The graduation presentation ceremony at Muresk last month celebrated three years' hard work by graduates who completed the Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management last year.
About 100 family, friends, sponsors, local politicians and dignitaries gathered on April 16 to celebrate the achievements of the 2018 graduates and award winners.
Ten graduates and four current students received awards.
Among the graduates were a number from the Avon and nearby areas.
They were: Kevin Binning from Greenhills who achieved a long held ambition to complete a university degree.
Others included Matthew Flint (Northam), David Storer (Meckering), George Walton-Hassell (Pingelly) and Jessica Whyte (Quairading).
Kevin was chosen to deliver the valedictory address on behalf of the graduates.
"I believe our young people can meet the challenges of providing clean green food for a growing world population, but it is important to the future of agriculture that we maintain clear, well supported pathways for study and career advancement in agriculture," he said.
"We must provide mentoring, guidance and support to our young people and to organisations that influence their future success."
Associate Head of the Charles Sturt University School of Agriculture and Wine Science in Wagga Wagga, Associate Professor, Gaye Krebs gave an address.
"We remain very disappointed that our partnership with Central Regional TAFE to deliver the CSU Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management at Muresk is drawing to an end," she said.
"When we look at the quality of those graduating today, we are very proud of the solid educational foundation we provide our students on which to build their careers in agribusiness.
"We are pleased that we have been able to deliver to the agribusiness sector, the quality of graduates they asked us for.
"Among us here today will be future leaders in many areas, not just the agribusiness sector in WA."
Managing Director of Central Regional TAFE, Bill Swetman told the gathering that staff had worked hard to provide an educational experience that balanced academic integrity, relevant practical experience and knowledge.
"I also pay tribute to the partnership commitment and support of Charles Sturt University," he said.
Others to graduate were; Jeremy Bryan (Bindi Bindi), Rachael Perkins (Kojonup), Angela Ryan (Doodlakine), Jack Sawyer (Xantippe) and Laine Williamson (Australind).
Scholarship recipients were: Siena Bergersen (Albany) - Bryan Mickle scholarship, Thomas Steber (Doodlakine) - CBH Grain Industry Scholarship and Euan Grylls (Bencubbin) and Judith Storer (Meckering) - CSU residential scholarships.
Award winners:
CSBP prize for Soil Science, Bankwest Dux of first year, Farmanco Excellence in Management and Agronomy - Judith Storer;
Linley Valley Pork prize for Livestock Management and Alosca prize for Pasture Production - Matthew Flint;
CBH prize for Agricultural Marketing - Euan Grylls;
CBH prize for Commodity Trading - Sienna Bergersen;
Muresk Old Collegians prize for Community Leadership - Angela Ryan;
Tom Dymond Memorial Prize - Kevin Binning;
Desiree Futures - Bright Futures award, George Walton-Hassell
York and Districts Community Bank Dux of the Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management - Laine Williamson.
Lindsay McNeill is the media officer for Central Regional TAFE School of Agribusiness.
