14 SEPTEMBER 2022 | ISSUE 508 | FREE
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BENDIGO BANK HELPS LOCAL BROTHERS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS Brothers Darby and Bryce McClaren are on their way to achieving their dream careers in the Agriculture industry with a little help from Bendigo Bank Nagambie. The boys have both been awarded the 2022 Bendigo Bank Nagambie Rural Scholarship which they have put towards the cost of their studies at Yanco Agricultural High School in NSW. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer this Scholarship to both Darby and Bryce.” said Nagambie Branch Manager Teri Johnson. “Our Rural Scholarship was launched in 2019 in recognition of the district’s significant farming community. After running annual Farmers’ events for the last few years from our Heathcote branch, our Board of Directors recognised that there was a real need for this type of Scholarship” Mrs Johnson said. This is Bryce’s first year at Yanco and he has received $2,500 towards his studies from the local bank, which he has put towards school fees and supplies. “As you would expect, the uniform requirements for an Agricultural High School are a bit different to a regular secondary school. We have three uniforms; Formal, which includes a blazer, tie and akubra hat, Travel, which includes a polo shirt, blue jeans and school jacket and our agriculture practical uniform which is long sleeved work shirt, jumper, long khaki work pants with leather boots and a hat to meet the OH&S requirements of working outside on the farm with stock.” Bryce said. Bryce is enjoying his classes and practical agricultural work. “So far I have worked with dairy calves and pigs
as part of our agriculture class. I enjoy being a part of the Cattle Showstock team preparing cattle for shows and sales. The school has great facilities, nice teachers and it is really interesting meeting students from all over NSW and hearing about their various farming operations, including citrus growers, cropping farms and very large sheep properties in outback NSW. It has been a big adjustment going to boarding school, but there is always something to do and it has definitely made me appreciate home more.” he said. Darby is in Year 10 at Yanco and has previously received a Rural Scholarship from Bendigo Bank Nagambie. The bank’s Board of Directors were so impressed with Darby’s commitment to his studies that they have decided to award him with a further Scholarship of $500. “I am very grateful to Bendigo Bank in supporting me to fulfill my dreams and study Agriculture at Yanco Agricultural High School. It is hard going to school so far from home and the support from Bendigo Bank provides through the Rural Scholarship really helps.” Darby said. Darby has also been able to work locally during his school holidays to further assist his learning. “When I am home during holidays, I work parttime with Tyson Bush at Nutrien Ag Solutions and Ben Minogue at DLS. I work as a yard hand, so I go to Shepparton Saleyards every Tuesday and help out at the sale. On non-sale days I help Tyson and Ben in supporting their clients in preparing stock for the markets. I am very grateful to Tyson and Ben for the opportunity to work with them and learn more about the role of a stock agent.” Darby said. Mrs Johnson said “We’re very proud to be able to provide Scholarships like this to the local community and we thank our customers who enable this. It comes down to the fact that the more people we have banking with us at our Nagambie branch, the more funds we have to return to the community. It really is as simple as that.” For more information on Bendigo Bank Nagambie’s grant programs visit their website www.heathcotenagambie.community