MORE than 160 excited students and teachers from seven schools in the Mid-North Coast region were awarded for completing Cows Create Careers - Farm Module, on Monday, October 20, at Wauchope RSL.
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The presentation day recognised the eight schools that had participated in the program - Kempsey High School, Melville High School, Port Macquarie High School, St Paul's College, Kempsey, Camden Haven High School, Taree Christian College, Wauchope High School and Taree High School.
Prizes were awarded to the winning schools and to student teams such as Bagged Up and Blue Bells.
Cows Create Careers - Farm Module is a Dairy Australia program that aims to increase the awareness of dairy industry careers in a very hands-on way. Secondary students are educated by rearing two three-week-old calves at school and the school is provided with dairy industry curriculum for years 7 and 8 and years 9 to 11, at no cost.
Since 2006 Dairy Australia has worked with thousands of students, teachers, farmers, industry advocates and communities through its investment into Cows Create Careers - Farm Module.
Dairy Australia's industry capability program manager, Tracy Lloyd, said the program started in 2004 with dairy farmers in the Strzelecki Lions Club in Victoria and nine Gippsland schools. With support from Dairy Australia, regional development programs, dairy farmers and sponsors, the program has now grown to over 180 schools across Australia with 8357 students completing the program in 2013.
"Cows Create Careers - Farm Module is a program that builds awareness of dairy industry careers - from teaching students about educational and vocational pathways, to profiling the diverse range of professional careers in the dairy industry," said Ms Lloyd. "By bringing calves into schools, students have fun learning about the different skills required in the dairy industry."
The program has gained strong support from dairy farmers and advocates across Australia. Last year alone volunteers gave 1162 hours of their time across 22 Australian dairying regions.
The National Centre for Dairy Education Australia also plays an important role by being an educational link for the schools.
Locally, the project is funded by Dairy NSW, Mid Coast Connect and receives additional support across the state from local companies Vella Stockfeeds, Provico, Genetics Australia and Murray Goulburn,which have continued to support the program in the NSW Mid North Coast region.
"Volunteers play a vital role in encouraging and supporting student career decision making," Ms Lloyd said. "The program directly benefits from the generous dedication of volunteers who have knowledge of the industry and links to education and employment sectors."
For more information visit http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/education-and-careers/secondary-school-resources
Dairy Australia is the national services body for the Australian dairy industry. For more information on Dairy Australia and dairy service levy investments visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au
The company acts as the collective investment arm of the industry, investing in essential research, development, extension and industry services.
