Surprise accolades for two North West PICSE graduates

SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
Senator for Tasmania
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science
M E D I A R E L E A S E
22 June 2011

Surprise accolades for two North West PICSE graduates

Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck has congratulated two bright young PICSE graduates looking to a future in primary industries who received accolades in Canberra this week.

The awards were announced at an event hosted by the Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE) at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday night.

The recipients were Dominique Coterrill, a Year 12 Don College student, and Gabby Bennett, a Petuna Seafoods employee at Strahan, who were at Parliament House for a PICSE showcase.

“Dominique participated in a PICSE science camp in December, and then a PICSE industry placement in January, and was a great ambassador for PICSE at the parliamentary showcase” Senator Colbeck said.

“The announcement of a $5000 UTAS School of Agricultural Science scholarship during the showcase was a complete surprise. Dominique can use $2000 of the fund for educational expenses during Year 12, and the remaining $3000 will be forthcoming when she enrols in an agricultural science degree at the University of Tasmania.

“The scholarship was awarded to Dominique in recognition of her strong interest in agriculture and her excellent presentation and communication skills. It is a terrific investment in the future.

“Ms Bennett’s award – also a surprise – was a Woolworths Leadership Course, presented in recognition of her potential as a future leader in her field.

“Ms Bennett is a terrific example of how the PICSE program works. She participated in an industry placement during Year 12 in South Australia, went on to enrol in an aquaculture degree at Flinders University with PICSE support, and is now a valued member of the Petuna Seafoods staff.
“PICSE is worthy of commendation in its own right. The Tasmanian initiative began in 1998 and partners universities with industry and schools to foster a career pathway for science students to work in primary industry fields.

“PICSE is now a national program with Activity Centres at 10 universities in five states. And it is great for Tasmania that the head quarters remain at the University of Tasmania’s School of Agricultural Science at the Cradle Coast campus.

“We are lucky to have the calibre of people such as Associate Professor David Russell and the PICSE team working hard to ensure we have skilled science professional to tackle important future challenges like food security,” Senator Colbeck said.
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK