2016 Coopers Brewery/Playford Trust Honours Scholarship
My scholarship allowed me to continue studying and complete an Honours degree at the University of Adelaide’s Waite campus, focusing on improving steep conditions during the malting process.
My relationship with Coopers blossomed into a career at the brewery at Regency Park where, after about 18 months in the main laboratory (beginning in 2016), I was directly involved in the commissioning of the malthouse (2017) and setting up the plant for full-scale production (2018).
My main Honours mentor, Dr Doug Stewart, is now my manager and is still my most important supporter and advisor at the malthouse.
I now work as a technician full time. My role is varied and includes running the fully automated plant (steeping, germination and kilning vessels); testing the quality of the barley on incoming trucks; out-loading finished malt; and various cleaning tasks. I’m also involved with barley procurement and export logistics.
Because I had additional knowledge of malting, Coopers recruited me into their ‘brewer cadetship program’ which gave me the opportunity to complete a three-year diploma in brewing. I was also able to attend industry functions, like exhibitions and conventions, to network, increase my knowledge, and further Coopers’ presence in the industry.
I have had the privilege of maintaining my relationship with the Playford Trust by attending several of their events since 2016. I look forward to meeting the future recipients of the Coopers Playford Trust scholarship, and hearing about what differences they are making to further industry in the state of South Australia in the same passionate way Thomas Playford did all those years ago.