Supporting the future of Australian agriculture

23 Nov 2020
Rebekah Ash
2020 Costa Avocado Scholarship in Horticulture recipient, Rebekah Ash

Students at The University of Queensland are the future leaders of the Australian agricultural industry, and partner Costa Group is investing in their careers.

Costa Group provides two scholarships at UQ — the Costa Avocado Horticulture Scholarship and the Costa Berries Scholarship in Horticultural Science — each worth $5000 a year.

For many agriculture students, there are pressures associated with moving away from home to study.

Costa Group provides ongoing financial assistance to relieve these pressures for students who are pursuing a career in horticulture.

Rebekah Ash is the recipient of the 2020 Costa Avocado Scholarship in Horticulture, and Hannah MacKay is the 2020 recipient of the Costa Berries Scholarship.

Hannah is in her fourth year of a dual degree of Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture, majoring in horticulture.

Hannah MacKay
2020 recipient of the Costa Berries Scholarship, Hannah MacKay

Moving more than 1500 kilometres away from home to go to university, Hannah welcomed the financial support offered through the Scholarship.

“From a young age I have wanted to work in agriculture and this scholarship is such a unique opportunity to gain exposure to a premier grower, packer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables in Australia,” Hannah said.

“I am the first person within my family to go to university, and upon completing my studies, would love to return to Far North Queensland to pursue a career in the horticulture industry.”

Hannah, who grew up in Tully in Far North Queensland, said moving away for University was a bit of a shock, but it was a great experience.

“The financial support I have received from this Scholarship is extremely valued and beneficial for all my university expenses and allows me to concentrate more on my studies.”

As part of her scholarship, Hannah will be joining the Costa Berries team to gain hands-on work experience over the summer break.

Costa is Australia’s leading grower, packer and marketer of premium quality fresh fruit and vegetables. Operations include approximately 4500 planted hectares of farmland, 30 hectares of glasshouse and three mushroom growing facilities, spread across 30 regional and rural communities.

To apply for one of the scholarships offered by Costa Group visit the Costa Avocado Horticulture Scholarship or Costa Berries Scholarship in Horticultural Science web pages.

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