Farrer Memorial Trust
The Farrer Memorial Trust was established to perpetuate the memory of William James Farrer, Plant Breeder, and has a long standing tradition since 1936 of providing encouragement and inspiration to those engaged in agricultural science in cropping fields.
This is done through presentation of the annual Farrer Memorial Medal and student scholarships.
Nominations for the 2024 Farrer Memorial Medal
The Farrer Memorial Trust was established in 1911 to perpetuate the memory of William James Farrer and to encourage and inspire agricultural scientists. One of William Farrer’s ideals was “aiming high and making an impact”. He was one of the pioneers of agricultural research and development in Australia
and in doing so helped to build the foundations of the Nation.
The Farrer Memorial Medal is awarded annually to provide encouragement and inspiration to those engaged in agricultural science. The medallist is chosen by trustees of the Farrer Memorial Research Scholarship Fund in April each year from the ranks of those persons who have rendered distinguished service in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education or administration.
Following the death of Farrer in 1906, a committee was formed to raise subscriptions for the establishment of a Memorial Fund, control of which was transferred to a Trust under a set of instructions dated 16 October 1911.
The Farrer Memorial Oration was arranged originally by a local committee at Queanbeyan. The originator of the idea was Mr Frank J. Gallagher MA, who was then Principal of the Queanbeyan Intermediate High School.
The first oration was delivered by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Rt Hon J.A. Lyons MP, on 3 April 1936 (the anniversary of the date of Farrer's birth) at the Star Theatre, Queanbeyan, when a silver medallion was presented to him by the children of the school as a memento of the occasion. This medal has been donated to the Adolph Basser Library, Canberra, where it is on display.
At the request of Mr Gallagher, the trustees assumed responsibility during 1941 for arranging an annual oration and presentation of a medal. The oration is now published in the Trust's Annual Report.
All Farrer medallists and their memorial orations since 1936 are available.
Who can be nominated?
Individuals who have rendered distinguished service in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education or administration are eligible for nomination. Nominees must have demonstrated a record of high achievement within one of the nominated categories and made a contribution
over and above what might reasonably be expected through paid employment. Their contribution should stand out from others who may have also made a valuable contribution.
How can I nominate?
Nominations have now closed for 2024. Nominations will reopen again in 2025.
Introducing the new Farrer Memorial Mid-Career Award
About the Farrer Mid-Career Award
The Farrer Mid-Career Award recognises exceptional achievements in Australian agricultural science made by a mid-career professional. A mid-career professional is “a professional with the equivalent of 10-20 cumulative years’ experience in agricultural science. Professionals may be in research, development, practice, communication, or policy.
Criteria
Exceptional achievement may be evidenced by …
- recognition of exceptional science-based research achievement contributing to the Australian agricultural sector
- significant adoption of novel science or practice by the Australian agricultural sector
- significant change in science-based policy which has contributed significantly to the Australian agricultural sector
- significant promotion of science-based activities to the Australian agricultural sector and consumers.
Award
The award consists of a $15,000 prize for travel and/or further education to promote Australian agricultural science and to deepen and widen the awardee’s domain knowledge of the agricultural sector.
The award recipient will also have access to the alumni of Farrer Memorial Medal winners that can help to mentor and open doors for continued career growth.
Nominations
Nominations have now closed for 2024. Nominations will reopen again in 2025.
Who can be nominated?
Individuals who have rendered distinguished service in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education or administration are eligible for nomination. Nominees must have demonstrated a record of high achievement within one of the nominated categories and made a contribution
over and above what might reasonably be expected through paid employment. Their contribution should stand out from others who may have also made a valuable contribution.
Professor Richard Trethowan announced as the 2022 Farrer Memorial Medal winner
Chair of the Farrer Memorial Trust and NSW DPI Director General Scott Hansen has announced Professor Richard Trethowan as the recipient of the 2022 Farrer Memorial Medal.
“Professor Trethowan’s contribution to wheat genetic improvement have and continue to benefit the Australian and global industry while his contribution to the education and guidance of students and early career researchers in Australia and around the world is significant.
“His research benefits not only NSW and Australia but has made real impacts to the global pursuit of food security,” said Mr Hansen.
Professor Trethowan will receive the 2022 Farrer Memorial Medal at an event hosted by The University of Sydney on Thursday 16 November, where he will also deliver the traditional winner’s oration.
Congratulations to Professor Trethowan on this well-deserved award.
Farrer Memorial International Travelling Scholarships
The Farrer Memorial Trust was established in 1911 to perpetuate the memory of William James Farrer and to encourage and inspire agricultural scientists. Initially it awarded scholarships for ’study or research in agricultural problems’. Later it included the delivery of an annual oration and the presentation of the Farrer Memorial Medal to a distinguished agricultural scientist for service rendered in the fields of research, education, or administration. Scholarships are now designed to support international travel and/or other learning and development by postgraduate students enrolled for a PhD on any aspect of agricultural cropping research. As a guide, travelling scholarships will normally be awarded up to the value $7,500.
Applications for the 2024 Farrer Memorial International Travelling Scholarships are now CLOSED. Nominations will reopen in 2025
Scholarship Criteria
- Postgraduate student enrolled for a PhD on any aspect of field crop research; and
- Citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
The Scholarships are designed to support international travel to include attendance at an international conference at which a paper or poster is being presented.
As a guide, scholarships will normally be awarded up to the value $7,500.
It is essential that applicants justify why support for travel or other learning and development is being sought, the likely benefits and a budget explanation for the level of funds requested. Applicants are able to visit relevant research centres as part of their itinerary.
Applicants should include a curriculum vitae, details of the travel (including and itinerary) or learning developments, details of any papers/poster to be presented at a research or conference event and a supporting statement from their supervisor. A detailed report on the use of the scholarship funding is to be submitted to the Trust on completion of the travel or learning.
Applications to include:
- Application form, completed and signed
- Applicant’s CV
- Detailed itinerary or plan of travel and/or educational development
- Covering letter from the Dean of Faculty
- Supporting statement from a supervisor
Donations to the Trust
The Farrer Memorial Trust welcomes donations from those with a commitment to the Australian rural industry to help it fund:
- the Farrer Memorial Travelling Scholarships
- the Farrer Memorial Research Scholarship postgraduate award for study or research in agriculture
- the annual award of the Farrer Medal.
The Trust is required by an Act of Parliament to fund these activities totally from investment income, and not from capital. Escalating costs, however, are making it difficult to keep the awards at an acceptable level and continue the medal presentations.
Cheques in favour of the Farrer Memorial Trust may be sent to the Secretary, Farrer Memorial Trust, GPO Box 5477, Sydney NSW 2001.
For more information about donating to the Farrer Memorial Trust, contact the Secretary.
Trustees of the Farrer Memorial Trust
- Mr S Hansen, Director General, Department of Primary Industries, and Chairman, Farrer Memorial Trust
- Ms K Lorimer-Ward, Deputy Director General, Agriculture NSW, Department of Primary Industries
- Professor A McBratney, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, University of Sydney
- Dr JC Radcliffe, AM.
Non-Official Trustees
- Geoffrey Mason, AM
- Rohan Wilson
- David Davidson
Secretary
Vicki Priest, Manager - Programs, Boards & Committees
Telephone | (02) 6391 3023 |
|---|---|
Address | Ms Vicki Priest |
| farrer.memorialtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au |
Annual Reports
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2019 (PDF, 3.9 MB)
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2018 (PDF, 4.6 MB)
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2017 (PDF, 6.4 MB)
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2015 (PDF, 2.4 MB)
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2014 (PDF, 3.0 MB)
- Farrer memorial Trust Annual Report 2020 (PDF, 2.3 MB)
Older annual reports for the Farrer Memorial Trust can be found on the DPI web publication archive.
