Peter Westblade Scholarship
The Peter Westblade Scholarship honours the late Peter Westblade, who passed away in 2008, a true visionary of the sheep industry, epitomising compassion and devotion to a cause. Peter was passionate about breeding profitable sheep, 
a strong supporter of young people interested in agriculture and had a balanced approach to all things. His legacy lives strongly amongst those who had the fortune to know such a great person.
The Peter Westblade Scholarship has been developed in conjunction with the Peter Westblade Memorial Merino Challenge (PWMMC) which has been developed to assist Merino breeding operations make more informed decisions on their Merino genetics. The PWMMC has been deliberately designed to show the entrants in the Challenge and the wider sheep industry the genetic opportunities that exist for them to be more financially sustainable into the future.
Why does the Peter Westblade Scholarship exist?
The Peter Westblade Scholarship exists to promote the practical skills associated with the sheep and wool industry and aims to deliver hands on experience to young people aspiring for a career in this dynamic industry.
The Peter Westblade Scholarship is designed to:-
- Provide practical education and mentoring for young participants in the sheep and wool industry.
- Encourage young people into the sheep and wool industry demonstrating and showing opportunities and career pathways.
- Promote, demonstrate and adopt new technologies within the sheep and wool industry.
Scholarship Recipient – Jo Newton
This is year’s winner is Jo Newton. Jo comes from a city background and has done the opposite to most of her city friends by pursuing a career in the Australian Sheep Industry and in doing so following her dream. Jo has recently completed a four year degree at Armidale (UNE) and has just commenced further study, undertaking her PhD in the area of Sheep Genetics, in particular genetics related to sheep reproduction.
The Peter Westblade Scholarship has allowed Jo to travel to South Australia where she attended the Super Borders Conference and also to Victoria where she attended the LambEx Conference in Bendigo.
The scholarship has enabled her to learn about the latest research and tools available to sheep producers; visit key studs and commercial breeders in South Australia and to expand upon Jo’s farm experience which to date has focussed on the New England and Western Victoria regions. Jo’s future plans will be to spend time with key commercial and stud breeders in Southern NSW, including Pastora.
Jo will be presenting a summary of the activities, experiences and bene” ts that the Peter Westblade Scholarship has afforded her at the Peter Westblade Memorial Merino Challenge dinner in April 2013 (Temora).