16 May 2001 Tai Tapu student among first of NZ dairying scholarship winners

Lincoln University commerce student Annabel Macartney of Tai Tapu has joined eight other Lincoln undergraduates in receiving the first of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Scholarships for studies in dairying and related areas.

Annabel, a past pupil of Rangi Ruru, is the daughter of Jenny and Jim Macartney of Rosevilla Farm, Tai Tapu, and is in the first year of Bachelor of Commerce (Food) studies at Lincoln.

The scholarships were presented at Lincoln University by Dr Rob Pringle of Hamilton, CEO of the dairy industry's centre of excellence, Dexcel Ltd.

Earlier this year the Dairy Board announced the establishment of an academic scholarship programme to support education within the flourishing dairy industry. Fifteen scholarships are being awarded this year - nine to Lincoln students and six to students at Massey University.

The other scholarship winners at Lincoln are Amy Lucas of Te Parae, Gary Breen, Elliot Scott and John McPhail all of Southland, Guy Metcalf of Geraldine, Mark Ludemann of Kakanui, Gregory Petersen of Otaki and Christopher Will of Palmerston North.

The 15 Lincoln and Massey winners were selected from 55 candidates for the awards.

The scholarships apply to bachelors degrees with dairying related connections and they are tenable for up to four years with a value equal to the students' course tuition fees.

"The scholarships are an expression of the dairy industry's commitment to the development of dairying in New Zealand," says Dr Pringle.

"The students awarded the scholarships today will have an opportunity to work in New Zealand's largest single industry and contribute to an activity that is leading the export growth of the New Zealand economy."

Dexcel, the dairy industry's centre of excellence headed by Dr Pringle, exists to coordinate and promote dairy research, extension and education to help the industry achieve, in a sustainable way, its target of a 4 percent increase in productivity per annum.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.