Forbes makes history for Marcus Oldham with clear future goals

As the inaugural recipient of Greenham’s new scholarship partnership with Marcus Oldham College, Forbes Boydell will mark his place in the college’s history.

AS THE inaugural recipient of Greenham’s new scholarship partnership with Marcus Oldham College, Forbes Boydell will mark his place in the college’s history.

The 22-year-old from Attunga in NSW is a third year Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) student, and the proud recipient of a $20,000 scholarship to go towards his studies.

“Being awarded this honour has been a huge privilege for me and has meant the stress of the current climate situation has been eased a little bit for me and my family,” he said. “I hope to use this opportunity to unlock my full potential as a future member of the beef industry.” Before starting at Marcus Oldham in 2017, Forbes was working at home on his family’s beef, cattle and trade lamb property, and doing contract stock work and machinery operation across the New England region of NSW.

“The best thing for me about studying at Marcus Oldham is how it opens your mind and how you think, so you are more business targeted rather than just focused on agriculture production,” Forbes said.

“It is also an inviting and fun community to be part of and due to the diverse student base I’m making friends from all over Australia.”

It was a Marcus graduate and now Greenham employee, Nikki Gilder, who first encouraged Forbes to apply for the scholarship.

Students dedicated to pursuing a career across the value chain within the beef or dairy industry were invited to apply, and were asked to address one question: how do you believe the Australian beef or dairy industry will be challenged over the next 15 years and what motivates you to be involved? Forbes elected to explore the issue of social media and how social licence is affecting the beef industry.

In his scholarship application, Forbes wrote: “With the ease of being able to gain information or misinformation at the click of a button, it is something that the entire agriculture industry is going to be battling, due to our industry being volatile to public opinion. “There is a lot of controversy surrounding this social licence to operate and whether producers should really be giving up best practice to please people who are uneducated in these matters.

“The best way to gain a positive social licence, rather than conforming to the ideals of the general public would be to educate them as to why we do what we do and prove that we are already running our properties in a sustainable and viable manner.”

His love for the industry and insight into the subject matter clearly struck a chord with the judges, and in March he was announced as the inaugural winner of the Greenham Agricultural Scholarship, part of Australian beef trader and retailer Greenham’s investment in the local community and the future of its industry.

Forbes is very clear on where his future lies after Marcus Oldham. He is passionate about being a future leader in the Australian beef industry, and helping pioneer new techniques and technologies to sustain and ultimately grow the industry.

“I hope to learn the ins and outs of business management and gain a better understanding of both the beef industry, which I am involved in, and a greater understanding of other agricultural production models,” he said.

“I hope to return home and help Dad turn our property into a viable and sustainable business with an emphasis on holistic grazing and land management targeting erosion.

“I also hope to be a producer that helps with research and development of new management techniques that will help other producers in the future.”