2022 Rural Scholarship recipients

BRYCE AND DARBY MCCLAREN
NAGAMBIE

Brothers Darby and Bryce McClaren are on their way to achieving their dream careers in the Agriculture industry after being awarded the 2022 Bendigo Bank Nagambie Rural Scholarship which they were able to put towards the cost of their studies at Yanco Agricultural High School in NSW. 

For Bryce’s first year at Yanco and he has received $2,500 towards his studies which he has put towards school fees and supplies. “As you would expect, the uniform requirements for an Agricultural High School are a bit different to a regular secondary school. We have three uniforms; Formal, which includes a blazer, tie and akubra hat, Travel, which includes a polo shirt, blue jeans and school jacket and our agriculture practical uniform which is long sleeved work shirt, jumper, long khaki work pants with leather boots and a hat to meet the OH&S requirements of working outside on the farm with stock.” Bryce said. 

The bank’s Board of Directors were also pleased to award Darby a further Scholarship of $500 after being impressed with his commitment to his studies. Darby was in Year 10 at Yanco in 2022 and has previously received a Rural Scholarship from Bendigo Bank Nagambie. “I am very grateful to Bendigo Bank in supporting me to fulfill my dreams and study Agriculture at Yanco Agricultural High School. It is hard going to school so far from home and the support from Bendigo Bank provides through the Rural Scholarship really helps.” Darby said.

2021 Rural Scholarship recipient

CAITLYN RIDGWAY
AVENEL

Caitlyn is currently studying a Bachelor of Business (agribusiness) at Marcus Oldham College in Waurn Ponds Geelong and has a passion for all things agriculture, particularly the financial aspect of managing a farm.

“Once I have completed my bachelor in Agribusiness, I hope to obtain a job within the rural finance sector, specifically working closely with farmers to help them manage their productivity. I have a passion for all things numbers and livestock, so I hope to obtain a position working with budgets and livestock schedules and planning.” Caitlyn said.

Caitlyn will use the Scholarship towards payment of her accommodation fees at Marcus Oldham. “I am incredibly grateful to have received this scholarship as it allows me to worry less about the financial side of studying and focus more on my education. It also allows me to have more study time over weekends instead of having to work. Thank you so much to the Nagambie Bendigo Bank.” Caitlyn said.

2020 Rural Scholarship Recipients

TIANNA STABLES
HEATHCOTE

Tianna has chosen to attend Bendigo TAFE to complete her Certificate 3 in Agriculture and says the scholarship will be a ‘really great help’.

Tianna is passionate about a career in agriculture and says that she has chosen her particular course as it will enable her to work on any farm or station.

“The Scholarship will help me a lot with the cost of travel to and from campus” Tianna says. “It’s come at a perfect time for me as my weekend job has ceased due to Covid-19 so I am currently without income”.

“I am extremely grateful to Heathcote & District Community Bank for this support towards achieving my dream of a career in Agriculture.” Tianna said.

DARBY MCCLAREN
NAGAMBIE

Darby has chosen to attend Yanco Agricultural High School in Yanco NSW. Yanco is a state specialist high school dedicated to studying agriculture. Darby has always known that he wanted to work in agriculture once completing school and hopes to one day be a Stock and Station Agent.

Darby says “It will be a great challenge to attend a high school in a different state”. Unfortunately Victoria doesn’t have any dedicated state specialist high schools for Agriculture. “Currently my biggest challenge is studying online remotely whilst we are dealing with the Covid-19 social isolation.”

“The Scholarship will help me with costs incurred to set up for online learning. When we return to school some of the money will be used to cover uniform and Boarding costs and the remaining will be set aside to cover costs to attend shows and events with the school in the future” Darby says.

“I am extremely grateful to Nagambie branch of Bendigo Bank for supporting a local resident such as myself towards achieving my dream of a career in Agriculture. I hope to be able to bring my Agricultural skills back to our region and work locally with our farming communities in the future. Thank you once again Nagambie branch of Bendigo Bank, you really are the Bank that supports the community.” Darby says.

2019 Rural Scholarship Recipient

TOM DANDO

On behalf of our customers Tom received $3,000 towards his studies in a Diploma of Viticulture/Certificate IV Horticulture through GOTAFE Wangaratta.

Tom started working in the wine industry in 2017 for a harvest with Silver Spoon Estate and has been working for them ever since.

“I love vineyard work as it is out in nature and working in the earth. Wine is something I love and especially Heathcote's wine. It's great to be part of a wine region that punches so far above its weight.”

“This is what I see myself doing for the rest of my life. I hope to one day run my own vineyard and winery here in Heathcote. This Scholarship means so much to me. It's a real honour and such a great thing for Community Bank Heathcote & District Branch and Bendigo Bank Nagambie Branch to be doing for the the local community." Tom said.