Cottoning on to a vibrant career

Metropolitan students eager to study Agriculture at UNE and work in the cotton industry can now apply for a new scholarship financed by Cotton Australia and the Upper Namoi Growers’ Association.

The two-year, $10,000 scholarship for a second-year undergraduate in an Agriculture-related degree aims to inspire city-born students to explore the variety of careers available in the thriving industry.

Cotton Australia Educational Coordinator Jenny Hughes says the Australian cotton industry is at the forefront of technological innovation and employs about 12,000 people.

“The mean average age of a cotton grower is younger and younger these days, and this is a more diverse industry than most people imagine,” she says. “Most people do not actually work on farm; they work at cotton gins, in agronomy, transport, marketing and banking.

“Some 90% of Australia’s cotton businesses are family farms, but we are keen to open pathways to students without family connections and knowledge of the industry.

“We are looking for a student with get up and go and fresh ideas; someone keen to explore where they can help take the industry in pursuit of world-class practice.”

The scholarship includes a work experience component, to give the successful applicant first-hand experience of the breadth of the industry. It can be completed either as part of the student’s degree or over the summer break between the two years of the scholarship.

As the peak body for Australia’s cotton growers, Cotton Australia represents about 1,500 cotton farms, mainly in New South Wales and Queensland, but also in northern Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Members of the Upper Namoi Cotton Growers’ Association include growers, suppliers and marketers.

The new scholarship builds on strong cotton industry engagement with UNE. For some years Cotton Australia and grower associations have been supporting students to complete an Industry Placement Scholarship as part of UNE’s Growing Regional Agricultural Students in Science (GRASS) program. This introduces Year 11 and 12 students to key people in the industry, and has involved farm visits and gin tours.

GRASS Science Education Officer Susanna Greig says the collaboration has given students valuable confidence and contacts in the industry, as well as an opportunity to get their hands dirty and learn about the array of smart technology employed.

“Cotton Australia has sponsored a very popular five-day industry placement for students hosted by leading cotton experts, which has been invaluable,” Susanna says.

Jenny says Cotton Australia is very excited to now be offering the undergraduate scholarship for the first time. “Hopefully this person will be the first of many UNE graduates to go through into the cotton industry, which is burgeoning, especially in north Queensland and the Northern Territory, with a new gin recently approved for Katherine.”