The first of the 2024 Australian Baking Industry National Scholarship Awards’ (ABINSA) Regional Scholarship winners have been revealed.

Three of baking’s rising stars have been announced for the Sydney J Packham Baking Industry Medal:

• Rebecca Tracey from CJ’s Bakery, SA – Western Region
• Lauren Robin from Coles Beaudesert Qld – Northern Region
• Maylee Howard from Porter Ave Bakery, Vic – Southern Region

Certificates of Excellence were also awarded to:

• Shauna Murphy (South Australia)
• Rachel Crawford (Victoria)
• Brianna Foster (NSW)

2023 winner Caleb Braszell described winning the scholarship as awesome.

“After putting all the hard work in, into the theory behind it… being able to actually stand up and accept the award was pretty cool.

“I’ve always wanted to go to a big baking convention. Seeing different equipment and processing – I find that stuff fascinating.”

All the regional winners will travel to Melbourne on October 20 for their five day, four night scholarship adventure. The National Champion for the award will be announced at the ASB Chairman’s Dinner on October 23.

The entries for the Arthur E Denison Trophy are still being judged, but are expected to be revealed soon.

The winners for both the Sydney J Packham Industry Medal and the Arthur E Denison Trophy will receive a course at the San Francisco Baking Institute in 2025.

The Australian Baking Industry National Scholarship Awards (ABINSA) were established in 1991 by the Australian Society of Baking with the aim of providing a national competition that promotes thought, discussion, debate and action on key issues that will affect the industry.