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The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP
Minister for Primary Industries
Minister for Small Business
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
TALENTED DPI YOUNG GUNS HONOURED BY RAS
Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, today congratulated NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) employees Rebecca Bryne and David Gale on their success in winning Royal Agricultural Society NSW (RAS) 2012 Rural Achiever Awards.
“Having NSW DPI employees take out two of eight RAS 2012 Rural Achiever Awards shows that the Department is attracting the best and brightest young talent,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“It’s great to see these two employees working hard on behalf of the farmers of NSW to help further develop our State’s agricultural industries and being rewarded for their efforts.
“I congratulate Rebecca and David on their achievement in being selected as Rural Achievers from a strong field of young candidates vying for this prestigious award.
“In their short careers to date, both Rebecca and David have made significant contributions to agriculture and demonstrated their leadership potential.”
Katrina Hodgkinson said although being one of the youngest professional officers in NSW DPI, Rebecca Byrne has made an important contribution in her local district through her work and community involvement.
“During her two years as a district agronomist based in Moree, Rebecca has played a vital role in the Department’s response during two major floods,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“Rebecca’s potential has been recognised by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation with a scholarship to undertake post graduate studies in cotton production.”
David Gale started work as a graduate trainee at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) at Menangle in early 2011 after studying agricultural science.
“David has worked with a range of scientists at EMAI on project proposals and research projects, and organised and chaired the Protecting Our Crops Symposium held recently at the University of Sydney,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“Prior to his traineeship, David undertook an honours project on the use of compost as a partial substitute for synthetic phosphorus fertilisers for baby corn in the Mekong Delta, which included a four month field trial in Vietnam.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting young talent in the Department of Primary Industries and it’s great to see the RAS recognising these two individuals for their efforts,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
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