Farrer Memorial Trust
The Farrer Memorial Trust was established in 1911 to perpetuate the memory of William James Farrer, Plant Breeder, and to provide encouragement and inspiration to those engaged in agricultural science in cropping. One of William Farrer’s ideals was “aiming high and making an impact”. He was one of the pioneers of agricultural cropping research and development in Australia.
The Trust provides the following annual awards and scholarships:
- The Farrer Memorial Medal - awarded annually to a person with a distinguished career in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education or administration. The award is presented at an event linked to the award winner's career and research and includes an oration to provide encouragement and inspiration to others in the same fields.
- The Farrer Memorial Mid-Career Award - created in 2024, this award recognises exceptional achievements in Australian agricultural science made by a mid-career professional. A mid-career professional is “a professional with the equivalent of 10-20 cumulative years’ experience in agricultural science. Professionals may be in research, development, practice, communication, or policy. The award is $15,000 to continue the education, research and development of the winner.
- Farrer Memorial Travelling Student Scholarships - awarded to support international travel and/or other learning and development by postgraduate students enrolled for a PhD on any aspect of agricultural cropping research. As a guide, travelling scholarships will normally be awarded up to the value $7,500.
All Farrer medallists and their memorial orations since 1936 are available by clicking here.
***2025 award nominations and scholarship applications now open***
Applications are now open for the:
- Farrer Memorial Medal
- Farrer Memorial Mid-Career Award
- Farrer Memorial Travelling Scholarships
Applications close 30 March 2025. Scroll down for more information.
Nominations for the 2025 Farrer Memorial Medal
The Farrer Memorial Medal is awarded annually to provide encouragement and inspiration to those engaged in agricultural science. The medallist is chosen by trustees of the Farrer Memorial Research Scholarship Fund in April each year from the ranks of those persons who have rendered distinguished service in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education or administration.
Following the death of Farrer in 1906, a committee was formed to raise subscriptions for the establishment of a Memorial Fund, control of which was transferred to a Trust under a set of instructions dated 16 October 1911.
The Farrer Memorial Oration was arranged originally by a local committee at Queanbeyan. The originator of the idea was Mr Frank J. Gallagher MA, who was then Principal of the Queanbeyan Intermediate High School.
The first oration was delivered by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Rt Hon J.A. Lyons MP, on 3 April 1936 (the anniversary of the date of Farrer's birth) at the Star Theatre, Queanbeyan, when a silver medallion was presented to him by the children of the school as a memento of the occasion. This medal has been donated to the Adolph Basser Library, Canberra, where it is on display.
At the request of Mr Gallagher, the trustees assumed responsibility during 1941 for arranging an annual oration and presentation of a medal.
All Farrer medallists and their memorial orations since 1936 are available through this link.
Who can be nominated?
Individuals who have rendered distinguished service in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education or administration are eligible for nomination. Nominees must have demonstrated a record of high achievement within one of the nominated categories and made a contribution over and above what might reasonably be expected through paid employment. Their contribution should stand out from others who may have also made a valuable contribution.
How can I nominate?
Nominations can be made through the Secretary of the Farrer Memorial Trust. Nominations will remain valid for three years. A new nomination will be required after a three-year period.
Nomination forms for the 2025 Farrer Memorial Medal can be downloaded here.
Nominations close 11:59pm Sunday 30 March 2025 by email to:
Ms Vicki Priest
Secretary, Farrer Memorial Trust
farrer.memorialtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Nominations for the 2025 Farrer Memorial Mid-Career Award
About the Farrer Mid-Career Award
The Farrer Mid-Career Award recognises exceptional achievements in Australian agricultural science made by a mid-career professional. A mid-career professional is “a professional with the equivalent of 10-20 cumulative years’ experience in agricultural science. Professionals may be in research, development, practice, communication, or policy.
Criteria
Exceptional achievement may be evidenced by …
- recognition of exceptional science-based research achievement contributing to the Australian agricultural sector
- significant adoption of novel science or practice by the Australian agricultural sector
- significant change in science-based policy which has contributed significantly to the Australian agricultural sector
- significant promotion of science-based activities to the Australian agricultural sector and consumers.
Award
The award consists of a $15,000 prize for travel and/or further education to promote Australian agricultural science and to deepen and widen the awardee’s domain knowledge of the agricultural sector.
The award recipient will also have access to the alumni of Farrer Memorial Medal winners that can help to mentor and open doors for continued career growth.
Nominations
Nominations can be made through the Secretary of the Farrer Memorial Trust. Nominations will remain valid for three years. A new nomination will be required after a three-year period.
Nomination forms for the 2025 Farrer Memorial Mid-Career Award can be downloaded here.
Nominations close 11:59pm Sunday 30 March 2025 by email to:
Ms Vicki Priest
Secretary, Farrer Memorial Trust
farrer.memorialtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Who can be nominated?
Individuals who have rendered distinguished service in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education or administration are eligible for nomination. Nominees must have demonstrated a record of high achievement within one of the nominated categories and made a contribution
over and above what might reasonably be expected through paid employment. Their contribution should stand out from others who may have also made a valuable contribution.
Application are now open for the 2025 Farrer Memorial International Travelling Scholarships
The Farrer Memorial Trust was established in 1911 to perpetuate the memory of William James Farrer and to encourage and inspire agricultural scientists. Initially it awarded scholarships for ’study or research in agricultural problems’. Later it included the delivery of an annual oration and the presentation of the Farrer Memorial Medal to a distinguished agricultural scientist for service rendered in the fields of research, education, or administration. Scholarships are now designed to support international travel and/or other learning and development by postgraduate students enrolled for a PhD on any aspect of agricultural cropping research. As a guide, travelling scholarships will normally be awarded up to the value $7,500.
Applications for the 2025 Farrer Memorial International Travelling Scholarships close 30 March 2025
Applicants must be:
- Postgraduate student enrolled for a PhD on any aspect of field crop research; and
- Citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
The Scholarships are designed to support international travel to include attendance at an international conference at which a paper or poster is being presented.
As a guide, scholarships will normally be awarded up to the value $7,500.
It is essential that applicants justify why support for travel or other learning and development is being sought, the likely benefits and a budget explanation for the level of funds requested. Applicants are able to visit relevant research centres as part of their itinerary.
Applicants should include a curriculum vitae, details of the travel (including and itinerary) or learning developments, details of any papers/poster to be presented at a research or conference event and a supporting statement from their supervisor. A detailed report on the use of the scholarship funding is to be submitted to the Trust on completion of the travel or learning.
Applications to include:
- Application form, completed and signed
- Applicant’s CV
- Detailed itinerary or plan of travel and/or educational development
- Covering letter from the Dean of Faculty
- Supporting statement from a supervisor
Dr Angela Van de Wouw awarded the inaugural $15,000 Farrer Memorial Mid-Career Award in 2024
A/Chair of the Farrer Memorial Trust Ms Kate Lorimer-Ward has announced Dr Angela Van de Wouw as the first recipient of the Farrer Mid-Career Award for her extraordinary contributions to blackleg disease of canola.
The new Farrer Mid-Career Award was introduced in 2024 by the Farrer Memorial Trust to acknowledge exceptional achievements in Australian agricultural science made by a mid-career professional.
“The inaugural award is an exciting development for the Trust, with many mid-career professionals deserving acknowledgment for having already contributed significantly to the Australian agricultural sector,” said Ms Lorimer-Ward.
“The award consists of a $15,000 prize for travel and/or further education to promote Australian agricultural science and to deepen and widen the awardee’s knowledge of the agricultural sector, as well as the opportunity to meet and network with the alumni of Farrer Memorial Medal winners that can help to mentor and open doors for continued career growth.
“The Trust were impressed with the caliber of nominations for this new Award, and we look forward to continuing this acknowledgement in future years as part of the suite of Farrer Memorial Trust activities including the Farrer Memorial International Travelling Scholarships and the distinguished Farrer Memorial Medal that has been awarded annually since 1936.
“Dr Van de Wouw is most certainly a worthy recipient of the inaugural award, being an internationally recognised expert on blackleg disease of canola,” Ms Lorimer-Ward said.
Dr Van de Wouw was nominated for the award by her post-doctoral supervisor, Professor Barbara Howlett from the University of Melbourne, who highlighted Dr Van de Wouw’s impressive range of skills in classical and molecular genetics, plant pathology and agricultural extension, that few at her career stage possess.
“Her excellence in innovation is evident by her outstanding record of publications and grant successes, and the numerous invitations she receives to international conferences and industry meetings,’ said Professor Howlett.
“Her rural background has enabled her to communicate her findings readily and coherently to farmers and agronomists.
“Dr Van de Wouw has discovered new ways to control blackleg disease of canola through a multi-disciplinary approach which includes identifying the blackleg resistance genes in Australian canola varieties, using molecular markers to detect blackleg resistance genes in canola and disease management strategies such as rotation of blackleg resistance genes.
“The multi-disciplinary approach has been adopted across Australia and prevents millions of dollars of crop losses each year.
“The resistance groupings corresponding to particular blackleg resistance genes in canola that Angela developed are now routinely used in breeding strategies, and by agronomists and grain growers for selecting cultivars for sowing,” said Professor Howlett.
Dr Van de Wouw has received various accolades for her work, including being one of only 25 successful applicants to receive an Australian Research Council mid-career Industry Fellowship and the only one in the field of agriculture.
“Receiving the first Farrer Mid-Career Award is a special honour,” said Dr Van de Wouw.
“William Farrer has a special place in Australian agriculture as a pioneer of agricultural research in this country and to know I have received an Award in his name is a privilege.
“I would like to thank Professor Barbara Howlett for the nomination.
“Receiving this award highlights the importance of having great mentors in your life that support you through your career, and I encourage all younger researchers out there to establish those connections and make the most of them,” Dr Van de Wouw said.
Dr Van de Wouw is currently focusing her research towards understanding fungicide resistance and how growers can minimise the risk of it evolving and how to manage it when it does.
She is planning to use the $15,000 received as part of this award to spend time abroad with other fungicide resistance groups to gain insight into the research being done in this field and establish collaborations for future research.
Dr Kevin Moore announced as the 2023 Farrer Memorial Medal winner
A/Chair of the Farrer Memorial Trust Ms Kate Lorimer-Ward has announced has announced Dr Kevin Moore as the recipient of the 2023 Farrer Memorial Medal.
Dr Moore, a renowned plant pathologist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, has dedicated his career to improving the productivity and sustainability of chickpea crops. His ground breaking work in disease management, particularly Ascochyta blight, has significantly advanced the industries understanding and ability to protect chickpeas, ensuring better yields and stability for farmers worldwide.
From developing innovative disease forecasting models to leading research that has helped safeguard one of our most vital pulse crops, Dr Moore’s contributions have been nothing short of transformative. His efforts have not only enhanced agricultural practices but have also played a crucial role in food security.
Congratulations to Dr Kevin Moore on his remarkable achievements and his well-deserved recognition as the 2023 Farrer Memorial Medal recipient.
Donations to the Trust
The Farrer Memorial Trust welcomes donations from those with a commitment to the Australian rural industry to help it fund:
- the Farrer Memorial Travelling Scholarships
- the Farrer Memorial Research Scholarship postgraduate award for study or research in agriculture
- the annual award of the Farrer Medal.
The Trust is required by an Act of Parliament to fund these activities totally from investment income, and not from capital. Escalating costs, however, are making it difficult to keep the awards at an acceptable level and continue the medal presentations.
Cheques in favour of the Farrer Memorial Trust may be sent to the Secretary, Farrer Memorial Trust, GPO Box 5477, Sydney NSW 2001.
For more information about donating to the Farrer Memorial Trust, contact the Secretary.
Trustees of the Farrer Memorial Trust
- Chair Farrer Memorial Trust - awaiting new appointment
- A/Chair Ms Kate Lorimer-Ward, Chief Executive Officer, Local Land Services
- Professor Alex McBratney, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, University of Sydney
- Dr John C Radcliffe, AM.
Non-Official Trustees
- Geoffrey Mason, AM
- Rohan Wilson
- David Davidson
Secretary
Vicki Priest, Manager - Programs, Boards & Committees
Telephone | 0436 454 533 |
|---|---|
Address | Ms Vicki Priest |
| farrer.memorialtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au |
Annual Reports
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2019 (PDF, 3.9 MB)
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2018 (PDF, 4.6 MB)
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2017 (PDF, 6.4 MB)
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2015 (PDF, 2.4 MB)
- Farrer Memorial Trust Annual Report 2014 (PDF, 3.0 MB)
- Farrer memorial Trust Annual Report 2020 (PDF, 2.3 MB)
Older annual reports for the Farrer Memorial Trust can be found on the DPIRD web publication archive.
