ELIZABETH McClymont from Goondiwindi will receive a $5000 education scholarship as the winner of the inaugural Gus McGown bursary.
AgForce president Grant Maudsley said Ms McClymont was chosen because of her commitment to the future of Queensland agriculture.
“Elizabeth is currently studying her final year of animal science with a major in livestock production at the University of New England,” Mr Maudsley said.
“I hope this helps her further her career in agriculture, but will also give us all a chance to remember Gus McGown, one of Queensland’s finest graziers.”
Gus McGown passed away in 2014 after a long-running battle with cancer. He was well recognised for his lasting commitment to rural industry through farm groups.
Elizabeth McClymont who comes from Morennan, Goondiwindi, said it was a great honour to be awarded the bursary and to be associated with Gus McGown and his significant contribution to the agricultural industry.
“My upbringing on a cropping and grazing property north-east of Goondiwindi has fueled my commitment and desire to develop a long term career in the Australian and international agricultural industry,” she said.
“Along with my studies I am currently completing an honours program where I am looking at how different hormone growth promotants impact meat eating quality in beef cattle.”
Mr Maudsley said the bursary aimed to reward a student with links to AgForce’s Southern Inland Queensland region with funding to assist tuition fees for an accredited qualification, undergraduate study or post graduate levels within Australia.
"The bursary will also include a four-week AgForce internship to provide exposure to agri-political advocacy across the three AgForce commodities, communications, projects teams and school-to-industry partnerships program,” Mr Maudsley said.
“Gus was a leader in agriculture in Queensland and this is a recognition of the enormous amount of work he did for producers in the areas of vegetation, carbon and landscape management and land tenure.
“In his roles as industry representative and advocate, he was a valued contributor to a range of AgForce, government and NGO boards and committees and developed respect among many stakeholders who constantly sought his and opinions on pastoral land management.
“Gus spent the majority of his life tending to sheep on his beloved property Jhelum Plains, near Bollon, while representing the grazing sector with his enormous intellect and wisdom.”
The bursary is sponsored by the Maranoa Graziers Trust and administered by AgForce.
