In line with their mission to support, educate and empower female beer professionals, Pink Boots Society Australia is proud to open applications for their annual scholarships to the IBA BrewCon beer conference.

Pink Boots is offering four members the opportunity to attend the conference, held in Melbourne on 4 and 5 September. The successful applicants will receive a ticket to the conference, return economy flights and accommodation.

To apply for a scholarship, applicants will need to discuss in 500 words or less:

• Why you would like to go to the conference?
• What you expect to get from the conference?
• How will you ‘Pay It Forward’ to your fellow Pink Boots Society members?

Since 2016, Pink Boots Society Australia has offered scholarships to BrewCon for members to develop their knowledge and skillset and network with industry. A key consideration of the scholarship applications is the Pay It Forward, an opportunity for recipients to build on their conference experience with benefits for both themselves and their fellow members.

The Pay It Forward was the idea of Pink Boots Society founder, Teri Fahrendorf, when establishing the scholarship program.

“When I was designing what Pink Boots Society could or would be, I thought about what the society could do to help women surmount and surpass anything that could be holding them back, I determined that education could do that” says Teri. “Education is how we are going to get women to the next level of their careers.”

“So we had a plan for the scholarship program and our goal is to support every woman in beer around the world. We wanted to make the whole world, and the beer world, a better place than we found it in a fair and ethical way – so how do we help others beyond the scholarships? We have to ensure that each scholarship benefits as many members as possible and the beer industry at large. I realised that communication was key and the Pay It Forward came to be.”

“The Pay It Forward requirement ensures as many people benefit as possible through sharing the knowledge gained. Recipients can represent themselves as experienced and qualified women authors and speakers, who automatically become role models for our younger members (and role models for potential female beer drinkers) just by being visible.”

“It helps our members “step up” toward becoming tomorrow’s beer industry leaders through gaining confidence and communication skills through completing their Pay It Forward.”

Zoe Ottaway, Vice-President of Pink Boots and the society’s Scholarship Coordinator, said “As a not-for- profit organisation, we are so pleased we are able to offer scholarships again this year. BrewCon is an educational anchor for the Australian beer industry, as well as a significant networking opportunity, and to be able open this to four of our members is something that every supporter of Pink Boots Australia should be proud of.”

The scholarships are open to anyone who is a Pink Boots member. Membership is open to women who are actively employed or retired from a career in the beer industry, who are in the process of opening a brewery or are students currently enrolled in a beer industry focused program. Membership in Australia is currently free. Any membership queries can be directed to Pink Boots via info@pinkbootssociety.com.au.

Applications are to be sent as a Word document to info@pinkbootssociety.com.au by 5pm Friday 21 June. Terms and conditions for the scholarships can be found via the website.

Successful applications will be notified on Wednesday 31 July and the Scholarship Recipients will be announced on the Pink Boots Australia Facebook page.

Zoe added, “The opportunity to send members to the conference is only possible due to the events and brew days we hold. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported these events and to every venue across the country who put a Pink Boots beer on tap”.

“Pink Boots Society Australia would also like to thank the judges involved in the 2019 application process – Jayne Lewis (Two Birds Brewing and inaugural Pink Boots Society Australia President), Ben Kraus (Bridge Road Brewers), Stephanie Howard (Cryer Malt), Selena Henshall (Bintani Australia), Luke Robertson (Ale of a Time) and Teri Fahrendorf (Founder of Pink Boots Society).

For more information, please contact: Zoe Ottaway Pink Boots Australia Vice President and Scholarship Coordinator e: info@pinkboots.com.au m: 0407 126 474.