I grew up in Ballarat, and always had a menagerie of animals around. I felt very strongly drawn to agriculture from a young age and jumped at the opportunity to become involved in Ballarat Grammar’s Agriculture program in Year 10. I started a small business raising quail for eggs and meat in high school. I was fortunate enough to receive a Victorian Premier’s Award in 2018 for Agricultural and Horticultural Studies, and the following year I began studying Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University. I have had a number of jobs in the agricultural industry, including pruning vines in vineyards, “farm sitting,” and working at grain sites during harvest across NSW and Victoria.
My interest is really piqued by opportunities to improve animal production efficiency and profit outcomes in enterprises, but I am most passionate about animal welfare. I would love to work in a rural mixed veterinary practice when I graduate, so that I can continue to actively participate and contribute to rural and remote communities.
It feels surreal to have been awarded a Horizon Scholarship. I’m pinching myself! I’m most looking forward to meeting new people, expanding my horizons and taking every opportunity to improve my personal skillset. It is such a huge privilege to get straight into working in intensive production systems with my sponsor Baiada Poultry. I am so excited to get my foot in the door, as I previously felt like this industry was out of reach for me.