Each year, NSW Farmers awards five tertiary scholarships to members or their children to support their university or vocational qualification in a field relevant to regional and rural Australia.

The recipients hailed from the Riverina, the North West and Central West, and were all committed to improving farming futures.

Scholarship recipient and Rural Science student Jennifer Corderoy from Narromine said the scholarships would enable this year’s recipients to open doors and unlock opportunities within their careers.

“Receiving a scholarship from NSW Farmers has provided me with the necessary funds to do further work experience while I study, applying my textbooks to the field and learning much more on-the-job,” Ms Corderoy said.

“Importantly, this scholarship reflects the community unique to our industry, in which one generation gives a ‘leg up’ to the next.

“By studying Rural Science, I am being equipped to address farming challenges, and hope that the contributions of my career to our industry will be a return on the investment of NSW Farmers in me.”

Future farm leaders

NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee Chair Deb Charlton said the scholarships had a proven track record of helping future farm leaders find their passion in agriculture and rural communities, with this year’s cohort already showing exceptional potential in their chosen field.

“As an industry body, we have a responsibility to open doors and provide opportunities for the talented next generation coming through,” Mrs Charlton said.

“These students have shown a clear commitment to their studies and I have no doubt each and every one of our recipients has the potential to make a real difference within regional communities through their chosen career.

“These recipients are to be congratulated for their efforts, and I look forward to seeing all they are able to achieve through the help of the program now and into the future.”

The 2024 NSW Farmers Tertiary Scholarship recipients were:

• George Hatty, Matong – E.L. O’Brien Scholarship
• Jennifer Corderoy, Narromine – John White Memorial Scholarship
• Ellie Peart, Gulargambone – Alan Chapman Memorial Scholarship
• Andrew Newton, Gurley – Graham Blatch Memorial Goobang Scholarship
• Ann Porter, Forbes River – Paul Lockyer Memorial Scholarship

The post Future farm leaders honoured appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

As we bid farewell to another eventful year in agriculture, we take a look back at some of the most popular stories from 2023: from the perils of mushroom foraging to the rise of agritourism, to the charismatic TikTok farmer hailing from Walcha to the enduring legacy of the Suttor family.

Deadly mushrooms

This year, a poisoning incident put mushrooms back under the spotlight – with experts and industry growers once again warning the public on safety matters when foraging. In this article, the Australian Mushroom Grower’s Association shares some important ‘dos and don’ts’ for consuming mushrooms safely.

Farmer wants a tourist

Agritourism options have boomed this year in response to land use changes that enable NSW landowners to offer farmstay accommodation and camping, as well as value-adding to farm businesses. Check out some of the ways farmers are embracing this rise in agritourism on their properties.

Tractor talk

For Chris Holmes – and many farmers – his beloved tractor is an integral part of operations that handles a lion’s share of the work. We dive into a short history of Australian tractors, and look at the future of tractors and farming machinery.

The TikTok famous farmer

It’s only fitting that a true blue Aussie larrikin, Jack Archdale from Walcha in Northern New South Wales, has risen to stardom in just a short year. His success is all thanks to an app called TikTok, and he’s taking to the term content creation like a bull in a china shop.

We hope you enjoyed The Farmer magazine stories this year, and we’re looking forward to bringing you even more top reads in 2024.

The post A year in review with The Farmer magazine appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

The trucks are travelling a total of 77,660km, with the 1,200 bales of premium hay set to directly assist 125 farmers and their families.

The rapid return to drought conditions this season, along with the recent bushfires in the Upper Hunter, caused many in the region to reach out to the Aussie Hay Runners organisation, requesting assistance.

So with the support of the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, Scott Stevens and the Heyfield Lions Club, Ray Akers of Gippsland Hay Relief, Aberdeen Lions Club, and Steve Carton of Denman Lions Club, Aussie Hay Runners (AHR) are heading to the Upper Hunter area for the first time.

This will be AHR’s 11^th run, with hay donations coming from farms in Victoria and southern New South Wales, according to AHR’s founder Linda Widdup.

“It’s so dry up there,” says Linda. “I had people emailing me and it’s a heartbreak. I’m very lucky – I’m in the southwest of Victoria and we’re pretty drought proof there. We might get a little bit crispy on the grass, but not to the extent of the people doing it tough up in the Hunter.

“I’m just gobsmacked that we have such a great community of people, to have these 34 trucks loaded and on their way,” she says. “I’m getting goosebumps. I’m so proud of our volunteers and so thankful to all the help we’ve got from the RAA, [Gippsland] Hay Relief and the Lions Clubs.”

The trucks are heading to their meet-up point of Marulan NSW on Thursday 12 October. On Friday morning, the convoy of 34 trucks will set off via the Hume Highway travelling through Sydney via the M7 and M2 around 9:30am, onto the M1 with a rest stop at the Ampol Service Centre Wyong around 10:30am. They will continue up the M1 onto the Hunter Express Way around 11am to arrive in Merriwa early afternoon.

Friday night and Saturday morning, the hay-running volunteers and drivers will be looked after by Aberdeen Lions Club who will provide dinner and breakfast. Saturday will be spent delivering to drop-off locations, with help from Denman Lions Club.

Since AHR’s beginnings four years ago, the organisation’s large group of volunteers has delivered a staggering number of donated bales to NSW farmers. To date, 267 trucks have driven 10 runs over 683,380km, delivering 9,856 bales to the value of $936,320 and assisting more than 1,000 farmers. This year, another five runs are on the calendar.

“It’s not a hand out – it’s a hand up,” says Linda. “You’ve just got absolutely awesome, generous people helping us make this happen. I’m a farmer’s daughter and I’m off the land, and it’s hard to see people struggle. A lot of our guys have big acreage farms, and they cut what they need for their customers and then they simply say ‘We’re going to cut a 50-acre paddock for you too. It puts a smile on their dial to be able to help, and actually a lot of the guys that do cut it also come along on the runs with us. They love to get out there. Farmer to farmer, it lifts a lot of spirits.”

Follow the convoy on AHR’s Facebook page; if you see them on the road, Linda hopes other drivers show support with a toot and a wave!

The post 1,200 hay bales coming to the Upper Hunter appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

Set in one of NSW’s food production centres, HMFD is known to draw more than 60,000 attendees annually from the farming community, hailing from a 500km radius who attend the Field Days to purchase, learn, research future investments, network and socialise. The event offers a comprehensive display of farming machinery, outdoor and camping gear, farm produce, agronomy advancements, rural lifestyle trends, and services from government, health, agribusiness and finance sectors.

In its previous edition in 2022, the event attracted a record crowd of 70,000 over three days and showcased machinery and technology worth over $150 million from 750 exhibitors spread across the 105ha site.

Visitors are enjoying the unique atmosphere and easy-to-navigate layout of the location on the Buckingingah Creek – a feat, considering the site contains more than 3,500 businesses.

Highlights of the event include:

•          Henty Machine of the Year Award: This prestigious award is a major attraction at the field days.

•          Working Sheepdog Trials: These trials are a testament to the skill and training of the dogs and their handlers.

•          Country Lifestyle Pavilion: This area showcases fashion, jewellery, handcrafts, advisory services, schools, universities, food and house and garden products.

•          Farm Gate Produce Market: A showcase of regional produce ranging from bread, cheese and wine to preserves, smallgoods, fruit, vegetables and gourmet meats.

•          Baker Seeds Agronomy Trials: These trials present the latest in seed technology and farming practices.

•          Helicopter Joy Rides: These rides offer a unique perspective of the event and the surrounding area.

•          Live Entertainment: The field days also feature live entertainment for visitors to enjoy.

•          Outdoor Monster Fish Tank: This attraction provides an interesting diversion for visitors.

•          Natural Fibre Fashion Awards: These awards celebrate the use of natural fibres in fashion.

•          Vintage Farm Machinery Display: This display showcases the history and evolution of farm machinery.

The NSW Farmers shed is well kitted out for a big week at the event, particularly bringing together partners and farm safety advisors. This is because one of the key focuses of NSW Farmers at the event is farm safety, aiming to raise awareness about dangers associated with fatigue and how to mitigate these risks, especially considering the potential labour shortages that could cause farmers to work longer and harder.

In addition to this, the NSW Farmers shed is hosting President Xavier Martin, policy staff from the NSW Farmers environment team, the Young Farmer policy advisor, and a representative from the Farm Safety Advisory Program. Refreshments will also be served by the famous CWA volunteers.

For more information about the Farm Safety Advisory Program, you can visit their website or visit NSW Farmers at Block O, site 620 at Henty Machinery Field Days until tomorrow.

Don’t miss: the sheepdog trials

The Henty Working Sheepdog Trials, run by the NSW Sheepdog Workers Incorporated, is a prestigious event that draws the nation’s top competition dogs and their handlers. In 2022, around 100 elite dogs from various states competed for a prize pool of $4000, trophies, and ribbons.

The event is an open trial, where handlers can enter their best four dogs. The competition involves a three-sheep field trial where the dogs guide the sheep around a designated course. The dog starts by rounding up the sheep and bringing them back to the handler. Together, they navigate through obstacles including a race and bridge, aiming to pen the sheep within a 15-minute time limit.

Starting with 100 points, the judge deducts points for any faults. The event also coincides with the Murray Valley Yard Dog championships as part of the Henty Machinery Field Days, making the yard dog and three-sheep field trials some of Henty’s most popular attractions.

The post Meet us at the NSW Farmers shed at Henty appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

This vibrant city that sits on the meandering Murray River dividing NSW and Victoria, Albury has long occupied this river crossing location on the traditional land of the Wiradjuri people, with sister city Wodonga within sight on the opposite, Victorian bank of the river.

Home to 57,000 people, Albury is surrounded by rich farming land and is known for its buoyant art scene, great outdoor adventures and innovative food and wine offerings.

According to the Albury District Historical Society records, Albury was first recognised as a port in 1856. Steamers including the Albury, Lady Augusta, Gundagai, Corowa and the Cumberoona plied the waters bringing goods, produce and people to the developing town. By the 19th century Albury was a market for wheat, wool and wine.

Today the mighty Murray remains the lifeblood of the city, although the more modern way to reach Albury is via the country’s busiest highway. Many people have tales and memories about an overnight stop on road trips between Sydney and Melbourne.

It’s a summertime ritual to float down the river and, no matter how much the temperatures climb, the water is always ‘fresh’ and clear, and often takes your breath away. Kayaking and canoeing are popular, with the elusive giant Murray cod drawing plenty of fisherfolk too.

Riverside

Popular Noreuil Park is home to the new $6.49-million Albury Riverside Precinct that includes a walking and cycling path, floating docks, pathways and a barbecue area.

Albury mayor, Cr Kylie King says the project has transformed the iconic Murray River and the heart of the CBD.

“Whether it be sitting by the river with a coffee, getting out for a walk or ride, attending a community event, or sightseeing along the Murray for the first time – it’s fabulous.”

Cr Kylie King, Albury mayor

The Albury Hume Weir, a 15-minute drive from the CBD, is another favourite spot for locals and visitors.

It took 17 years to build between 1919 to 1936, and holds more than six times the volume of Sydney Harbour. This massive aquatic wonderland is ideal for boating, paddleboarding, fishing and water-skiing; a walk over the dam wall offers up great opportunities for photos.

A short 10-minute drive west of Albury brings you to the Wonga Wetlands. This ecosystem of manmade lagoons and billabongs is unsurprisingly a birdwatcher’s paradise, with six bird hides and more than 155 identified species.

The Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk is another picturesque five-kilometre trail showcasing 11 significant contemporary works created by local Aboriginal artists including the Bogong Moth Migration and Maya fish trap sculptures, and carved totems telling traditional stories unique to the local mob.

Taking the top spot

Albury has now been named the 2023 Aussie Town of the Year by popular travel app Wotif, and it’s become a magnet for short getaways and weekend breaks. Glen Robinson, general manager of Albury Business Connect, which has 388 members, says business owners are optimistic after a tough time and are looking for new opportunities.

“It’s been a real boost being named number one destination spot in Australia. This city has so much going for it and, although it may take 12 months to pick up, I think it will and is already reflected in tourism growth,” he says.

“Albury is a great place for families, couples, retirees and singles – it’s also an easy place to live where you don’t have to worry about traffic. Housing is more affordable than the city, and there’s work available.”

Glen says Albury has a very supportive community, with everything needed by residents, such as excellent educational and medical facilities.

Over at 588 Dean Street, hospitality leaders and owners of the micro-hotel chain CIRCA, Ririn and Kevin Yaxley took on the challenges of renovating the city’s Art Deco Commonwealth Bank building from the basement to the ceiling in 2019. Along the way they discovered an original terrazzo staircase hidden under layers of carpet and linoleum.

“Taking an old building and bringing it up to today’s standards is tricky. It costs a lot of money because it is a change of purpose, but we had confidence it would work well,” Ririn says. The hotel offers three immaculately restored suites and studios with a contemporary feel including the Hart Suite, named after Australian artist Pro Hart; the Warhol Suite, a tribute to Pop Art superstar Andy Warhol; and the Diddley Studio after the American rock’n’roll guitarist Bo Diddley. There’s also a day spa and art gallery.

Art and soul

A quick wander up the main street leads to the eclectic Murray Art Museum Albury – known as MAMA – which showcases an exciting photography collection, as well as touring and local exhibitions. It’s located in the former Albury Town Hall, renovated in 2015. Acting director Michael Moran says the art museum is an incredible asset for Albury.

“There is very little like it in regional Australia, offering new and contemporary exhibitions and a place of education for families with a great children’s gallery and activities,” he says.

Upcoming exhibitions include the work of Newell Harry, an Australian-born artist of South African and Mauritian descent, from 28 July to 26 November this year.

In another show of confidence in the city and its arts culture, Albury art lover Jacinta Mirams opened her own private gallery, Art Partners Australia, in 2016.

Her exhibitions have included works by Terry Batt, Peter Caddy, Robert Klein-Boonschate and Lorraine Connelly-Northey.

The gallery, located at 488 David Street, holds regular workshops and stocks fine art supplies.

“It’s particularly rewarding to see regional artists showcase their work in a gallery with a city environment and to see the workshops being well supported,” Jacinta says.

“The gallery offers regular exhibitions that evoke emotions and challenge as well as intrigue and entertain.”

Albury is also set to get a new creative space, thanks to Council plans to renovate an old disused pumphouse near the Murray on the outskirts of Albury, which has been awarded a $2.9-million contract.

Over the years, the city has seen many circus performers graduate from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, the Australian national youth circus. The Hothouse Theatre also presents thought-provoking original productions in the historic butter factory theatre on the Causeway between the twin cities.

Time to dine

The surrounding rich food bowl provides year-round fresh produce to hatted restaurants and the popular local farmer’s market, held every Saturday morning.

Throughout the city, there is plenty of choice for places to dine.

River Deck Cafe, located in a beautiful setting at Noreuil Park and surrounded by huge shade trees, has been taken over by new owners Tom and Emilly Cencic, who are excited about bringing great food to the people of Albury in such picturesque surrounds.

Bistro Selle, Canvas at MAMA art museum, Level One Restaurant and Wine Bar, and Yardbird, all champion excellent casual dining; Ebden & Olive tempts with meals and picnic additions and, next door, Nord Bakery makes delicious Scandi bread and pastries.

In a first for Albury, regenerative farmer Jake Wolki opened his 24/7 self-service retail butchery at Lavington. Customers can famously only become members after doing a free farm tour to learn about where the food comes from.

“We want customers to understand our values and our ethos and what we’re trying to achieve – it lets people buy into our mission,” says Jake.

As a thriving place to visit, live and work, Albury is no longer just a place to cross the river – it’s a place to linger.

Why Albury?

Glen Robinson, general manager of Albury Business Connect says it didn’t take him long to return to Albury a second time to make his home here.

“It’s an excellent place to live, with career opportunities and jobs available if you are looking for work,” he says.

“Albury is well serviced and it’s great to see the local TAFE is bringing back tourism training and courses. I can see why it was named the number on tourism destination in Australia.”

The post The city on the riverbank appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is also predicting the return of El Niño, wagering on an 80 per cent chance between July and September.

“The world should prepare for the development of El Niño, which is often associated with increased heat, drought or rainfall in different parts of the world,” said WMO Secretary-General, Professor Petteri Taalas.

“It might bring respite from the drought in the Horn of Africa and other La Niña-related impacts but could also trigger more extreme weather and climate events.”

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said farmers in NSW are preparing for the inevitable return of dry times.

“There is a level of apprehension amongst farmers across the state. It does vary from valley to valley, but there is a lack of green in the landscape,” Xavier told ABC Radio.

“Farmers are alert to changes in the season, and make preparations accordingly. We are hunkering down for what’s predicted to be a difficult winter, but we have been there before.”

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin

“We’ve had this run of wet years and the haysheds and silos are largely full. Farmers are also getting better and better at managing groundcover and looking after our topsoil.”

Xavier said El Niño’s return does present a risk for dryland winter cereal crops that were sown in May and livestock producers, who have been rebuilding herds and flocks since 2019.

The BOM’s criteria for the definition of an El Niño alert have been developed as part of a staged system to alert Australians on the increased likelihood of El Niño.

BOM Senior Climatologist Catherine Ganter said climate models and indicators do meet the Bureau’s El Niño alert criteria.

“While the models show it’s very likely the tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures will reach El Niño levels during winter, we have seen some movement in the atmosphere towards El Niño conditions,” Ms Ganter said.

“While our El Niño alert criteria have been met, these changes will need to strengthen and sustain themselves over a longer period for us to consider an El Niño event.

“The Bureau’s long-range winter forecast is for drier and warmer conditions across almost all of Australia, and the climate conditions in the Pacific Ocean are already factored into our forecasts.

“The long-range forecast for winter also shows an increased chance of below-average rainfall for almost all of Australia and the move to El Niño alert does not change this forecast.”

Who is El Niño?

El Niño is part of a climate phenomenon called the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system.

ENSO describes a naturally occurring cycle in the climate system, including the location of warmer or cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, and its connection with the trade winds and patterns in the atmosphere.

It has two opposite states – El Niño and La Niña – both of which significantly alter weather patterns across the globe.

For the last few years, the world has been in successive La Niña periods, which have lowered temperatures and brought heavy rains to Canada and Australia. The tropical Pacific is currently in an ENSO-neutral state (neither El Niño nor La Niña).

Ms Ganter said El Niño’s impact can vary depending on where you are, as well as from event to event.

In Australia, changes during El Niño could include:

• Reduced rainfall for eastern Australia.
• Warmer daytime temperatures for the southern two-third of Australia.
• Increased risk of extreme heat.
• Increased bushfire danger in south-eastern Australia.
• Increased frost risk linked to clear skies at night.
• Decreased alpine snow depths.
• A later start to the northern wet season.
• Reduced tropical cyclone numbers.

El Niño hiccup

The El Niño forecast is likely to cause a hiccup in the National Farmers Federation’s ‘$100 billion by 2030’ plan, with ABARES predicting a 14 per cent contraction in the agricultural sector in 2023-24.

Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said the reduction was to be expected after the records broken in the past three years.

“The value of agricultural production will still reach $79 billion in 2023-24, which is an expected fall given the circumstances,” Dr Greenville said.

“We are expecting exports to follow suit, falling by 17 per cent to $65 billion in 2023-24, which would be the third-highest result on record.”

Crop production in 2023-24 is forecast to fall by 34 per cent from record production volume in 2022-23. At the same time, domestic prices for most crops are expected to fall in 2023-24.

Horticulture production is expected to buck the trend. ABARE predicts an increase of $1.5 billion in production value to reach a record $18 billion, reflecting strong growth in nut production and increasing domestic fruit and vegetable consumption.

“The wine industry will also rebound from a challenging 2022-23, as the expected drier conditions in 2023-24 should reduce the occurrence of disease which reduced the 2022-23 crop.”

Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville

“The results are more mixed for the livestock sector. There will be slight increases in production across beef, sheep and milk, but a drop in the value of livestock production to $35 billion in 2023-24 because of lower prices.

“We are also expecting a strong 2023-24 for the wool market. Strong demand for Australian from China is forecast to increase wool prices, with production values expected to rise by $175 million in 2023-24.”

Read more on preparing for the next drought here.

The post Goodbye La Niña, hello El Niño appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

While this move was welcome, NSW Farmers workplace relations spokesman Chris Stillard said, it would still hurt family businesses across the state.

“It remains to be seen how the average premium increase will be applied to each industry, but our initial calculations show that a mixed farming business with total wage bill of $350,000 will have to fork out around $6000 more in premiums over the next three years,” Chris said.

“Of course this is much better than it would have been if rates had gone up by 22 per cent, but it’s coming at a time when electricity, fuel, interest rates and other inputs are also rising.

“It’s getting more and more expensive to grow food and fibre every day, and this will push some businesses to their limit.”

The NSW Farmers Workplace Relations team ran a number of scenarios to determine the increased cost for small agricultural businesses and found an apple grower might end up paying an additional $5879 in three years’ time, while a shearing contractor could pay an additional $15,742 in premiums.

“There are different rates for different industries and businesses, but these scenarios show that these insurance premium rises will have a real impact on businesses,” Chris said.

“This isn’t just farmers who will pay more – it’s everyone in the supply chain, from the grower to the transport operators, warehouses and distribution centres, to retailers and restauranteurs.

“It will put further pressure on employers who are trying to meet these costs, and I would expect the full impact of these changes will ripple right throughout the workforce and supply chain.”

The post Workers compensation insurance rate rise appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

Dairy Australia’s Picasso Cows curriculum program for primary students aligns a school with a local dairy farmer and teaches children about their favourite dairy food. It has involved more than 1,000 schools since 2009. 

These are just some examples of why the key for achieving $30 billion by value of agricultural production by 2030 is education. Agricultural education programs teach students how to be farmers, and trains tomorrow’s scientists, nutritionists, teachers, drone pilots, software developers, agronomists, and many others. 

In NSW, education department figures reveal the number of students enrolling in HSC level agricultural electives has remained steady at around 1,500 students.

Agriculture is already embedded within compulsory food and technology subjects in years 7 and 8, and schools and teachers are also encouraged to come up with ways to integrate agriculture and food production into the food and technology subjects. 

There are four specific agricultural schools in NSW, and approximately 300 government and non-government schools offering agriculture and VET primary industries elective subjects. 

For many rural children growing up embedded within an agricultural environment, importance is placed upon learning about a wider world, and to help them do that, a number of schools offer scholarship programs. Here we look at some of them. 

Preparing young women for the modern world

One of the biggest girls’ boarding schools in NSW is Loreto Normanhurst, and more than 85 per cent of the school’s boarders are from rural NSW. There are more than 190 boarders at the school in 2023, contributing to a broad and rich culture of experiences and learning, fostering friendships for life among the student cohort. 

Loreto Normanhurst’s Bursary and Scholarship program is focussed on enabling girls from rural and Indigenous backgrounds to access the school’s holistic curriculum. 

Celebrating 125 years of excellence in education, the school is not resting on the laurels of past achievements, and instead, is looking to the future. 

A 30-year masterplan includes a new purpose-built boarding school due to be opened in 2025. This will provide increased boarding accommodation to more than 200 students, flexible communal spaces, and reflect the school’s vision to create a modern, ecologically sustainable home for boarding students.

The boarding school is available for students needing full time and flexible boarding options. This includes catering for students participating in extra-curricular activities, who also live locally.

The school’s open day on March 4, 2023, is an opportunity for families to tour the school and learn from existing students about their experiences at Loreto Normanhurst. 

loretonh.nsw.edu.au

Agricultural and equestrian pursuits 

The only co-educational boarding school in Bathurst, Scots All Saints College boasts a working farm for cattle and sheep, an equestrian centre, as well as full showjumping and cross-country courses. 

The College Farm is set on about 40 hectares of the campus and hosts both Limousin and Australian White studs, livestock cross-breeding and finishing programs, and rotational cropping. 

A unique feature of Scots All Saints College is the facility for boarding students to bring their horses to school during the term. The equestrian centre is close to the boarding houses, and students can choose between shared paddocks, large private yards, or a combination of paddock
and yard. 

The well-appointed boarding houses provide accommodation for students in years 7 to 12, enabling them to walk to class and participate in a variety of after-school tutorial and homework programs.

When students are participating in sporting fixtures and cultural events, the parent accommodation enables remotely located families from a distance to attend and enjoy their child’s involvement. 

An annual scholarship program assists with tuition and boarding costs, and is open to new and existing students seeking to join Scots All Saints College in 2024. 

Students are invited to apply for a number of scholarships – academic, all-rounder, agriculture and performing arts – music, dance and drama.

scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au

Making positive connections

A sense of belonging is crucial for positive wellbeing and learning for many people, and in particular adolescents. Wesley College’s boarding facility, Learning in Residence, provides an innovative and contemporary home for students in years 9 to 12. 

The eight two-storey residences each house up to 16 students and one staff member. Small group tutorials and individual learning assistance supports students to complete their homework and assignments, balanced against sport, performing arts, community service, debating and other co-curricular activities. 

During the year there are numerous opportunities for creating positive connections between boarders, with initiatives including welcome letters from peers, community dinners, a gratitude box, student acknowledgements and weekly check-in conversations with mentors. 

Student feedback, combined with staff input and resourcing, has led to the development of a variety of activities and events that anchor students to their cohort and community. 

Wesley College’s boarding facility is situated within the school’s spacious Glen Waverley campus, and it offers weekly and full-time boarding – catering for the needs of students from afar and near. Students from metropolitan Melbourne, rural and regional Australia, and international locations, all benefit from staying at Wesley College’s boarding facility. 

A leading co-educational open-entry International Baccalaureate World School, Wesley College’s Senior School students have a choice of academic pathways – the Victorian Certificate of Education or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. 

Learning in the Harbour City

Located only eight kilometres east of Sydney’s central business district, Kincoppal-Rose Bay is nestled in among extensive private bushland, with easy and direct access to harbour beaches.

Kincoppal-Rose Bay school educates boys and girls from three years of age to the end of year 6. From years 7 to 12, Kincoppal-Rose Bay educates young women, offering day and boarding places at the school. 

The school’s Sacred Heart values are central to contemporary learning and practice, and the school is part of an international network of 150 schools across 41 countries. This unique network provides students with the opportunity for international exchanges, on their quest to becoming globally minded citizens. 

Against the serene backdrop of Sydney Harbour, boarders at Kincoppal-Rose Bay live and learn on the picturesque edge of Australia’s biggest city, with the natural bushland and foreshore setting providing opportunities for an array of exercise and outdoor activities. 

Boarders can also take advantage of the many cultural and learning opportunities within Sydney, visiting museums, galleries, local cinemas, local markets and sporting games within a short distance.

On weekends, boarding staff facilitate an array of activities on campus and around the city, including beach activities and water sports such as kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and surfing.

krb.nsw.edu.au

Boarding closer to home

Boarding regionally at Kinross Wolaroi co-educational school in Orange is increasingly a strong option for parents wanting to keep their children connected to home and family, while receiving an education with academic challenge, and co-curricular opportunities. 

Of the 1,100 students attending Kinross Wolaroi School from prep through to year 12, around 320 of them are boarders. Boarding is available from years 7 to 12, and about 40 per cent of the senior school students are residents in the boarding facilities. Boys live on the main school campus, Wolaroi, and girls live on a separate campus five minutes away. 

The majority of students boarding at Kinross Wolaroi School are from families living in regional NSW, and they relish the extra opportunities at the school – from supported homework study, to a busy weekend activity program, and creating friendships that will last a lifetime. 

The emphasis on creating a boarding home at Kinross Wolaroi School helps students to develop independence and a strong sense of self. 

Parents are welcome to visit during term time, enabling families to spend quality time together, while their children benefit from a strong academic program on a regional campus. 

Extra curricular activities include debating, rowing, the cadet program, pathways to higher level sport and academic challenges, and participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. 

kws.nsw.edu.au

Investing in the future 

Agriculture is embedded within STEM education – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and has been recognised as a highly technical and specialised field of learning for future generations. To this end, the NSW Government has made agriculture compulsory as an education topic. 

To ensure mandatory agricultural education within the syllabus by 2024, the aim of the current NSW Government, resources need to be allocated for teacher professional development and supporting curriculum material within and outside the classroom. 

The NSW Government has also committed to investing in a new Centre for Excellence in Agricultural Education and has acknowledged the importance of partnerships in delivering high quality lessons and activities. 

The Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia, through its Primezone Academy and Farmer Time programs, hosts more than 600 curriculum-aligned food and fibre education resources, aiming to embed the value of Australia’s food and fibre production in schools and community.

If you enjoyed this feature on agricultural schools, you might like to read our story on agricultural programs in regional schools.

The post Ag schools are cream of the crop appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders announced the new $2.6 million program in Lightning Ridge this week.  

He said authorities will ramp up the fight as part of a coordinated effort to create a containment line to stop this prickly problem in its tracks.

“Record rainfalls and flooding, on the back of a prolonged period of drought, has created a perfect storm for the pest plant,” Mr Saunders said.

“This investment will allow us to get boots on the ground and surround these thorny pest plant populations with a targeted hit of spray to pause further spread.”

The program will also target current infestations within the containment line by hitting Hudson Pear with biocontrol armoury in the form of cochineal insects.

These tiny insects were first released for the biocontrol of Hudson pear in November 2017 in NSW and Queensland and have proven to be a formidable enemy of the cactus. Read more here.

The DPI has been mass-rearing the biocontrol agent in laboratories at Lightening Ridge so it can be released in bulk to attack the Hudson pear population.

Mr Saunders said the funding will also secure two full-time positions to lead and oversee the response until 2027.

“There’s no quick fix when it comes to Hudson Pear, but what this program does is ensure we can go hard with spraying for the next few months, have people on the ground overseeing the work, and long-term we will utilise the cochineal to eat away at the infestations inside the containment line,” he said.

NSW Farmers Western Division Chair Gerard Glover welcomed the announcement.

“Hudson Pear has been a thorny problem for farmers for a number of years, so it’s great to see this response from the NSW Government,” Mr Glover said.

“Biosecurity – both domestic and abroad – is a critical issue for our state, and it’s pleasing to see this one being tackled.”

NSW Farmers Western Division Chair Gerard Glover

Castlereagh Macquarie County Council Chairman Councillor Doug Batten also welcomed the NSW Government’s strategy.

“This will assist local landowners with a program of select spraying to further support the highly effective biocontrol activity currently managed by Castlereagh Macquarie County Council,” Mr Batten said.  

“The county council has been advocating for additional resources to assist in the fight against Hudson Pear and this package will go a long way to reducing numbers in the immediate Lightning Ridge area and contain the spread of this sinister pest from adjoining lands.

“Castlereagh Macquarie County Council looks forward to working closely with LLS, and landowners in delivering this important program.”

For more information about weed control, visit here.

The post Funding for Hudson Pear control appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.

In 1982, UNESCO declared it a world-heritage site of global natural significance with many of the plants and animals found nowhere else on earth.

The other natural wonder? Rich, volcanic soil and lush pastures that make it possible to raise and grow almost anything under the sub-tropical sun.

Meet some locals and their livestock

Esven Fenton is an 86-year-old third-generation islander and cattle farmer, with a new herd of Angus on his hands. His eight cows and a bull arrived by barge in July to replace stock that had to be destroyed in 2019 ahead of the island’s rodent eradication scheme – a baiting session that lasted 100 days. The Lord Howe Island Board, which planned and oversaw the project pledged to help replace them. Esven’s new cows, all pregnant, are now delivering the island’s first calves in years.

“We’re not about to feed the island with the beef!” Esven laughs. “Even though I’ve got probably one of the single biggest properties on the island, we could never supply the needs of 350 locals and 400 tourists. At most, I could run about 22 head.”

Esven has 16 hectares of land, some of which is classified special lease – assigned for the sole purpose of agriculture. Officially, it’s a case of “use it or lose it”, though that’s rarely enforced.

The stumbling block for cattle-growers, he says, is the lack of supplementary feed.

“Freight rates are enormous. We can’t afford to import feed. So, we have to run less animals per hectare than you would on the mainland.”

The barge also had 13 Dexter cattle on board. They went to Barrie Wise and Kate Dignam who are growing the small Irish breed, mainly for family.

“Growing Dexter here is easy. You don’t have to drench them, they’re all disease-free, you don’t have to worm and their meat is very, very good,” says Barrie.

Lord Howe Island’s only flock of sheep graze next to the airport. The reverse thrust of the daily Dash 8’s landing doesn’t faze them – they know what it’s like to fly. The 20 Aussie White cross Wiltipoll ewes from Tenterdon Station (west of Guyra) made the two-hour charter flight from Port Macquarie in November 2020.

“And it wasn’t cheap!” says Peter van Gelderen. “They had to be packed in custom-made crates. It was a first for the freight plane. And yes, they flew ‘cattle class’,” he laughs.

With 18 new lambs this season, his flock is clearly loving their island life.

“They are the best breed for the island,” he says. “No need to shear, which is good as we don’t have shearers! We don’t have hay bales and we don’t use fertiliser, it’s very different to farming on the mainland,” he says.

How does $1 a litre for fresh Jersey milk sound?

That’s the going rate at the farmgate of Gower Wilson. He was barely walking when he milked his first cow. And at 82, he’s still hand-milking – a Friesien and a Jersey cross – every afternoon. Locals leave their containers at the gate, Gower fills them then does a ‘milk run’ around the island. Yes, all for $1 a litre.

Fertiliser, chooks and fruit and veg a-plenty

“I’m tellin’ ya. If you get any of this on ya, your wife won’t like ya!”

Jack Schick is straining his latest batch of home-made liquid fertiliser. The 25-litre bucket of fish heads and compost, topped with water, has been “cooking” for three months. Jack struggles to breathe as the sloppy mix drips through shade cloth.

“If you did this in suburban Sydney, you’d have the cops at your door!” he says.

Jack’s a 5^th generation islander and calls himself the “tomato man”. He’s a lot more than that. Like his father, and grandfather, Jack is one of only two mountain guides allowed to escort hikers up Lord Howe’s famous landmark, Mount Gower. He has just logged his 2,500^th climb of the 875m peak – a gutsy eight-hour, 14km round trip across rugged terrain with dizzying drops and rope climbs. But his biggest buzz is caring for his 12 hives of Italian honeybees and 120 Grosse Lisse and Roma tomato plants. He also grows a supermarket-length inventory of fruit and vegetables – nourished, of course, with his stinky home-made fertiliser.

Metres from Lagoon Beach is Thornleigh Farm. Five generations have worked this precious patch of land – since 1890 the Jeremy family has grown vegetables here, but they also tanned hides, ran a butcher’s shop, made ice, had a library, shipping agency and liquor store. Today, Robert Jeremy nurtures Brogden avocados, a delicious variety that each weigh a mighty 450 grams, citrus including Tahitian oranges and a heritage ‘sumo’ mandarins that are unique to his property.

Ringing in the new, Cameron Kirkpatrick and Jessie Owens (6^th generation islanders) are set to launch Lord Howe’s first mushroom farm – growing Oysters, Lion’s Mane and Shiitake.

“Mushrooms have a short shelf life and we’re in an area that’s remote so to get something here within a few days of picking is expensive if you air freight and sometimes that’s not viable,” says Cameron.

He and Jessie also raise two children. And 60 chickens.

“We’ve got Australorp, Isa Brown, Silkie, Frizzle, Leghorn and Maran. We sell dozens of eggs to restaurants, but we love to barter. There’s a fisherman who we swap eggs for fish, there’s another person we swap a dozen eggs for a sourdough. Wherever possible, we prefer goods over money. It connects like-minded people as well and has people sharing the load.”

World famous exports of Lord Howe Island

The Kentia Palm – endemic to Lord Howe Island – is one of the most popular plants in the world. Thank Queen Victoria for that. She loved the palm and they filled her castles, turning them into a symbol of style and wealth. They even decorated the Veranda Café on the Titanic.

In 2013, Michael Maxwell had the vision to make the island’s famous Kentia nursery a cultural hub for the community. Now, glasshouses bursting with vegetables – cucumbers, tomatoes, butter lettuce, cos, eggplant, butternut pumpkins and broccoli – frame a grassed courtyard where locals and tourists picnic to savour the produce. It’s cooked at an onsite cafe, kids make their own crazy creations for the pizza oven and a new brewery uses nursery plants and endemic species – such as Bully Bush – to flavour their beer.

The original business of harvesting Kentia seeds by hand, germinating and growing for export is a tradition the family continues.

“We ship over 400,000 per year,” says Timothy Maxwell. “We’re the only place in the world to access what we call the ‘mother seed’, from the endemic plant in its natural habitat.”

The Maxwells, like everyone, respect the responsibility of living, working and farming on a world heritage-listed island. Biosecurity is a term that often crops up in conversation. If the fortnightly cargo ship is compromised, everyone goes without supplies for a month. It’s frustrating, but they manage, knowing one of the most precious botanical islands on earth depends on it.

If you enjoyed this story on farming on Lord Howe Island, you might enjoy our story on the farming town of Dorrigo.

The post The farmers of Lord Howe Island appeared first on The Farmer Magazine.