MOYNE Shire Council recently announced their 24th annual Academic Support Scholarship for four young people embarking on qualifications in their chosen fields.

Each awardee will receive $2500 to help cover the costs of their first year of tertiary study – be it books, accommodation or living expenses - and over the years almost 80 young people from Moyne have been assisted.

But for one of the recipients, Brittany Abbott from Kolora, the timing of the endowment has capped off what has been an especially big week.

The 20-year-old was in Sydney earlier this week for the Royal Easter Show and snagged herself a handy runner-up finish in the 2022 National Beef Cattle Young Judges Championship.

Representing Victoria and judging three lines of cattle, Brittany was in her element, having grown up on the family farm at Turanga Red Poll Stud.

“I was certainly pretty happy,” she said.

“They had some incredible young judges in there – really good speakers.

“It was a really hard line up – I thought it’d be good if I got into the final line.

“You’re going up against people that are 25 and have been working on big stations judging … from all different states and backgrounds.

“So it was a pretty big challenge and opportunity at the same time.

“Mum and dad – they were ecstatic.”

Brittany’s pathway to Sydney was through winning a local show and then winning at the Melbourne Show against other Victorians, but a few weeks ago she fell seriously ill so it was touch and go whether she would be able to make it.

Thankfully, she made enough of a recovery to head north, but her father, Greg had been worried.

“We didn’t actually expect her to go,” he said.

“She was a very sick girl.”

But now with the Easter Show result and the scholarship, the family were thrilled to see her childhood dreams come to fruition.

“Brittany’s been a big part of (the farm),” he said.

“She’s just been so animal mad all her life.

“She’s been (working with cattle) since she was about five.”

Now looking forward, Brittany told The Spectator the Moyne scholarship would make her life considerably easier with the financial burden of accommodation costs away from home.

“It sort of gives a real big hand so you can put more into your study,” she said.

“I just commenced a Bachelor of Animal Science at Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga.

“From that degree I’m looking at veterinary science, mostly going into large animals such as cattle … whether it be dairy or beef.”

Three other young people also received scholarships - Sophie Lehmann from Hexham, Ruby Shuuring from Mortlake, and Stephanie Jenkins from Nullawarre.

Moyne Shire Council mayor, Cr Ian Smith, said a panel of councillors including himself, deputy mayor Cr Daniel Meade, and Cr James Purcell, had selected the four awardees from nine applicants.

Awardees were chosen based on their academic engagement in VCE/VCAL, their engagement within the community, their reasons for undertaking the course and how the scholarship will assist them to reach their goals.

Cr Smith said the scholarship was one of his favourite annual funding programs and he wished the students well in their studies.

“Our awardees this year are studying across an interesting range of areas which include biomedicine, veterinary nursing, paramedicine and animal science,” he said.

“It’s great to be able to provide these students with some financial assistance as they begin their lives post high school.

“This scholarship will help take the pressure off, allow the students to focus more on their study and help build successful careers.”