SQLD Rabo Client Council Conference Awards

What we offer

The South Queensland (SQLD) Rabo Client Council offers 2 senior high school students the opportunity to attend an agricultural or science industry conference.

Winning students may be asked to present their competition entries during the conference to an audience of researchers, agronomists, growers and industry representatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to:

• gain confidence in presenting to, communicating with and networking with professionals working in the field of science and agriculture
• discover various career paths in science and agriculture
• expand their knowledge of how science and agriculture is applied in sustainable food and fibre production in Australia and throughout the world.

The award provides $1,000 each to 2 senior high school students. The funds are to assist with the costs of the students and accompanying adults (if required) attending the conference. The funds can be used for:

• conference registration fees
• accommodation and travel expenses.

Who is eligible

Students must:

• be in Year 10, 11 or 12
• submit a Science Project Award entry
• be available and have parental permission to attend the specified dates of the conference
• travel to and from the conference with an accompanying parent, guardian or teacher (unless, at the time of the conference, they are 17 years old and have a provisional driving licence)
• have applied by the competition closing date.

How to apply

Complete the SQLD Rabo Client Council Conference Award application form by the competition closing date.

Students will be assessed on their responses to these questions:

• In your opinion, why is agriculture important to Australia's future?
• What do you see as a possible future role for you in the rural/agricultural science sector and why?
• What interests you about this conference?
• What do you hope to learn from attending this conference?

A signed letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor is encouraged to support the application (this is not mandatory).

Prize conditions

• Up to $1,000 will be provided to assist each award recipient (and accompanying adult) with conference registration fees, travel expenses, accommodation and meals.
• Any additional costs incurred over the $1,000 award value will be at the recipient's expense.
• Where possible, conference registration will be paid directly by the Department of Primary Industries. The remaining funds (to the total value of $1,000) will be reimbursed to the student's family at the end of the conference. The family must provide receipts for travel expenses (such as fuel, flights, bus journeys, motels and meals) to the department.
• Award recipients may be invited to participate in the conference program by explaining their competition project to national or international delegates, including scientists, researchers and industry representatives.
• Should the successful award recipient (and accompanying adult) not be able to attend the conference for any reason, the prize will be forfeited by that student and will be offered to the next deserving student.
• The award recipients must provide written feedback (and photos if possible) to the Schools Science Competition Coordinator about their experience, within 1 month of returning from the conference.
• The award recipients will be notified via email in late July and publicly announced during the Hermitage Schools Science Competition's annual Awards Day and Ag Science Expo held in August.
• This award is not transferable or redeemable for cash.

Help with your projects

Hermitage Research Facility staff can provide support to participating students and teachers.

Email or call with details of your project. We can put you in contact with a departmental scientist or staff member who can answer your questions.

An online chat or video meeting with our scientists and staff can be arranged upon request.

Contact us

Email HermitageCompetition@dpi.qld.gov.au

Call 13 25 23

Join our Facebook group for competition updates.