Shepherd scores study boost

Dan McLeod and trainee Matthew McMurray. Mr McMurray could go into his last year of study worry-free thanks to a grant from the the Eric and Zita Lawrence educational fund. Photo/Stuart Munro

A young Wanganui resident who scored a coveted shepherd-training position has had his second year of study fully paid for by the Wanganui Returned & Services Association (RSA).

Matthew McMurry, 19, was one of five chosen to train at the Waipaoa Station agricultural training programme near Gisborne, out of about 50 applicants across the country.

His first year of study cost $5000, which was not covered by a student loan. The RSA paid for this year's costs of $7000 out of a fund for the descendants of war veterans.

The Eric and Zita Lawrence Fund was set up when veteran Eric Lawrence left his house to the RSA, asking the money be used for education.

"As much as possible we like to be able to help people," said RSA member Steve Vautier.

Each year students apply to the RSA for a grant to help with their education costs, and members interview applicants to decide who should get paid, and how much.

Mr McMurray was expecting one or two thousand dollars to help towards his costs, but was surprised to receive a cheque in the mail for the full amount.

"It's really, really good - not just for me, but for my parents."

Because he hadn't been able to get a student loan, Mr McMurray's parents had paid for his first year of study, which he planned to pay back.

Now he didn't have to worry about finding weekend work while he studied, he said.

RSA president Dan McLeod told Mr McMurray they were "very impressed" with his CV.

"Maybe when you have 20,000 acres and 59,000 sheep you'll remember us," said Mr McLeod.

Mr McMurray said the first year was learning about fencing, spraying, and other general work. In the second year they would start working with stock and breaking in horses.

"It's the sort of place I would recommend to any young guy wanting to do shepherding," Mr McMurray said.

"I'd like to thank the RSA - it'll be a bloody big help."

The programme provided a job at the end of the two-year course, he said.

His end goal was to have a farm of his own.

Mr McLeod said from now on they expected applications for the RSA fund to be in by the middle of October.