

Seven students from Victorian dairy regions, commencing their first year of tertiary study in 2024, have been honoured with scholarships from the Gardiner Foundation. Each scholar will receive $10,000 annually for three years.

New Zealand Study Tour to Develop Future Dairy Industry Leaders

  Gardiner Foundation is inviting young dairy leaders to apply for the 2024 Gardiner Foundation New Zealand Study Tour to explore the best of the New Zealand Dairy industry and develop their leadership skills in the process. With sponsorship from…