Nuffield Australia awards scholarships each year to farmers in Australia. The objective is to increase practical farming knowledge and management skills and techniques generally. These scholarships give Australian citizens the opportunity to study farming practices in New Zealand, Europe, Asia and the Americas and those countries best suited to the scholar. They will also promote a closer understanding between farmers in the countries visited.

Many stories I’d heard from others were about GFPs being incredible experiences, but often being gruelling and pushing you to your breaking point. People spoke about things like a lack of sleep, navigating complex group dynamics, hectic itineraries and balancing work demands and family at home whilst you’re travelling around the world. Perhaps I was lucky, but my GFP didn’t have a lot of those aspects. Our group was made up of incredible people who constantly did what we would start to refer to as the 1%’ers - essentially going the extra mile for the benefit of others. Although our itinerary took us around the world, it seemed manageable - some days were non-stop, packing in up to 8 meetings and going from 6am to 11pm, but on other days we were able to relax and unwind. Perhaps I was also lucky that I had no issues or stresses from things back at home or work.

Upon returning to Australia it is expected that scholars will be able to actively spread the knowledge and understanding they have gained among their fellow farmers and others.

Nuffield gives a unique opportunity to stand back from your day-to-day occupation, and to study a subject of interest to you. You do not need academic qualifications, but you will need to persuade the selectors that you have the qualities to make the best use of an opportunity that is only given to a few.

Message from the Chair

Our charitable purpose combined with the values of Nuffield Australia guide our operational activities and the way in which we select scholars to become part of the Nuffield network.

Over the past year the Board of Nuffield Australia has focused on a number of areas to strengthen the program delivery for the scholarship and the support provided to scholars as they undertake their scholarship journey. This has included developing a formal set of learning outcomes for each stage of the program and delivering training for incoming scholars to support their learning journey.

The cost of delivering the scholarship program continues to grow so in 2024 the Board reviewed both the program delivery costs and the funding sourced from investors to support scholars which resulted in a significant increase in the investor contribution. 

In 2023 we were successful in receiving considerable funding from the Federal Government Future Drought Fund. The Board acknowledges the hard work of our CEO Jodie Redcliffe in working with representatives of DAFF to obtain the original two-year grant funding and the further four-year extension to this funding that was provided in the 2024 Federal Budget. 

The value of Nuffield lies not just in the scholarship experience itself but also the international network that has been created over 75 years of international exchange. The Board wishes to thank all the members of our scholar alumni who volunteer their time to supporting the application and selection process and those who contribute to assisting scholars through their scholarship journey. The strength of our organisation lies in the network of people who continue to share and exchange ideas. We encourage all of the Nuffield alumni to continue to participate in State and local functions and to attend the annual conference, as well as to host scholars from other countries visiting your region.

The Board thanks our small, dedicated team of employees Jodie Redcliffe, Tessa Dimond and Carol Millar for their hard work and commitment to supporting our scholars and the Nuffield network. Our staff and Board look forward to seeing you all at the 2025 conference in Adelaide from 8 to 10 September.

Jane Bennett
2008 Scholar
Chair
Nuffield Australia Farming Scholars