The Eastern Bay farming community came together on Friday night to pay tribute to one of their own and celebrate the “enduring force of good” that has evolved from his tragic death.

Local farmer Rod McPherson was just 63 when he was killed in a farming accident in 2022, prompting his family to set up a scholarship fund in his name.

Over 50 people attended the event which was hosted by fund manager Eastern Bay Community Foundation and held at the Awakeri Events Centre.

The first of its kind for the foundation, the event was a chance for scholarship recipients Emma-Rose Black and Alex Iremonger to share the impact Mr McPherson’s legacy fund had on their lives.

Ms Black – who comes from a farming background in Ōpōtiki and has been awarded the scholarship twice – noted that while the financial support was appreciated; it was the emotional support that was really special.

“The connections I’ve made through receiving the scholarship have been amazing.

“It gave me a lot more confidence in what I’m doing ... knowing that there are people outside of my immediate family that supported me and wanted to see me succeed.”

The scholarship fund, established by donations from Mr McPherson’s friends and family, as well as several businesses in the Eastern Bay and beyond, has been distributing scholarships for three years.

Mr McPherson’s wife, Jacqui, spoke movingly of the legacy and the loss, and how proud his family were to see the mentoring and training that he was so well known for continue.

Scholarship recipient for 2025, Alex Iremonger, also spoke at the event, expressing how appreciative he was of the scholarship.

Having decided farming was his calling after working for free on a dairy farm during his school summer holidays, the scholarship has enabled him to pursue a Pamu farming apprenticeship in Taupō.

Eastern Bay Community Foundation chair Scottie McLeod said how proud he was of this scholarship and pleasing it was to have many farmers in the room supporting the industry.

“It’s an amazing legacy. We hope that the annual scholarship will encourage more students and serve to strengthen the agricultural sector in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.”

Foundation manager Angela Jackson said such funds had the potential for lasting impact for young people.

“The funding for study costs is important, but alongside that, the support and having people believe in you and your chosen career is profound.”

The Eastern Bay Community Foundation has several scholarships available, which will be open for applications in August. Its main aim is to connect people with the causes they care about, while growing funds to support the community long term.

To find out more about the Rod McPherson Memorial Rural Scholarship or the community foundation go to www.ebcf.nz