TOP SIRE 2025–2026 INDUSTRY NEWS SCHOLARS READY TO SINK TEETH INTO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Established to honour the late Peter Westblade, who was passionate about supporting young people with an interest in agriculture, the Peter Westblade Scholarship exists to promote the practical skills associated with the sheep and wool industry. Recipients receive a 12-month scholarship program that delivers hands-on training as well as opportunities for travel and mentoring from industry innovators and leaders. The NSW SMBA is delighted to be a bronze sponsor of the program and wish 2025 scholars, Scott Macpherson and Grace Kaveney, all the best for an inspirational year of learning ahead. Scott Macpherson has always had a passion for agriculture. He spent his childhood on a farm, building dreams of buying a slice of land for himself one day. “My partner and I had a plan to buy one before we had kids but we hit a point post-Covid and the price of land had gone crazy,” he said. Not wanting to give up on the dream of his own kids growing up on a farm, Scott started working at Cavan Station, near Yass, where he is now the overseer. When asked what he’s most passionate about, Scott said, “seeing results that come from the efforts of breeding high quality Merinos”. He’s always had a passion for sheep and an eagerness to learn, so when applications opened for the Peter Westblade Scholarship, his partner pushed him to give it a go. “I’d like to get really good and well rounded at classing stock, knowing good stock and how to improve the quality of them,” he said. Scott’s was looking forward to spending time with other managers and learning things to “add to the toolbox”. Scott’s advice to other young people in the industry is to “be a sponge”. “Ask questions, listen and learn,” he said. “Sink your teeth in; you’ll always be rewarded for your efforts.” Grace Kaveney is a livestock manager, based at Thuddungra near Young, who shares a strong passion for the agriculture industry and the people who work in it. “The sheep and wool industry has been the backbone for my passion and involvement in the agricultural industry, offering so many amazing opportunities for my career development,” she wrote in her scholarship application. One of the things that drew her to apply for the scholarship was the opportunity for mentorship from some of the industry’s leaders. “The aim of my application was to seek professional mentorship, skill development and post-farm gate exposure in the sheep and wool industry.” Photo captions. 1– Peter Westblade Scholarship winners Grace Kaveney and Scott Macpherson with chairman Joe Waldon (centre). 2– Scott Macpherson is looking forward to spending time with other managers and learning things to “add to the toolbox” during his 12-month scholarship. 3– Grace Kaveney is looking forward to mentorship from some of the sheep and wool industry’s leaders. 1– 2– 3– – 15 –
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1