Herbert River Farmer’s League Celebrates Young Students With Generous Bursaries

Annually, the charitable Herbert River Farmer’s League presents generous bursaries to celebrated youths of the Herbert Valley who are enrolled at tertiary institutions, and just last month, the club awarded its 2025 bursaries to three fortunate students.

At an event held at the Ingham RSL on the 5th of July, James Cook University (JCU) Occupational Therapist student Isabella Hemmett (formerly of Ingham State High School), JCU Physiotherapy student Emily Scott (formerly of Gilroy Santa Maria College) and JCU Veterinary Science student Cooper Morley were each presented with one of the Herbert River Farmer’s League bursaries in celebration of their academic excellence and commitment.

First established in 1897, the Herbert River Farmer’s League is comprised of delegates from various groups within the Halifax Planters Club and all have associations with the region’s rich agricultural and sugar cane farming practices. In its earlier years, the Herbert River Farmer’s League worked closely with the Australian Sugar Producers Association, the Australian Cane Growers Association and the Queensland Canegrowers Association.

In 1977, the club began its educational efforts to support students from the district who wished to attend the Queensland Agricultural College in the Burdekin Shire, and overtime, the League has invested just under $400,000 into the education of local students, awarding over 100 bursaries.

For more information on the bursaries and the work of the Herbert River Farmer’s League, email Chairman, Maurice Filei at filei36@bigpond.net.au.