The Ballarat Foundation is proud to announce the winner of the Matthew George Young Stockman Award for 2023 is Lochie McLauchlan.
The Matthew George Young Stockman Award provides an opportunity for young breeders, aged 21 to 30 years, to undertake a study tour of beef cattle breeding programs, developments and practices. As well, they act as young ambassadors for the beef cattle industry in Australia. The winner of the Matthew George Young Stockman Award for 2023 was announced at the Royal Melbourne Show Agriculture Hub on Saturday 23rd September, by Matthew's parents, David and Lorraine George.
Winner Lochie McLauchlan (centre left), pictured with David George, Ballarat Foundation Board Director, Angus Pryor and Lorraine George.
Matthew George lived in the Stockyard Hill area in Victoria and at age 19 he purchased a property about 7 kilometres from his parents’ farm. Matthew died in November 2007, aged 21, as a result of a motor vehicle crash close to home. Following Matthew’s death, the Angus cattle family of Australia rallied together, along with local business from Beaufort and Ballarat area in Victoria, to form The Matthew George Young Stockman Award in his memory.
The award is managed by the Ballarat Foundation and previous recipients have used funds to participate in overseas study tours. Lochie plans to travel to the United States of America in 2024 to fulfil the scholarship.
An important moment -Lochie receives the certificate and trophy from Lorraine George.
Lochie, aged 20, grew up on his family farm located in the south-west Victoria, Mortlake. He has been involved in livestock care, selling and industry shows and sales from a very young age. When Lochie was 17, he was given the opportunity to travel to Canada for 3 months to live with a family and show cattle alone side them. In those 3 months he gained a passion for travelling and since wanted to go back.
We wish Lochie the very best of luck for his upcoming study tour and for his future career in the industry.