Local students benefit from SBS Bank support

7 December 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

Local students benefit from SBS Bank support

Two Central Otago horticulture students have been given a helping hand from SBS Bank this year following the presentation of two new scholarships.

SBS Bank senior agribusiness manager Anne Ashby-Neilson said the new partnership with the Central Otago horticulture campus was a very rewarding one and it had been a pleasure to present a $500 scholarship to both Kate Barnett and David McGann.

“Our team at SBS rural considers the sponsorship of horticulture scholarships at the Central Otago campus to be an excellent opportunity to support those who are committed to learning. It is these people who will potentially become the future leaders of the industry.”

“Getting behind our people and our community is hugely important to us at SBS Bank and we don’t just talk about it, we like to put that commitment into action through sponsorship and support just like our new scholarship programme.

“Both recipients are extremely deserving and, in Kate’s situation, she has balanced fulltime study along with bringing up three young children, which is no mean feat. David has made a similar commitment working full time in the industry while also studying part time,” Anne said.

The SBS Bank scholarship was greatly appreciated by Kate after juggling a busy home and study life.

“Fulltime study and motherhood are extremely tricky to balance and it wouldn’t have been possible without my wonderful husband Matt helping to get me through.

“I’m extremely grateful to SBS Bank for the scholarship and it’s already been put to good use and has gone towards an irrigation system for our orchard block.

“It’s extremely exciting for anyone to be the recipient of something of such value and I’m so pleased that Anne and the team at SBS Bank saw fit to make such a great gesture of support back to the local community and students like me. It means a lot.”

ENDS

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