Harden lad, Tom Stewart, is all set for university now after becoming the inaugural recipient of the James McInerney Memorial Scholarship. The son of Andy & Maree Stewart, the first year Charles Sturt University will receive $19,000 per annum as part of a $76,000 scholarship. The scholarship was established by the family of James McInerney, a man whose love of the land took him from Bondi to running a farm after 25 years hard work. The scholarship was thus founded to “support the academic endeavours of students passionate for the study of Agriculture and a life on the land.” For Tom’s family, the news that he had received the scholarship came as a surprise. “It came out of the blue,” said Tom’s father, Andy. “He has worked very hard and we are very proud of him.” “Hopefully, it will set me up,” said Tom. Tom is currently living on campus and is studying Agricultural Science. The scholarship will cover the costs of his studies, including accommodation. “It’s a huge load of his shoulders,” said Andy. “A lot of other kids at university are doing it tough financially.” “Now, his destiny is in his hands.”