30 September, 2026
In 2002, Herefords Australia received a significant legacy from the estate of the late Mrs CM (Madge) Hocking to provide an ongoing annual scholarship bursary for Australian citizens undertaking studies that will benefit the Australian Hereford industry.
The legacy was invested and yields around $5000 a year to fund the bursary.
Mrs Hocking, along with her husband ‘Hock’, who worked with Dalgety New Zealand Loan at Geelong, began breeding Herefords on the family farm, Oakdene, near the seaside resort of Ocean Grove, in the early 1960s. Oakdene is now the home of an award winning winery and up-market restaurant and function centre of the same name. Another part of the property has been subdivided for a large residential development known as Oakdene Estate.
The late Mrs Hocking was devoted to her Hereford cattle and the betterment of the breed. Never satisfied, Mrs Hocking worked tirelessly to improve her herd buying bulls from studs such as South Boorook, Ardno, Midgeon and Golf Hill.
In 1975 she purchased the first of many Hereford bulls at the then huge Sydney Royal sales.
The Oakdene Herefords had an outstanding reputation regularly topping Melbourne’s Newmarket saleyards. Recognised as having a good eye for cattle, she was always keen to pass her knowledge on to the next generation.
The CM Hocking Scholarship embodies her love of Herefords and her keen interest in young people.
The bequest was her way of saying ‘Thank You’ to the Hereford breed.
The CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship Opens 1 August 2026
Whether you’re chasing a future in ag, running your own cattle business, studying something beefy, or just need a boost to take your next big step, this is for you.
The CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship is your chance to secure $5,000 to support something that will shape your future and benefit the Hereford breed. It’s not just for uni students, it’s for anyone with a plan, a passion, and a vision for where they want to go.
Whether you’re heading to TAFE, uni, starting a research project, heading off on a beef tour, or building your own on-farm initiative, this scholarship is about backing you.
What do we want to see?
Real passion. Big energy. Clear goals. You don’t have to know exactly where you’re going, but you do need to know why it matters. This is your chance to tell us how you’re going to make a difference and how we can help you get there.
Applications close 2 November 2026. The scholarship will be announced at the 2026 Future Leaders & Breeders Industry dinner on 10 November 2026.
The CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship:
Herefords Australia invites applications for the 2026 CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship from 1 August 2026. Applications will be considered from Australian citizens who are undertaking a course of study that will be applied to the breeding and management of Hereford cattle and/or will be of benefit to the Australian Hereford breed.
The scholarship entails a once off payment of up to $5000 which is to go towards the successful applicant’s study expenses.
Applications are to include the following:
Applicants may be required for interview which is normally conducted by telephone/Zoom/in person.
Successful applicant will need to provide a written report with details of the outcome of the scholarship, what education it provided you and how it has helped the future of the Hereford breed.
An invitation will also be extended to the successful applicant to present their report in person at the 2027 Future Leaders & Breeders Industry Dinner.
The location of the event, date and the distance from the successful applicant’s place of residence will be taken into consideration. Attendance and presentation at the dinner will therefore not be a compulsory requirement where travel is considered logistically or financially unviable.
Where personal attendance is not possible, the successful applicant is to provide a short video presentation of their report, which may be shared with attendees at the Industry Dinner.
Applications must be emailed to info@herefordsaustralia.com.au
