Update – From the Angus Foundation

Jake Phillips, Breed Development Officer

The Angus Foundation provides a mechanism for members and other beef industry stakeholders to support youth development, education and research programs conducted by Angus Australia.

These programs are designed to encourage and assist the involvement of young people in the Australian beef industry, to provide professional development opportunities for young beef breeders, and to assist in conducting research, development and educational programs for the benefit of Angus breeders and the wider Australian beef industry. The Foundation is governed by a committee of the Angus Australia Board, with advice from the current Angus Australian Consultative Committees including members and other industry participants with an interest in assisting with the Foundation’s activities. The Angus Foundation is primarily funded through the voluntary levy paid by Angus Australia members when paying their annual membership. To date, the Angus Foundation has provided funds to support Angus Australia’s Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries program and is very proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Angus Foundation Research Grant for 2022. The Angus Australia Research Grant is awarded to undergraduate and post-graduate students enrolled in a higher degree at a university or other recognised educational institutions. During 2021 the Angus Foundation has been active in funding assistance to provide scholarships, awards and bursaries to the Beef Australia 2021 scholarship (Georgia Laurie, Jock Mcgregor and Damian Thomson), the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course (Candina Crowden, Charlotte Nugent, Hamish Smith, Kristen Fredericksen and Liam Mowbray) and the ALFA SmartBeef conference (Georgia Laurie and Phoebe Christie). Successful applicants will soon be notified to attend the LivEXCHANGE 21 conference in Darwin in November. In addition to these scholarships, the Achmea GenAngus Future Leaders program is fast becoming a flagship program for younger members of Angus Australia and the Angus Foundation once again has contributed significantly to the capacity of the event. The workshop is a three-day intensive program designed to give members insights and business skills presented by some of Australia’s most high-profile speakers. The Achmea GenAngus Future Leaders program is planned to take place between 2nd and 4th of November with successful applicants to be announced through September. Unfortunately, with current COVID -19 related cancellations and postponements of several industry courses and conferences the recipients of the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course scholarship and the ALFA Smartbeef conference have been provided their award in lieu and will be able to take up their opportunity in 2022. Angus Australia is constantly monitoring the evolving events and face to face activities traditionally undertaken with considerations towards offering industry leading and relevant scholarships and educational opportunities. Covid-19 has proved difficult to deliver our normal array of scholarships, awards and bursaries that the Angus Foundation support, however we are working on options for the near future that reduce the risk of COVID-19 related cancellations and importantly new initiatives to be implemented when travel and event restrictions become more predictable and safer to manage. If you would like more information about the Angus Foundation or to become a partner of the Angus Foundation to assist in delivering the scholarships, awards and bursaries program, please contact Angus Australia Breed Development Officer Jake Phillips or visit the Angus Foundation tab on the Angus Australia Website.