Tim Eastwood, is a third year student at the University of Adelaide studying for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science as well as a Bachelor of Commerce (Corporate Finance).
Earlier this year, Tim was nominated by Professor Amanda Able to represent the University of Adelaide and received a Produce Marketing Association (PMA) scholarship to attend the Hort Connections conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre in May. This horticulture industry conference and trade show brought together over 2000 delegates from 15 countries and was co-hosted by AUSVEG and PMA Australia-New Zealand Limited (PMA ANZ).
“I learnt a lot from this event about the entire supply chain from farm to consumer,” Tim said.
“PMA-ANZ had also organised mentors for us in areas of interest, mine being global trade and export. This meant that we had someone to show us around the tradeshow, introduce us to many contacts they knew and answer all of our questions, which was great and made networking with people very easy.”
Of the 10 students that attended Hort Connections from across Australia, Tim was one of two selected to receive a scholarship to attend Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong in September. This event is Asia’s leading fresh fruit and vegetable trade show and attracted more than 13,000 trade visitors from 76 different countries.
Tim Eastwood (left) with PMA-ANZ CEO Darren Keating (centre) and the other scholarship recipient, Samantha Ha, from The University of Sydney.
“Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong was huge in comparison to Hort Connections,” Tim said after returning to Adelaide. “A lot more business was conducted which was interesting to see.”
“The speakers at the ASIAFRUIT Congress on the first day were fantastic and engaging to listen to. They covered numerous topics but my favourite was Mapping the new trade landscape about global trade and where it has been, where it is currently and where it may go into the future.”
“Once again we met and networked with businesses and learnt where they fitted into the supply chain, making many valuable contacts with the help of mentors. Business matching sessions conducted in the Taste of Australia stand brought together potential buyers and exporters while showcasing some of Australia’s fresh produce.”
Tim grew up on the family farm in Kaniva on the Victorian and South Australian border. “The farm is about 1400 hectares, and is mostly broad acre cropping,” he said. “I still help out on the farm during my holidays and in particular for harvest over the summer.”
“My passion for agriculture started there and eventually spurred me to study a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at The University of Adelaide, as well as also adding a Bachelor of Commerce into my study plan.”
Tim said he is considering getting into the agribusiness banking sector when he graduates, but is open to other opportunities. “The PMA-ANZ scholarship and my experiences at Hort Connections and Asia Fruit Logistica have broadened my horizons to where I could potentially go within the horticulture industry.”
“It has been a valuable opportunity to explore alternative areas that I never previously considered I might be interested in.”