General News
7 July, 2022
College team takes out prize
ONE local school has taken out a key prize in the annual Cows Create Careers school program.
ONE local school has taken out a key prize in the annual Cows Create Careers school program.
Camperdown College’s senior team – KC Jenkins – was announced as the winner of the program during an virtual presentation day.
Students and teachers from schools have participated in high-energy online events to celebrate their achievements as part of the project, which has the support of the Gardiner Foundation and WestVic Dairy.
Jaydee Events director John Hutchinson said it was encouraging to see students so passionate to learn, and connect with, Australia’s vibrant dairy industry.
“The presentation days are a great way to recognise and celebrate both the students’ and teachers’ dedication to the Cows Create Careers project,” he said.
“Each year we continue to be inspired by their enthusiasm for the project.”
Over three weeks schools were provided with dairy industry curriculum, at no cost.
A local dairy farmer taught the students how to care for the calves, while an industry advocate visited the students to speak about their career pathway in the dairy industry.
Throughout the project students formed teams and completed assessments based on the dairy industry.
“Cows Create Careers allows students to learn about the wide range of skills, educational pathways and careers in Australia’s dairy industry,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“It’s extremely encouraging to see the ongoing benefits of the project; not only are the students learning about the diversity of skills required in the industry, but it also directly connects them to their local community.”
Cows Create Careers was established in 2004 with dairy farmers in the Strzelecki Lions Club in Victoria and nine Gippsland schools.
It has now grown to over 230 schools across Australia with more than 1500 students completing the project in 2021.
Mr Hutchinson said the project’s passionate volunteers were vital to the continued success of the Cows Create Careers project.
“Since its inception Cows Create Careers has gained support from industry, regional development programs, dairy farmers and sponsors across Australia,” he said.
“Last year alone 425 passionate volunteers gave 2125 hours of their time across 23 Australian dairying regions.
“They speak to the students about their experiences in the industry, support student career decision making, and have important links to education and employment sectors.
“These are invaluable connections for the students, and a lot of students maintain these links after completing the project.”
Mr Hutchinson said sponsorship from the Gardiner Foundation and WestVic Dairy reflects their “continual dedication to the state’s dairy community”.
“Their contribution is helping to support the next generation of Victorian dairy farmers and their industry,” he said.
Balmoral K-12 Community College won the junior school award, with Camperdown College taking out the senior competition.
These schools have won $250 for their school, along with a gift voucher for the student’s teams.
They now have the opportunity to enter the Cows Create Careers national competition which will culminate with a national senior and junior winner being awarded $3,000.
South West Victorian schools to complete the project during 2022 included Cobden Technical School, Camperdown College, Goroke P-12 College, Kaniva College, Rainbow P-12 College, St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School, Loreto College Ballarat, Nullawarre & District Primary School, Cavendish Primary School, Allansford & District Primary School, Edenhope College, Kings College, Balmoral Community College, Penshurst Primary School, Noorat Primary School, Colac Secondary College, Hawkesdale Secondary College, Heywood and District Secondary College and Terang College.