The award, facilitated by the Ballarat Foundation, is open to young people aged 21 to 30 who are passionate about cattle breeding and keen to expand their knowledge on the world stage.
Since 2009, the award has supported 16 future industry leaders to travel, learn and contribute to the future of Australian agriculture.
The current award recipient, Matt Cooney, recently returned from a three-continent study tour that saw him visit leading operations and genetic facilities in the United States and Europe.
From preparing show cattle in Colorado to forging partnerships with breeders in Belgium and Germany, Matt’s journey highlighted the value of global collaboration in cattle genetics and production.
“This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Matt said.
“It’s opened doors, deepened my understanding of the industry and connected me with people who are shaping the future of cattle breeding around the world.”
A highlight of Matt’s tour was his hands-on involvement with Archer Valley Ranch in Idaho, where he helped prepare and show cattle at the prestigious National Western Stock Show in Denver, contributing to multiple wins in the American Aberdeen category.
He also visited major genetics facilities including ORIgen and Transova, as well as leading ranches in Montana and Wyoming.
His time in Europe offered the chance to see Australian genetics at work overseas, including calves bred from Lowline semen exported years earlier.
The award honours the legacy of Matthew George, a passionate young stockman who dreamed of travelling the world to learn from the best in the field before his life was tragically cut short.
The award aims to carry his vision forward by providing others with that opportunity.
Applications for the 2025 award are now open and close on Wednesday, July 4 at: https://www.ballaratfoundation.org.au/
