APPLICATIONS are now open for the CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship, a prestigious Herefords Australia bursary introduced 20 years ago to support young people pursuing careers in agriculture across the country.
Founded in 2002 through the estate of the late ‘Madge’ Hocking, a pioneer of the Hereford industry, the $5000 bursary is open to all Australian citizens undertaking study that will be applied to the breeding and management of Hereford cattle.
Madge, alongside her husband, Hock, spearheaded Oakdene Herefords, and had a fierce dedication to fostering the next generation of industry talent. When Herefords Australia received the substantial legacy estate, Mrs Hocking advised the bequest was her way of saying ‘thank you’ to the breed.
For 2017 CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship winner, Helen De Costa – who is now carving her own career as a Stock and Station Agent in Wagga Wagga – the bursary was a powerful motivator to pursue her passions within the livestock industry.
Ms De Costa can still recall the moment when she received news her application was successful.
“It came as a total surprise because I didn’t think I would win,” Ms De Costa said.
“I was in my second year of my Agricultural Science Degree and the money removed a huge financial burden as I could buy all my textbooks for the following years, and really focus on my study.”
Ms De Costa became involved with the Hereford breed when she was taken under the wing of Cloverlee Herefords Stud Directors, Ken and Liz Ikin, when she was a child helping exhibit her family’s cattle on the show circuit.
Even though she was only 11 at the time, Ken had spotted Ms De Costa’s talent for handling stock and strong work ethic and offered her a position in his Sydney Royal Easter Show team.
“I was working in the wash bay when he approached me, and I was so excited for an opportunity to head to Sydney,” she said.
“I have been with them ever since, and I have now started my own stud, Double H Livestock, and bought a few heifers.”
During her day-to-day role with family-owned Wagga Wagga agency, H Francis and Co, Ms De Costa focusses on the sale of livestock and clearance auctions, and is learning the ropes of property transactions.
Passionate about her work, Ms De Costa has ambitions to become a qualified auctioneer.
Herefords Australia, Breed and Business Development Manager, Kathleen Allan encouraged all young men and women with interests in furthering the Hereford breed to apply for the prestigious scholarship.
“Agriculture, and in particular the cattle industry, is in a thriving position and in need of highly-skilled and eager young people to join our growing and progressive sector,” Ms Allan said.
“There are endless exciting and challenging careers within the broad scope of the industry ready to be grasped.
“It has been a heartening experience to see the results of CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship winners across the bursary’s alumni, and Herefords Australia is honoured to carry Mrs Hocking’s legacy.”
Applications for the CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship close on 5pm, 24 April 2022.
For more information and to apply, please click here