Australian Banana Growers' Council Mort Johnston Scholarship

The Australian Banana Growers' Council Mort Johnston Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Are enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at JCU with links to the banana industry. This could include, but is not limited to: science, technology, engineering, environmental studies, conservation, agriculture, marketing, law, economics or business;
• Are in your final year of your undergraduate degree, are undertaking an honours year or are a Masters or PhD student.

The value of the scholarship shall be $5,000 for full time students and $2,500 for part time students. Payments will be made in 2 equal instalments after census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2. Completion of work experience is required before 2nd payment is made. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record (weighted at 30%); and
• A written statement outlining (approx.200 words and weighted at 50%):
  1. Your interest in the Australian banana industry.
  2. How you believe your JCU degree has links to the Australian banana industry.
  3. Dates that you would be available to take at least two weeks paid work experience at a North Queensland Banana Business during your scholarship year.
• Resume outlining work experience, awards and community involvement (weighted at 20%)

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.
The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorization for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

Established in 2021 by an annual contribution from Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) in honour of the late Mort Johnston. The purpose of this scholarship is to support students with a strong interest and potential involvement with the Australian Banana industry in their third or fourth (Honours) year of studies at James Cook University.

Mort Johnston, who passed away in 2006, was widely regarded as a great innovator and a strong advocate for growers working together to better the banana industry. He gave up his time to serve on a number of committees, as well as the Tully Co-Op. Mort was of a man whose vision, determination, optimism and goodwill were an example to all.

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) is the national peak industry body for Australia’s commercial banana growers. They advance the interests of Australian banana growers through effective leadership and representation to ensure a strong industry future. The ABGC acts in the interests of Australian banana growers on issues including: representations to policy and decision makers; representations to Hort Innovation; biosecurity; pest and disease management; research and development; supply-chain issues and banana marketing.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the scholarship

The value of the scholarship shall be $5,000 for full time students and $2,500 for part time students. Payments will be made in 2 equal instalments after census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2. Completion of work experience is required before 2nd payment is made. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Australian Banana Growers' Council Mort Johnston Scholarship is open to competition among applicants who:

• Are enrolled in an undergraduate or honours degree at JCU with links to the banana industry. This could include, but is not limited to: science, technology, engineering, environmental studies, conservation, agriculture, marketing, law, economics or business;
• Are in their final year of their undergraduate degree, are undertaking an honours year or are a Masters or PhD student.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

1. Demonstrated strong interest and willingness to be involved with the Australian Banana Industry (50% weighting);
2. Demonstrated academic achievement (30% weighting);
3. Previous work experience, award and community involvement (20% weighing)

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made.

Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record (weighted at 30%); and
• A written statement outlining (approx.200 words and weighted at 50%):
  1. Your interest in the Australian banana industry.
  2. How you believe your JC degree has links to the Australian banana industry.
  3. Dates that you would be available to take at least two weeks paid work experience at a North Queensland Banana Business during your scholarship year.
• Resume outlining work experience, awards and community involvement (weighted at 20%)

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship will be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Dean, College of Science & Engineering (Chair), or nominee;
• Dean, College of Business, Law & Governance, or nominee; and
• Australian Banana Growers' Council (ABGC) representative.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship awardee.

Ongoing eligibility

• Completion of work experience required before 2^nd payment is made.
• The recipient must be enrolled.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• The recipient must undertake at least two weeks of paid work experience in a North Queensland banana business during their scholarship year. Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) will assist the student with finding a placement.
• The recipient must agree to compete the following reporting requirements a the end of their work experience:

1. Short written report (no more than 4 pages) on the main learnings from their work experience to ABGC (noting areas where there is opportunity for a young person coming into the industry); and
2. Participating in a short video on why the banana industry has a strong future. The video would be around 3 minutes long and will be shot in collaboration with ABGC Communications team; and
3. Participating in an interview for publication in Australian Bananas magazine;
4. Acknowledging the support of the Mort Johnston Scholarship and the ABGC in printed material relating to their experience or research.

• If the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award.
• If the holder of the award takes an official leave of absence the award will be terminated.
• If the holder of the award does not meet the continuing eligibility criteria, the award will be terminated.

• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by the scholarships office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the scholarship.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.