GARDINER Foundation has announced 13 recipients of its 2026 Tertiary Scholarships, investing $705,000 to support students studying in fields critical to the future of Victoria’s dairy industry and regional communities.
The 2026 intake includes more scholarship recipients than previous years, responding to growing workforce pressures across health, engineering, veterinary science, food technology and agribusiness in dairy regions.
Five recipients are from the Gippsland area.
Recipients Sage Deenen, Josh Gale and Ella Berry are all from South Gippsland, with Hector MacAulay and Luke Dwyer coming from Wellington Shire.
- Sage, who grew up on a dairy farm in Leongatha South and attended Leongatha Secondary College, will begin a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne in 2026, with plans to progress to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She aims to return as a large animal veterinarian, supporting animal health and the resilience of regional dairy communities.
- Josh, from Waratah Bay in South Gippsland and a former student of Foster Secondary College, will study a Bachelor of Rural Science at the University of New England in Armidale. He aims to become a dairy farm manager and future farm owner, using advanced management practices to support the long term prosperity of the dairy industry and his local community.
- Luke, from Newry in Wellington Shire and a former student of Catholic College Sale, will study a Bachelor of Agriculture at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. He plans to return home to run the family dairy farm and is committed to mentoring the next generation of dairy farmers through his involvement in local sport and surf lifesaving.
- Ella, from Glen Alvie in South Gippsland and a graduate of Newhaven College, will study a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, focusing on engineering and innovation for the dairy sector. After a gap year working full time on her family’s dairy farm, she plans to return to South Gippsland to help make new technology more accessible for farmers and drive industry progress.
- Hector, from Jack River in south east Gippsland and a former student of Yarram Secondary College, will study a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne. He plans to pursue a career as an agronomist, helping dairy farmers apply the latest science to improve productivity and sustainability in his home region.
Research shows students who study in regional areas are more likely to remain there, with place of origin and regional placements playing a strong role in shaping long-term career pathways.
Gardiner’s enhanced scholarships are designed to retain skills and talent within dairy communities by strengthening pathways into study and work.
Gardiner Chief Executive Allan Cameron said the 2026 cohort reflected a deliberate focus on people and place.
“These scholarships support talented students to study, work and build their
lives in dairy regions,” Mr Cameron said.
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in later issues
