The Gary Sansom Postgraduate Scholarship is named in honour of Gary Sansom who passed away in March 2017. Mr Sansom was a long-standing supporter of programs encouraging new people in to the chicken meat industry and championed several communication and training initiatives vital to the industry.
AgriFutures Australia General Manager, Research and Innovation, Michael Beer said the scholarship was a fitting initiative to celebrate Mr Sansom’s commitment and involvement in the chicken meat industry.
“Enhancing the environmental management of meat chicken farms was one of Mr Sansom’s greatest achievements. Through grower communication he was able to drive strong biosecurity awareness and culture across the chicken farming sector,” said Mr Beer.
“His ability to get people from a range of perspectives (including growers, processors and governments) talking to progress issues with a common purpose gained the respect of the entire industry.”
Mr Sansom’s industry involvement started in the 1970s following a move to Brisbane, QLD where his family secured a contract to grow with Inghams. He recognised the opportunities chicken meat – a rapidly growing and dynamic industry – offered and became interested in contributing to the industry beyond his own front gate.
