Opportunity For Aquaculture Study

The scholarship is worth $11,500 over two years and funds Brook’s tuition and course fees to complete a diploma in Aquaculture at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.

A year 12 student who was considering leaving school for work, Brook (16) is now able to further his aquaculture studies, an area in which he has shown both enthusiasm and talent.

Queen Charlotte College assistant principal Betty Whyte says the college was looking for a scholarship recipient who would be best served by the support from New Zealand King Salmon.

“Brook was thinking about going to work but with this scholarship he has an amazing opportunity to continue his aquaculture education. And that is the best thing for him at this stage in his life.

“He has a good academic record with NCEA Level 2 and is very familiar with the industry. That was important to us because we wanted to ensure the scholarship recipient knew what he was in for and had a commitment to the subject,” Ms Whyte says.

“Brook has had work experience out on the mussel boats and he is a very outdoors sort of a person, keen on hunting and fishing – he lives at Anakiwa on Queen Charlotte Sound.

“He had also previously won a scholarship to South Australia where he spent two weeks visiting tuna, mussel, kingfish and oyster farms which confirmed his aquaculture ambitions.

“Everyone at QCC is very pleased for Brook and we all believe he has excellent aquaculture management potential.”

New Zealand King Salmon CEO Grant Rosewarne says the company is delighted Brook is the inaugural scholarship recipient.

“We are very much part of the community in Marlborough. We are always keen to encourage young people from the region to consider aquaculture as a career and that was our motivation behind setting up the scholarship.

“Brook is a worthy recipient and has demonstrated tremendous commitment to learning about aquaculture and making it his life’s work.

“We and QCC have a shared objective in nurturing up and coming talent and we believe this scholarship enhances Brook’s employment opportunities. We are looking forward to closely following his progress welcoming him to the industry on his graduation,” Mr Rosewarne says.

The New Zealand King Salmon Scholarship is awarded to a year 12 or 13 Aquaculture Academy student at QCC selected by college staff and approved by principal Tom Parsons.

The recipient must be a student who has shown enthusiasm and diligence during the school year as well as attitude and commitment to a career in aquaculture or marine science.