New chicken meat scholarship to honour industry champion Gary Sansom
The Gary Sansom Postgraduate Scholarship is named in honour of Gary Sansom who passed away in March 2017. Mr Sansom was a long-standing supporter of programs encouraging new people in to the chicken meat industry and championed several communication and training initiatives vital to the industry.
AgriFutures Australia General Manager, Research and Innovation, Michael Beer said the scholarship was a fitting initiative to celebrate Mr Sansom’s commitment and involvement in the chicken meat industry.
“Enhancing the environmental management of meat chicken farms was one of Mr Sansom’s greatest achievements. Through grower communication he was able to drive strong biosecurity awareness and culture across the chicken farming sector,” said Mr Beer.
“His ability to get people from a range of perspectives (including growers, processors and governments) talking to progress issues with a common purpose gained the respect of the entire industry.”
Mr Sansom’s industry involvement started in the 1970s following a move to Brisbane, QLD where his family secured a contract to grow with Inghams. He recognised the opportunities chicken meat – a rapidly growing and dynamic industry – offered and became interested in contributing to the industry beyond his own front gate.
Australian Chicken Meat Federation Inc. Executive Director, Dr. Vivien Kite said the scholarship will support Mr Sansom’s vision for the industry – to ensure it is valued and respected by all sectors of the Australian community.
“The Gary Sansom Postgraduate Scholarship will develop leadership in the research community that supports Gary’s vision,” said Dr Kite.
“We are seeking a candidate who is a broad thinker, someone who wants to contribute to the Australian chicken meat industry and contribute long term, not just through the outcomes of their own research.”
Worth $35,000, the prestigious Gary Sansom Postgraduate Scholarship will seek to identify high quality students, foster a career pathway in the chicken meat industry and support industry relevant research.
The new scholarship is funded by the AgriFutures™ Chicken Meat Program and supported by industry. Postgraduate students and industry professionals with an interest in, and commitment to, the chicken meat industry are encouraged to apply.
Applications close midnight AEDT Monday, 9 April 2018
