A rollercoaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
First established in 1996, the David Johnstone Charitable Trust Science and Education Scholarships came about due to David Johnstone's desire to help young people succeed.
Since then, the trust has awarded $2.4million in scholarships to approximately 460 Waikato students, helping them progress their tertiary education
This year saw 34 Waikato secondary school students received the scholarships, worth $6000 each. The awards go to students who are embarking on a science or teaching degree at the University of Waikato or Wintec in Hamilton.
Yunus Hanif, regional manager Northern at Perpetual Guardian says it is a privilege, year on year, to help implement Johnstone's vision.
"David was born in 1909 to one of the Waikato regions pioneering farming families. The death of his father compelled him to leave secondary school to work on the family farm," says Hanif.
"On account of his reduced schooling, David very much enjoyed seeing youth succeed; particularly academically."
Johnstone continued to farm with his brother until they split the farm into separate blocks.
In 1970 at the age of 62, he sold his Whatawhata farm to his nephews and purchased the 1000 hectare Orini Downs Station in the north Waikato.
Johnstone was particularly fond of native bush, and when he sold Orini Downs, he retained a 40-hectare block, which today has reserve status.
Johnstone died in 1990, by which time he was a well known for his stockmanship, services to the industry and other ventures such as the National Fieldays for which he was a founder.
The trust came about in 1984, while Johnstone was still alive, but Hanif says it was not until 1996 that the trustees established the scholarship.
"His generosity in establishing the David Johnstone Charitable Trust has meant that hundreds of Waikato students, today and in the past, have received a helping hand-up in their education," says Hanif
This year's scholarship recipients represent 21 schools across the wider Waikato region, including Cambridge, Hamilton, Tokoroa, Thames, Matamata, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Piopio, Te Kauwhata, Te Awamutu.
