THE University of Melbourne Chancellor’s Medal for Science has been awarded to a PhD graduate in the agriculture faculty for only the second time in 100 years.
Studying on a Dairy Australia studentship, Dr Lucia Boxelaar won the major university honour for her investigation of the Victorian Department of Primary Industries’ Developing Social Capability Project.
The project focused on involving communities in decision making about land management issues such as stubble burning and catchment management.
Dairy Australia managing director Dr Mike Ginnivan said the future of Australian dairying was dependant on attracting energetic, highly skilled and committed people into the industry.
“Dairy Australia actively participates in this process by offering scholarships and awards across a wide range of disciplines, including dairy manufacturing, farm research, industry analysis and agricultural extension,” Dr Ginnivan said.
Dr Boxelaar, a research fellow in the University’s Faculty of Land and Food Resources, was presented with the prize during a ceremony at the University’s recent Menzies Oration.
Her work identified impediments to participation of stakeholders and developed design criteria for a model to enable a diverse range of stakeholders to be genuinely involved.
“Dairying communities are increasingly aiming for environmental sustainability and my research into community involvement can help them,” Dr Boxelaar said.
“I would hope that my work will bring real benefits to the Australian dairying community in the very near future.
“I think this award recognises the importance of agriculture – especially dairying – and the need for cooperative approaches to deal with land management issues.”
Dairy Australia is funding a national three-year research project by Dr Boxelaar which will continue her work with dairy communities.
Dairy Australia research, trade and marketing initiatives are funded by a farmer levy and matching Federal Government funding.
