Ag Tech

Scholarship to help keep Luke on the land after life-altering car crash

Beef Central 29/01/2025

Luke O’Sullivan has won a scholarship to help with drone piloting skills on his family’s cattle station.

A NORTH Queensland cattleman who became a quadraplegic after a car crash has received a bursary to become a drone pilot, to assist with work on his family’s cattle property.

SkyKelpie, in partnership with Ability Agriculture, announced Luke O’Sullivan as the recipient of the inaugural SkyKelpie Scholarship.

Luke, 20, lives and works on his family’s 57,000-acre cattle station near Collinsville, Queensland. Two years ago, Luke sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic. Despite this life-altering event, he remains deeply committed to the agricultural industry and is determined to contribute meaningfully to his family business.

The SkyKelpie Scholarship is an innovative initiative designed to support individuals passionate about agriculture and innovation. The program includes a drone credit of up to $3,000 or CASA-accredited Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), access to the SkyKelpie Aerial Stockmanship Course, the SkyKelpie Simulator, a ticket to evokeAg 2025, and 12 months’ mentorship with the SkyKelpie team.

Luke’s passion for agriculture is driven by a desire to overcome barriers and explore new ways to adapt his skills and knowledge.

“I believe I can still reach the same target of being productive and contributing to the agricultural industry despite my injury – it will just take a diVerent form,” he explains. “This scholarship will help me gain a new skill set to further contribute to the family business and explore innovative methods to perform tasks on the property.”

SkyKelpie’s partnership with Ability Agriculture highlights the shared vision of fostering inclusivity within the agricultural sector. The scholarship program was inspired by SkyKelpie founder Luke Chaplain, after being awarded the Minister’s Emerging Leader Award at the Queensland Agriculture Awards.

Instead of pocketing the $3,000 prize, Luke wanted to put the money to good use. Reflecting on the initiative, which he plans to make an annual occurrence, Chaplain stated: “I’m really excited to work with Luke towards achieving some of his goals. His hard work
and determination will undoubtedly inspire many others in similar positions.”

Luke O’Sullivan’s story exemplifies resilience, determination, and innovation, making him a fitting recipient for the SkyKelpie Scholarship. As the inaugural recipient, he sets a powerful example of how barriers can be transformed into opportunities through passion, adaptability, and the right support.

Source: SkyKelpie

 

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