On the 13th of October 2020, Leeton Shire local Buster Ryan passed away in a workplace accident while working for the Killoran Ag company.
Buster has been described as a man of integrity, who loved his family and friends and was always willing to pitch in to help the Shire he loved.
Buster was a former Citizen of the Year, known for his long-running involvement with the Yanco Lions Club, he was heavily involved with hay runs and a supporter and member of many other community groups and charities.
In honour of the contribution Buster made to the Leeton community, and to support the promotion of safe work practices among young workers and new entrants to vocational careers, the Killoran Ag company has partnered with the Rotary Club of Leeton to put in place the Buster Ryan Memorial TAFE Scholarship. The scholarship is open to any TAFE student currently studying, working, or residing in Leeton Shire LGA, was first awarded in 2024 to two TAFE NSW Leeton students, and will be awarded in 2025 and 2026 to two recipients in each of those years, with a total of $15,000 to be disbursed in the life of the scholarship.
The recipient of the Buster Ryan Memorial TAFE Scholarship will be allocated $2500 to spend on workplace tools or equipment that will enhance their health and safety on the job. Recipients will be able to bring the invoice for the items they wish to purchase to the Rotary Club of Leeton Treasurer, who will pay them on the recipient's behalf - the sum of $2500 will not be awarded in cash.
The Rotary Club of Leeton Treasurer will review all proposed uses of the scholarship money to ensure that the purchases meet the requirements of the scholarship. Once the scholarship recipient has spent at least $2400 of the total, any of the remaining $100 will be awarded as a store voucher at the recipient's preferred tools or equipment supplier.
$2500 will buy a substantial single item, or it may provide you with years worth of smaller consumables or parts. Most things that can be used in your work for any vocational education or training career will qualify, as the updating of equipment usually reduces the risks associated with equipment or part failures.
To apply for the Buster Ryan Memorial TAFE Scholarship, you must download and complete the scholarship application form (click here to download).
We recommend that you save the file on your computer before you start filling it out. If you try and fill the form out in the web browser it won't save your work. Even better, print it out and fill it out, then scan it back in and save a new file once you're done. You can also feel free to bring it in to your nearest TAFE NSW campus to be scanned.
Please follow the instructions as they are written on the application form.
We recommend that you save the file on your computer before you start filling it out. If you try and fill the form out in the web browser it won't save your work. Even better, print it out and fill it out, then scan it back in and save a new file once you're done. You can also feel free to bring it in to your nearest TAFE NSW campus to be scanned.
Please follow the instructions as they are written on the application form.
Applicants will be asked to outline in 200 words or less what they have learnt about the importance of Work Health and Safety. Employers are also asked to write in 200 words or less why they endorse the student's application, and to explain how the student demonstrates exceptional attention to work health and safety at their workplace.
After the Scholarship Application submission cut-off date, the Rotary Club of Leeton will convene a judging panel to rank the merit of all applications, and will select a winner. The winner will be informed via the same email address and phone number they provide on the application form, as will Killoran Ag, the student's employer, and the student's TAFE NSW teacher.
Please send all scholarship applications and enquiries to: leetonrotary@gmail.com
Applications must be received by the Rotary Club of Leeton before 11.59pm pm Sunday 6th September 2026 to be considered by the judging panel. The award ceremony will be at 12.00pm on Thursday 22nd of October at TAFE NSW Leeton, 117-119 Palm Avenue, Leeton NSW 2705.
