Congratulations to Ashlea Simpson, Coldstream local and Melbourne Polytechnic Agriculture student, who placed first in the Royal Melbourne Show’s RASV Schools Parader competition with her steer, Contractor.
Kelsey Uwland from Eltham placed second, and Hayleigh Duvall from Steels Creek placed fifth, all great results in a very competitive environment.
The Royal Melbourne Show is a key event in Victoria’s Agriculture calendar, involving the very serious business of agricultural competitions. These competitions showcase our agricultural industry people and their products, including livestock, and allow everyone in this industry to network.
Melbourne Polytechnic also awards the Melbourne Polytechnic Trophy every year at the Show, for the highest scoring school or college bred and prepared carcase. The winner again this year was Longerenong College (Simmental/Angus x Red Angus) – well done to the Longerenong students!
Not all of the students in Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in Agriculture come from farming backgrounds or have experience with cattle.
‘Obviously we want to select steers that will be calm, with the appropriate temperament,’ says Agriculture teacher Kate Norris. ‘However we also need to teach the students how to respect the steers and their flight zones, and how to use these to their advantage in handling the steers.’
The competitions at the Show are also an opportunity for the students to show themselves to potential employers in preparation for their careers, so all students show steers in the handler class. It’s also an opportunity to overcome fears and show friends and family just how far they’ve come during the course.
Students come from all walks of life, but they all share a dream: to work in Australia’s agriculture industry.
Students can work in a wide variety of roles in the agricultural field, which is currently experiencing a shortage in skilled workers. They can work as a farmhand, farm manager, consultant, or in sales.
Main photo: Ashlea Simpson with Contractor. Photo credit: Kate Norris
Media enquiries should be directed to Melbourne Polytechnic Media at mobile 0439 316 250, or media@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au
Melbourne Polytechnic operates across seven campuses and five specialist training centres throughout Melbourne. The institute delivers high quality vocational and higher education in industry-standard facilities.