Rural Bank Scholarship Program opens for 2021

The 2021 Program will support up to 15 first-time tertiary students looking to pursue studies in agriculture, agribusiness or related fields and who are passionate about making their contribution to the success of Australian agriculture.

Rural Bank has been supporting the next generation of agricultural talent for more than 25 years and is proud to again be offering scholarships to tertiary students. For the first time, the program has been expanded to students studying certificate, diploma and associate degree courses as well as students studying bachelor’s degrees.

Alexandra Gartmann, Rural Bank CEO said the program prioritises students from regional and rural Australia to help them pursue their study goals and career aspirations.

“Rural Bank’s Scholarship Program is tailored to support students in the next phase of their academic studies by removing some of the barriers faced by regional and rural students when accessing further education. We’re continuing to invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders and each year see further evidence of how our Rural Bank scholarships enable students to access opportunities,” Ms Gartmann said.

“The class of 2020 has experienced a year like no other, with many spending significant portions of the year studying online due to COVID-19. I’ve been truly inspired by their resilience and ability to adapt to new learning environments and expect we will see this cohort thrive as they go on to build successful careers in the Australian agricultural sector and affiliated industries.

“We’re always impressed with the calibre of applications we receive and are looking forward to uncovering new talent. The agriculture sector is a key driver of the Australian economy and demand for graduates will continue to be high,” Ms Gartmann concluded.

2017 Rural Bank scholarship recipient Victoria Kitschke says the scholarship helped her relocate to Adelaide from her family home on a beet cattle farm in the Mingbool region of South Australia to begin her veterinary studies.

“Receiving the scholarship from Rural Bank meant I was able to move away from home to study without having to take a gap year. It helped take away my financial stress and meant I could go straight into my Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine,” she said.

“I’ve now finished my Bachelor of Veterinary Bioscience and am studying a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Rural Bank has helped support me not just with my scholarship but with networking opportunities such as attending Women in Ag events. This allowed me to make connections which has helped me find clinical placements.”

“I’d strongly recommend people apply for the scholarship program, it’s been great both financially and professionally,” Ms Kitschke concluded.

The Rural Bank Scholarship Program supports students’ study-related expenses including accommodation costs, course materials and education related travel. Each scholarship is valued at $5,000 per year and, subject to academic performance and duration of course, the scholarship is extended for a second year of study.

The Rural Bank Scholarship Program is part of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship Program, which provides a range of scholarship opportunities to students and is one of the leading and best targeted privately funded scholarship programs in Australia.

Applications for the 2021 Rural Bank Scholarship Program are open until 27 January 2021.

For further information and to apply, please visit https://www.ruralbank.com.au/community/scholarship/

About Rural Bank

Rural Bank is a division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited and provides exceptional financial services, knowledge and leadership for Australian farmers to grow.

For an interview please contact:

Laura Henderson, Rural Bank                                     

M: 0448 910 127 I T: 03 8414 7676                               

E: laura.henderson@bendigoadelaide.com.au