`Future' Fund for Roseworthy

The Roseworthy Campus and Student Fund was launched recently to support students, education and research at the campus. The Fund's patron, agri-businessman John Crosby, has his own fond memories of Roseworthy and was flattered to be asked to help promote the cause.

When John Crosby was doing his Diploma of Agriculture at Roseworthy--from 1968 to 1970--it was an all-male course and students had to live in.

"There were some obvious disadvantages in this environment," said Mr Crosby, "but one of the great advantages was the very strong camaraderie that existed."

The Crosby family originally farmed at Kadina and all four Crosby boys attended Roseworthy--their attendance spread over 11 years.

"As well as giving you the background science into how things work, the Roseworthy diploma showed us the means of finding out information and assessing the accuracy of information. It gave me the confidence to have a go," said Mr Crosby.

Although the family moved their farming operation to Moree in New South Wales and Mr Crosby was away from South Australia for 25 years, Roseworthy was the source of lifelong friends with whom he always finds it easy to "pick up where we left off".

In NSW, a move into agri-politics in his early 30s led to a position as Senior Vice-President with the National Farmers Federation. From there he became Chairman and Chief Executive of the Meat Authority in NSW and then Business Development Manager with Elders.

In more recent times, back in South Australia, he's refocused on his farming enterprise (JR Crosby and MJ Fisher at Lucindale is the state's largest maize producer) and has established several agricultural trade, management and consultancy businesses under his AgGroup umbrella.

As Patron of the new Roseworthy Campus and Student Fund, Mr Crosby will be helping the management committee promote the fund to potential supporters and raise its profile.

"I was very flattered that the Committee thought I could help and very pleased to do so," he said.

The new public fund was launched earlier this year at a special gathering of graduates, friends of Roseworthy and representatives from the agricultural industry.

An initiative of the Roseworthy Old Collegians Association (ROCA), the Fund aims to: support and encourage students through scholarships, prizes and other financial assistance; enhance facilities for education and research; encourage study and research through study awards; and develop outreach activities to help transfer knowledge to the wider community.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha said: "The name `Roseworthy' has long been synonymous with excellence in education and development of new technology in agricultural and natural resources industries.

"The Roseworthy Campus and Student Fund will help ensure Roseworthy keeps producing future generations of leaders and innovators."

The Fund will be championed and managed by a high-profile committee of co-patrons under the chairmanship of The Hon. Dr Bruce Eastick AM.

To find out more about the Fund, or to make a contribution, please contact the Development and Alumni Office of the University of Adelaide on (08) 8303 4994. ■

Story Robyn Mills