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Industry leaders and shapers in our own backyard: Hay Inc. Rural Educational Program
Industry leaders and shapers in our own backyard: Hay Inc. Rural Educational Program

13 August 2024, 3:49 AM

Educational opportunities have never been better in this day and age. However, some things just cannot be taught in a clinical classroom, or online. A group of concerned locals from Hay who were involved in the agricultural industry, came together out of need. They realised the next generation of ‘bushies,’ as they call them, were losing the opportunity to learn the hands-on skills and knowledge needed to forge a career in agriculture. There are so many people involved in Hay Inc.’s inception and keeping the program going.Richard Cannon is the current Chairperson. Chris Bowman is Past Chairperson.Sandra Ireson is Secretary-Treasurer and Program Manager, Robert Gibson is the Vice ChairpersonJanine Bryant is Assistant Secretary, Markeeta Gibson.Other Volunteer Trainers are Ed McFarland, Geoff McDougal, Les Lewis, Rob Lindon Keith Bolitho, Susan Hanna, Geoff Duddy, Jacqui Crawford, Scott Dixon, Sophie Hemley, Cameron Clark, Scott Hanaford, Jim Walsh, and Tanisha Shields.Meet the team:Richard Cannon is the chairperson. Richard owns and operates a grazing and irrigation property located 12 km south of Hay, incorporating a full blood Wagyu seed stock herd, a commercial Angus herd, a commercial Merino sheep flock, as well as irrigated cotton and cereal production.Richard believes the hands-on type of education investment in young people through initiatives such as Hay Inc is fundamental for the future of agriculture and its perception and sustainability.Rob Gibson is Vice ChairpersonMr. Gibson owns and operates a large-scale grazing and irrigation enterprise to the North Hay in NSW covering an area of 70000 acres with his wife and two children. Robert brings 30 years of livestock and farming experience to Hay Inc and was trained through the “jackaroo system” on farms in Queensland and a sheep stud near Coleambally. Robert is passionate about wool and regularly takes Hay Inc participants and graduates on farm to extend and consolidate their learning whilst being mentored. Robert is also a qualified and experienced wool classer.Chris Bowman is the past chairperson. Chris is an independent, professional sheep classer and merino breeding specialist. He has mentored generations of young people entering the agricultural industry, and has managed prolific properties in the district.Sandra Ireson Secretary/Treasurer and Program Manager. Sandra owns and operates a beef cattle and sheep enterprise near Booligal on the lower Lachlan River North of Hay, with her husband and adult children. She is also a member of the Tocal College Advisory Council, Isolated Children Parents Association, Murrumbidgee Landcare Steering Committee and a Producer member on Southern Australia Livestock Research Council for Central & Western NSW including Queensland Sheep. Sandra was awarded 2017 NSW/ACT Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award Winner which she used to build on the success of the Hay Inc. by developing Engage AG, an adaptable model of the program, to promote the initiative to other rural communities, creating opportunities for careers in agriculture. She has been a major driver of community events in the Hay region combining agriculture, tourism and education – with one of her successes being instigating and coordinating the Booligal Sheep Races. Sandra is also passionate about creating leadership and networking opportunities for women. Sandy SymonsSandy is a fencing contractor and has lived and worked around the Hay and Hillston district all his life. With the other members of the Hay Inc Board Sandy could see a need for a hands-on rural education training program that would fill the gap left by the demise of the Jackeroo system. The satisfaction of teaching the students these skills is what motivates Sandy and the other instructors to keep the course going.Matt IresonMatt owns and operates a predominately beef cattle and sheep enterprise near Booligal on the Lower Lachlan River North of Hay, with his wife and three children. He is a 5th generation farmer in the district. He has been involved in the local community as Rugby player and coach, Junior Rugby League Coach, and active after school’s sport coach. Along with many positions on local community groups including President of the Booligal School Parents & Citizens Association and Booligal Sheep Races. Matt is currently the Coach of the Hay Cutters Rugby men’s 1st XV.Markeeta GibsonMrs. Gibson owns a law firm and operates a large-scale grazing and irrigation enterprise at Hay in NSW with her husband and two children. Mrs Gibson is currently a NSW practising Solicitor, Past Board Member of the NSW Rural Assistance Authority and was Chair of its Audit & Risk Committee. She previously held positions as Chair of MI Holdings Pty Limited, a Non-Executive Director of Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd and was a member of its Audit Committee.She is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has extensive experience with rural succession planning, rural, commercial and residential property transfers, as well as trading water entitlements and water allocations.Bill RyanBill operates Curragh, a grazing operation 120km North West of Hay, where the main focus is a self replacing poll merino flock, incorporating a ram breeding enterprise for own use and also sale rams to a base of clients. Beef cattle are run on the property in season. Bill has always been passionate about the agricultural industry and enjoys the challenges that it brings. He believes that there are many opportunities in the rural sector and is encouraged to see young people wanting to learn more about the industry and believes Hay Inc. is a great foundation for learning in a hands-on environment.Jim IvesJim is located at “Glencoe”, South East of Hay operating an Angus breeding herd turning off grass Fed animals to the growing grass assured market or feeder steers. Jim along with wife Jane are committed to Regenerative Agriculture. They have been running Glencoe Holistically for a number of years and are striving to increase biodiversity and resilience into their business. Jim joined Hay Inc in 2020 helping with the Cattle handling/education and grazing management workshop.Peter McCrabbPeter with his wife Lisa own and run North Bundy a 12500-hectare sheep station near Hay. Peter and Lisa have three children, two of which are employed in the agriculture. He has studied Farm Management through TOCAL. In 1997 Peter and Lisa started North Bundy Pastoral Company. Peter has spent time on the NSW Farmers Wool Committee, he is currently in his 20th year as a Local Government Councillor on Edward River Council, he is a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Peter has a passion for the sheep and wool industry and for getting young people involved in agriculture.They came together to actively create a solution to a need; to provide hands on and relevant training to younger generations to keep them in the agricultural sector.And thus, Hay Inc was formed, and those involved in its inception may not have even realised what a groundbreaking creation they had. The Hay Inc training program is a series of short courses of practical training, on rural properties throughout the Hay district. These are delivered by qualified trainers and experts who have extensive experience in primary production.The training is three blocks over five days. Lodging and some meals are provided during these training blocks. Block one takes place first week of February, block two happens the second week of March, and the final training block three is in the third week in June after the long weekend. The final training day concludes with graduation at the Hay Merino Sheep Show. Participants are presented with a participation certificate, and a statement of attainment listing the training modules completed. Certificates are also presented for the accredited training provided by Tocal Agriculture College and TAFE.Participants are offered an opportunity for work placement on farms in the district to cement their learning and provide hands on opportunities.Drawing on the skills it takes to keep a farm in the black, Hay Inc keeps the prices down as low as they can. Various organisations donate time, accommodation, resources and farms on which to train. Hay Inc also pursues funding from various grants to minimise costs to employers and applicants.Expressions of interest are taken all year.The application process begins in August for the following years intake.The program was the first informal community-based program of its kind in Australia. The committee has since released Engage Ag, which is a comprehensive 20-page publication giving other interested communities detailed assistance on how to implement the same kind of programs in their community.“I was getting many phone calls and people contacting, asking how they could implement a program such as Hay Inc in their district,” program manager Sandra Ireson told The Riverine Grazier.“In 2017, I received the National Rural Women’s Coalition and Network Award, and utilised that to create Engage Ag. We all are in this for the same reasons, to keep the agricultural sector alive and to share knowledge. “Since Hay Inc has been implemented, the model has been replicated in many areas, first in Emerald Queensland, and now in South Australia, Gippsland and other areas.”Sandra said communities are looking for their own solutions as Agricultural Colleges are being closed by the government. “A couple of students have grown up in cities and are 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.”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.“We have been open for 10 years now, and have 145 alumni to date,” said Sandra.“The beauty of the program is we don’t just interact and deliver the program, and then never see students again. In this industry mentoring and networking are important, and relationships are beneficial in maintaining our goal and impression on students.”The reviews of Hay Inc are glowing, with specificity as to why the program has enriched participant knowledge and prospects in the agricultural sector. Sandra and Hay Inc are pleased the program is cropping up across the country, as Hay Inc only takes 15 applicants a year due to time and other constraints.Hay Inc alumni have gone onto work at prestigious farms, and have been armed with the skills to achieve their career dreams.

A towering tribute to service men and women
A towering tribute to service men and women

12 July 2024, 5:03 AM

Magnificent tributes to Hay’s servicemen and women line the banks of Sandy Point Beach amongst the backdrop of Red River Gums and breathtaking natural beauty of the Murrumbidgee River. Emerging from the flat plains, two water towers, set back from the main street and still holding the towns filtered water supply have the visages of five servicemen and women, all somehow connected to the area. The colour slashes selected by the artist connect the two sides by wrapping around the cylinder and splashing across both towers for one cohesive artwork.Lieutenant Lorna Margaret Whyte, Private Victor George Murray, Corporal Clifford Leslie Farlow, Private William 'George' Cannon and Private Norman Charles Flack are the subjects of the murals, and are now set to the metal canvas and commemorate Hay’s significant military history and memory for locals and visitors alike.Melbourne Artist Matt Adnate created the lasting memorial to the massive human contribution of the people of Hay in the World Wars.In July 2024 Matt took out the coveted Archibald Packing Room Award. Titled ‘Rhythms of heritage’, the portrait was created mostly with Adnate’s signature medium of spray paint and represents musician Baker Boy's journey as an artist, featuring a captivating reflection of Arnhem Land landscape in his eyes.The work was selected by the members of the Art Gallery’s Packing Room team who unpack and install the annual entries to the Archibald Prize competition. The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, preferably of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia.

A Clip Above the Rest: Unveiling Australia's Shearing Heritage at Shear Outback
A Clip Above the Rest: Unveiling Australia's Shearing Heritage at Shear Outback

12 July 2024, 4:54 AM

Hay, New South Wales, is a small town basks in the golden glow of the outback summer sun. It is a community whose history is deeply intertwined with the iconic figure of the Australian shearer. Here, amidst the vast sheep stations and dusty plains, lies Shear Outback: a treasure trove dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of this vital industry.Shear Outback isn't just a museum; it's a multi-faceted experience that throws open the gates to the fascinating world of Australian sheep shearing. Step into the Australian Shearers' Hall of Fame and meet the legendary characters who have shaped this unique culture. Their stories, etched in photographs and memorabilia, paint a vivid picture of the shearer's life – a life of grit, camaraderie, and the rhythmic click of shears against sheep.Beyond the Hall of Fame, the Shear Outback Exhibition delves deeper into the industry's evolution. From the early days of hand shearing to the technological advancements of today, the exhibition showcases the tools, techniques, and challenges that have defined this practice. Interactive displays invite you to test your own shearing skills against the legendary Jackie Howe, the 19th-century champion known for his lightning-fast speed.But the heart of Shear Outback beats within the historic Murray Downs Woolshed. This authentic shearing shed, transported piece by piece to its new home, comes alive with daily demonstrations. Watch skilled shearers expertly handle sheep, their practiced movements a testament to years of honed skill. Listen to their commentary, rich with the lingo of the trade, as they explain the intricacies of shearing and the different wool types. Learn about the crucial role wool plays in the Australian economy and the sustainable practices being implemented to ensure its continued success.Beyond the shearing demonstrations, Shear Outback offers a chance to immerse yourself in the broader outback experience. Explore the Roundup Maze, a fun and challenging tribute to the mustering skills of stockmen. Wander through the Homestead Garden, a haven of native plants and a testament to the resilience of life in the arid landscape.No visit is complete without a stop at the Shear Outback Café. Refuel with a delicious meal or indulge in a slice of homemade cake, all while soaking in the atmosphere of this unique cultural hub. In the gift shop there is an array of woollen items to purchase, alongside tempting relishes and a wide collection of children’s books, showcasing country life. The range of handbags, wallets and delicate jewellery makes Shear Outback the perfect place to snap up a unique gift, or treat for yourself.Shear Outback is more than just a tourist attraction; it's a living tribute to the men and women who have built a nation on the back of sheep. It's a place to learn, be entertained, and gain a deeper appreciation for the iconic figure of the Australian shearer – a symbol of resilience, skill, and the enduring spirit of the outback.Visit Shear Outback’s website to learn more.

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