Highly respected Bundaberg fruit and vegetable identity, the late Edwin Tesch, is to see his life's work continued through encouraging students to pursue a career in horticulture.

The former Premier Fruits' Bundaberg Farm Manager and Board member of the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Cooperative will have a scholarship set up in his name between the two organisations and CQUniversity.

CQUni's Professor Phil Brown (second from right) discusses the scholarship with BFVG Executive Officer Peter Hockings (red shirt), Edwin's widow Kay Tesch and Rodney Griffith, the Premier Fruits Group, National Accounts Manager

The Edwin Tesch - Premier Fruits Group & Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers Co-operative Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student each year in their pursuit of a career in Agricultural and Food Science under a Bachelor of Science degree.

CQUniversity's Professor of Horticultural Science Phil Brown* attended the scholarship announcement to welcome the initiative.

He said CQUni's Agricultural and Food Science specialty within the science degree aims to address the tertiary skills shortage in agricultural in Queensland. LINK for details of the Agricultural and Food Science specialisation within the Bachelor of Science.

Details about the scholarship will be available via http://www.cqu.edu.au/scholarships

Premier Fruits Group National Account Manager, Rodney Griffith, said the scholarship would reflect Mr Tesch's ‘passion' for the industry and the Bundaberg region, as well as his work ethic and commendable attributes as a businessman and family man.

"His legacy will always live on in our company through our culture, the farming operations and the wonderful influence he had on all with whom he engaged," he added.

The late Mr Tesch had been associated with Premier Fruits Group for many years prior to becoming the company's Bundaberg Farm Manager in 2005 and in helping to establish its operations in Brisbane. Premier Fruits Group operates fruit and vegetable farms in the Bundaberg region as well as prominent wholesale and distribution operations throughout Australia.

Mr Tesch also had a strong association with the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Cooperative, including serving on its Board as a Director.

* Professor Phil Brown is based at Bundaberg where he is CQUniversity's Professor of Horticultural Science, a position jointly funded by CQUniversity and the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.