The family of a young Victorian man who lost his life in a tragic farming accident near Broken Hill has established a scholarship in his memory, aiming to transform their grief into a lasting contribution to the agricultural community he cherished.
Remembering Callum Smail
Callum Smail, aged 26, died on April 13 in a workplace incident on a remote property in New South Wales. He had recently become engaged to his partner Brittany and was preparing for what his family described as "the next chapter" of their lives together.
In a heartfelt tribute, Callum's father Jaime said their hearts had been shattered by the loss. "Like many families who have experienced loss in rural communities, we are now learning how to live with something no parent or sibling ever expects," he shared.
Jaime emphasised that Callum was deeply committed to the agricultural industry — the people, the work, and the lifestyle it offered. Originally from Ballarat, Callum loved the life that working on various stations across Australia gave him, from the red dirt to the endless horizons featured on his social media.
A Leader in the Making
Callum spent three formative years at Longerenong College in Victoria, where he built lifelong friendships and developed the values that shaped him as a young leader and a dedicated worker in agriculture. To honour those qualities, the Smail family is collaborating with the college to create the Callum Smail Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship aims to support students who embody Callum's traits of mateship, kindness, leadership, safety awareness, and looking out for others. The family hopes to begin awarding scholarships from 2027.
"While nothing can change what has happened to our family, we hope this scholarship may, over time, help support young people entering the agricultural industry," Jaime said.
The family says the initiative is not only a tribute to Callum but also a recognition of his passion and love for farming. A fundraiser has been launched to help establish the scholarship, with the family expressing deep gratitude for any support.
