The 2011 UQ Gatton Past Students Association Scholarship has been awarded to first year agricultural science student Danille Fox.
The scholarship will provide Ms Fox with financial assistance to the value of $5,000 per year for the rest of her undergraduate studies.
She said receiving the scholarship was a great personal achievement.
"My passion for working with animals began when I was a young girl as I have grown up on our family property which has allowed me to work with animals every day,” she said.
"I love outback life and since I've begun studying agricultural science at UQ, I've realised that the opportunities and careers associated with agriculture are endless and so important to Australia.
"This scholarship and support is a tremendous assistance and really encouraging to make my dream of becoming a rural vet a reality."
The award was presented at a dinner with committee members from the UQ Gatton Past Students Association, where Ms Fox met previous scholarship recipients veterinary science student, Temika Nooteboom and applied science student, Caitlin Frohloff.
Over the last five years, the UQ Gatton Past Students Association has spent $50,000 supporting five students through their university studies.
UQ Gatton Past Students Association President Graham McClymont said the motivation behind the scholarship was to help out students at the beginning of their careers and also to attract people into the agricultural industry.
“The members of our association all got a lot out of studying on the Gatton Campus so we would like to see more students beginning their careers here,” he said.
“The agricultural industry is calling out for graduates so we would like to do what we can to attract more people into this field as we know the payoffs are rewarding.
“We are overjoyed that this scholarship has helped five students so far with their studies and we’re looking forward to helping as many as we can with the money we have raised."
For more information on the scholarship visit http://www.uq.edu.au/gatton/?page=148337
Media: Erin Pearl (UQ Gatton Marketing and Communications; 07 5460 1229 or e.pearl@uq.edu.au)
