Hay Inc launches tenth rural education program

2024 Hay Inc students - Back Row (from left): Tahlea Jefferies, Darcy Neisler-McKeon, Isabelle Willis, Siobhan Morgan, Matt Lenehan, Lily Huggins and Georgia Wragge.

Middle: Anthony Jones, Clay Jones, Brooke Watts, Sarah Davies, Jackson Brinin and Fraser Pinnuck. Front: Austin Taylor, Georgia Atkinson and Beth Simmons.

Image: Hay Inc.

By Krista Schade

Hay Inc. launched their tenth highly regarded Rural Education Program last week, with a cohort of 16 students.

The participants hail from Hay, Ivanhoe, Condobolin, the Central West region and eastern Riverina, ranging in age from 18 to 25 years.

This year female students make up the majority of the class.

“A couple of students have grown up in cities and keen to have a career in agriculture,” program manager Sandra Ireson told The Riverine Grazier.

“Some are studying Rural Science and Agriculture at University and are developing their practical skills some are on family farms and are keen to broaden their networks and learn new ideas.

“All are eager to learn from the experience Hay Inc Rural Education Program Trainers who have many years of knowledge to share.”

The tenth cohort will undertake their learning on a variety of livestock properties in the Hay district and gain insight from the property owners and managers.

The week started off with a welcome event last Sunday evening, where the group met each other and some of the Hay Inc Committee and trainers. They were given an outline of the week ahead by Hay Inc Chairperson Richard Cannon and Mrs Ireson.

The Lugsdin Family from Lugsdin Toyota kindly donated gift vouchers to each of the Hay Inc students and these were presented at the welcome event by Stacey, Ian and Harriet Lugsdin.

To kick off the program workplace health and safety training was delivered by Tocal Ag College, funded by Agskilled and with the assistance by Robert Gibson of Croidon Station.

The students weren’t in the classroom all day as the training also included a site visit to the Croidon shearing shed and yards.

On day two first aid training was delivered by TAFE and was again funded by Agskilled. The full day also included a talk by Jacquie Crawford from Hay Inc and an evening event dealing with financial literacy. This was presented by Geoff Lisle from the Rural Financial Counselling Service and local financial consultant Susan Hanna.

The group enjoyed accommodation at the Outback Quarters Motel and dinner at the Indian restaurant.

The rest of the week was spent on farm at Wyvern Station Carrathool, where sheep handling training was delivered by Chris Bowman, Ed McFarland, Glen Walker and Rhys Warren, who passed on their valuable knowledge in sheep handling, administering livestock medications.

The group was also given an on-farm butchering demonstration by Booligal grazier Matt Ireson.

The final training day was spent on instruction on two-wheel motor bike and quad bike operation, delivered by Tocal.

The group will return to Hay in early March to take part in working dog training, a shearing school and fence construction and maintenance.

“The Hay Inc Committee are very grateful for the funding they receive from Key partner Australian Wool Innovation and support from NSW Government Regional Community Grant, Engie, Rabo Bank Client Council and TA Field Estates.” Mrs Ireson said.

“Hay Inc are pleased to be able to support the local Hay businesses who welcome the young adults into the Hay Inc community.

“It is great to be able to give these young people the opportunity to come to Hay, experience learning in the Hay agricultural environment and make networks within the ag industry, new friends and receive mentoring from the generous volunteers who offer their knowledge and support.”

Hay Inc has grown from strength-to-strength in its first ten years and has featured in Outback Magazine, The Land Newspaper, Australian Wool Innovation’s Beyond the Bale magazine and on ABC’s Landline television program.

Since 2013, 130 young people have graduated from the unique hands-on program and the organisation won the Ambassador Award at the 2023 Hay Business Excellence Awards.

Hay Inc has also created an Alumni Program, to ensure graduates stay connected.

For information on enrolling in the program visit hayinc.com.au.