Pictured: CIC Andrew Williams, Nicholas Hardie and RASWA President Hugh Harding
Nicholas Hardie, 17, has won the prestigious $12,000 Agricultural Youth Scholarship awarded by the Bendat Family Foundation and The Royal Agricultural Society.
This young man, who has repeatedly proven he has the mettle to set ambitious goals, was presented with the award at Claremont Showground on Wednesday, 26 March. Growing up on his family’s Boddington wheat and sheep farm lulled Nicolas into an impression life on the land was exactly what he wanted to do for a profession – until he hit the age of 13 years! It was then his attention turned to that of an apprenticeship as an auto electrician.
As a student at the city-based Aquinas College and having reached Year 10 Nicholas, with a penchant for a rural, rather than a metro environment, chose to move to Harvey Agricultural College to further his studies. “I knew the College had a good trade program and I was intending to follow through with my plans but once I was there, I realised I really liked agriculture,” says Nicholas.
There were other reasons this young man switched alliance: “Within the world of farming there are so many jobs available that give you the chance to change the world and make a difference. Something a trade cannot.”
By all accounts Nicholas made his mark on the College having realised a Certificate 11 in agriculture, wool handling and shearing, becoming the Year 12 Dux (DoE VET) student for 2013 and achieving the highest ATAR score of anyone at the College, to date – that of 67.85. He was then offered a place at Muresk Institute in Northam – an offer this student decided he couldn’t refuse!
“I am studying for a degree in Agricultural Business Management that includes science and farming aspects so I will be well qualified at the end of it to work in any part of the world.” A strongly motivated individual Nick intends to work in an advisory capacity or for a bank within the agricultural business sector rather than working and running a farm of his own.
“Winning this Scholarship means I can concentrate on earning my degree and not have the pressure and stress as to how I pay my living expenses. To be presented with a Scholarship such as this, to have a Scholarship so prestigious and to be able to put that on my resume is very exciting, rewarding and will stand me in good stead for future employees,” adds Nicholas.
