Funding for the annual scholarship was donated by John B. Fairfax, a senior vice-president of the NSW RAS, organisers of the Sydney Show, and a director of Fairfax Media, publishers of Stock & Land.

“We are thrilled to announce an annual scholarship of $10,000 will be awarded to a student who is undertaking studies in journalism or a field related to agriculture at either an undergraduate or post-graduate level at university,” foundation manager Maria Chilcott said.

“The successful student will need to demonstrate an active interest in rural affairs and a commitment to pursuing a career in rural journalism on graduation.

“In future years as the program grows, and more individual donors contribute a minimum $50,000, a number of these scholarships will be offered,” she said.

RAS president Rob Vickery also welcomed the scholarship as a means to attract more talented young people into rural journalism.

“It’s important to tell the stories of Australian agriculture and important to tell them well,” Mr Vickery said.

The NSW Royal Agricultural Society Foundation is a philanthropic organisation launched at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show with the aim of encouraging educational excellence and fostering sustainable rural and regional communities.

The foundation this week also announced it was calling for applications for its $25,000 Question initiative which is open to former Sydney Royal Showgirl and Rural Achiever entrants.

The successful applicant will receive $25,000 to address a need or an issue in their town.

Applications for the JB Fairfax Rural Journalism Scholarship close on October 15, 2008.

The winner will be announced next February and invited to attend a special presentation ceremony at the 2009 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Applications for the $25,000 Question close in January, 2009.

The winner will also be announced at next year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.