TAFE NSW Showcases In-Demand Agriculture Careers at Henty Machinery Field Days

By Ian Roberts

TAFE NSW is taking centre stage at the Henty Machinery Field Days, encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in the booming agricultural sector. With the industry facing an ongoing skills shortage, TAFE NSW is stepping up to play a crucial role in addressing the workforce gap and preparing future agricultural workers for a sector undergoing rapid technological change.

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has highlighted the importance of TAFE NSW in its roadmap, which aims to grow the agricultural workforce by 25 per cent over the next decade. As part of this effort, TAFE NSW is showcasing a range of training pathways at southern Australia’s largest agricultural fair, which runs from 17 to 19 September.

The TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre has maintained a strong presence at the Henty Field Days for more than 35 years. This year’s exhibition is one of the largest ever, featuring seven “junior judging stations” where attendees can learn about various aspects of agriculture, including beef genetics, sheep production, crops and pastures, animal studies, and wool production. Local students from primary and high schools are invited to participate and gain insight into how TAFE NSW’s agriculture courses can lead to fulfilling careers in the sector.

In addition to interactive displays, the TAFE NSW site includes live demonstrations of shearing, horticulture, domestic pet first aid, and virtual welding technology. Current TAFE NSW Certificate IV and Diploma agriculture students are also attending the event to network with industry leaders and explore the latest advancements in farm equipment, machinery, and services.

According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), the agricultural industry reached a record value of $80 billion in 2022-23. Recognising the importance of upskilling, the NSW Government has extended the AgSkilled program, an initiative designed to prepare the agricultural workforce for the future by focusing on training in innovation, research, and technology.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, emphasised the importance of investing in the agriculture workforce to meet future demand. “Agriculture is a rapidly changing industry, and whether it’s in technology, working the land, or in a lab, there are so many exciting career opportunities. TAFE NSW’s close collaboration with agricultural employers ensures training is relevant and meets the industry’s evolving needs.”

The Riverina-Murray region, which contributes the most to agriculture production in NSW, is home to two TAFE NSW specialist campuses—the Primary Industries Centre and the National Environment Centre—both of which are integral to training future agricultural workers.

Rob Harris, Head Teacher of Agriculture at the TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre, emphasised the value of the Henty Field Days as a platform for showcasing pathways into agriculture. “It’s an ideal opportunity to demonstrate how TAFE NSW equips students with the real-world skills needed to launch their careers in agriculture. Our campuses provide hands-on learning experiences on working farms, enabling students to engage with the latest technology and start their careers with confidence.”

TAFE NSW’s presence at the Henty Machinery Field Days highlights the crucial role of education and training in ensuring the long-term success of the agriculture industry. By equipping future workers with the skills and knowledge needed for a dynamic and evolving sector, TAFE NSW is helping to secure the future of Australian agriculture.

Permanent, Flood-Resilient Schools Reopen in Northern Rivers Following Devastating 2022 Floods

Northern Rivers students have marked the beginning of a new chapter as they move into their newly rebuilt, flood-resilient schools at Wardell Public School and Empire Vale Public School, two years after both were extensively damaged in the catastrophic 2022 floods. The reopening of these schools symbolises recovery and resilience for the region, following one of the most challenging periods in its history.

The new Empire Vale Public School welcomed students back last week. The school now features three new classrooms, a new library, a canteen, as well as new landscaping, play equipment, and administration and staff facilities. Importantly, the school’s original building, which has served the community for nearly 150 years, was retained during the rebuild, preserving its historical significance while incorporating modern design.

Wardell Public School has also been transformed. The rebuilt school now boasts four new classrooms, a new canteen, library, front office, and updated administration and staff areas. The nearby Jumbunna Sugartown Preschool continues to operate, maintaining its integral link to the local community.

Mullumbimby High School

Flood-Resilient Designs to Prevent Future Damage

Both schools have been rebuilt with flood-resilient designs, intended to withstand future flood events. The new buildings are elevated on steel structures, protecting core facilities from floodwater. Resilient materials were used throughout the construction, and downstairs areas were specifically designed to be easily cleaned and restored if inundated by water. These measures are a key part of the strategy to ensure the schools remain safe and functional during potential future floods.

Additional Improvements Across the Region

On the Far North Coast, Mullumbimby High School also saw extensive flood repair work earlier this year. The school has undergone significant upgrades to its hall, library, food technology facilities, performance area, gym, and staff spaces. In addition, flood restorations were completed on the school’s sports fields, playgrounds, and courts, along with planned maintenance, including the replacement of seven roofs. The school’s flood resilience has been enhanced, ensuring better protection from future natural disasters.

Wardell Public School

Government’s Commitment to Rebuilding

These projects are part of the Minns Labor Government’s investment in rebuilding public education in NSW, particularly in communities hard-hit by natural disasters like those in the Northern Rivers. The government’s commitment to flood recovery is evident in its efforts to restore and enhance educational infrastructure in the region.

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, expressed her satisfaction with the progress. “It is wonderful to see flood recovery works completed and students returning to permanent facilities at Wardell Public School and Empire Vale Public School,” she said. Car acknowledged the immense upheaval these school communities have experienced and was pleased that they now have state-of-the-art, flood-resilient buildings to support their daily learning.

Greg Warren, Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Early Learning, echoed these sentiments. “These are magnificent new facilities for staff and students to enjoy, and I look forward to seeing the benefits that these wonderful new schools will deliver for the local communities for generations to come,” Warren said, while attending the reopening celebrations.

Celebrating Strength and Community Spirit

Janelle Saffin, Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, highlighted the significance of the schools’ reopening for the communities. “I know the Empire Vale and Wardell communities have been looking forward to returning to their permanent schools after the devastation of the 2022 floods,” she said. Saffin praised the communities’ resilience during challenging times, noting that the completion of these projects marks a significant milestone in their recovery.

Empire Vale Public School

Principals Reflect on Rebuilding and Looking Forward

Both school principals expressed their excitement and gratitude as they welcomed students back to the new facilities.

Bonita Avery, Principal of Empire Vale Public School, said, “We are beyond excited to be returning to these wonderful new facilities at our much-loved school. Empire Vale Public School has always been the hub of our small community, and losing the school in the devastating floods of 2022 had a huge impact on us all. Our students have remained our highest priority, and I would like to thank staff and families for your support and patience during this process.”

She added, “I look forward to starting a new chapter with this community, and for Empire Vale Public School once again becoming the heart of our community, where learning, growth, and community connections thrive.”

Kim Wheatland, Principal of Wardell Public School, also celebrated the school’s resilience. “We are thrilled our new school has been built back stronger, with state-of-the-art features designed to withstand potential flooding. I want to acknowledge the resilience and flexibility of our teachers and students and thank our neighbours and the parent community for their incredible support throughout the rebuild,” Wheatland said.

“I look forward to working together as Wardell Public School enters this exciting new chapter,” she added.

With these flood-resilient schools now operational, the Northern Rivers community can move forward with renewed optimism, knowing that its educational infrastructure is prepared for the challenges of the future.

RRISK Program Returns to Equip Teens with Life-Saving Skills

Robert Heyward

High school students in Northern NSW will soon have the chance to gain crucial knowledge about safe driving, drugs, alcohol, peer influence, and partying as the Reduce Risk and Improve Student Knowledge (RRISK) webinars return this November. Registrations are now open for Year 11 students to participate in the webinars, which will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on November 13, 14, and 15, 2024.

Kathryn Watson, Acting Director of Integrated Care and Allied Health at Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), emphasised the importance of the program. “The purpose of these webinars is to help young people stay safe on our roads and at parties. They learn how to support their friends and make safer decisions,” said Ms. Watson.

In NSW, young drivers under the age of 26 represent 14% of all licence holders but account for nearly 25% of accidental road fatalities. RRISK, a locally developed program, has been addressing these alarming statistics for over 20 years. Research shows that RRISK has a significant impact, with a 13-year study revealing that participants are 24% less likely to experience a crash and 42% less likely to crash at night compared to non-participants.

To enhance the program’s effectiveness, participating schools receive lesson plan ideas to supplement the webinars. These include life-saving skills like placing someone in the recovery position, responding to drug and alcohol-related emergencies, and understanding the risks of vaping.

In addition to safety advocate Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia, the webinars will feature contributions from NRMA and Southern Cross University, offering students a well-rounded educational experience.

Last year, over 2100 students from 28 schools took part in the program, with around 80% of participants reporting increased confidence in their ability to stay safe while celebrating or driving. Follow-up surveys conducted five months after the webinars showed students engaging in significantly more protective behaviours, such as looking out for intoxicated friends and calling for medical help when necessary.

Schools can now register for the RRISK program by visiting here.

For more Education news, click here.

“We (will) have our own area”

By Samantha Elley

A group of very excited Broadwater Public School students were part of the sod turning ceremony at the location of their school last week.

Since the 2022 floods the students at Broadwater have had makeshift classrooms and a small playground at the Evans River school, further down the road.

The sod turn now symbolises that they are another step closer to getting their own space again.

“I’m excited for the new school because we will have more area to play,” said student, Sonny.

“I think the new school is going to be great because we have our own area,” agreed student, Bronte.

Parents, community members, P&C, staff and Department of Education officials, along with state member for Clarence Richie Williamson and Richmond Valley mayor, Robert Mustow joined the students to mark the historical occasion.

Broadwater Public School Sod Turn

The new Broadwater Public School, set to be completed in early 2025, will be more flood-resilient, with buildings raised approximately four metres above the ground, about 700 millimetres higher than earlier school designs.

New facilities include three modern classrooms, a new library, canteen, administration area, a large undercroft play space and amenities, a yarning circle, and landscaping to complement the school’s surroundings.

The school’s core facilities will all be on a single raised level, maximising play and outdoor space, with buildings supported by an engineered steel gantry.

Following the demolition of the flood-damaged school buildings, the next steps include excavation and in-ground services, before the school buildings are delivered and installed, and the school site is landscaped.

“Today marks a significant and joyous milestone for our school and community. As we break ground, we are not only laying the foundation for a new school but also for a brighter future for our students and staff,” said relieving Broadwater Public School principal, Bronwyn Cole.

“I am proud of the resilience our community has shown, and I am confident that this new school will be a source of pride and strength for generations to come.”

For more Richmond Valley news, click here.

Second in the state for boccia

By Karina Smith

Woodburn Public School has come home triumphant from the 2024 Boccia Primary State Finals.

Boccia is a sport organised by the NSW Sports Unit for students with disabilities.

We entered a team from our support unit (Autism class) into the Ballina championships during term 2 this year.

We practiced with a team of six players but on the day our team only consisted of three players.

This meant we had no subs and our team of three would have to play all games.

All other teams had at least 2-3 subs.

Our little team, consisting of John (Kindergarten), Braxton (Year 3) and Hudson (Year 5) pushed through and after all the games stepped out as the winners of the Ballina division competition.

We were shocked, ecstatic and overwhelmed.

We were one of the 24 NSW schools that made it through to the state finals to be held in Sydney on the 13^th of August 2024 at Quay centre, Sydney Olympic Park.

At this stage we did not think we were going to make it to Sydney.

We have wonderful and determined parents and staff and after commitment from the parents, we started reaching out to our community organisations for support to help make our dream to go to state finals come true.

We received amazing support from the Old Boys raffles, Club Evans RSL, Rotary club, Woodburn Public P&C and the NSW sports unit, who also host the event.

Without these wonderful organisations we would not have been able to travel to Sydney.

We practiced daily at school and even pulled in some students from other classes to play against them to get more competitive practice in.

We flew out to Sydney on Monday 12^th of August and on Tuesday we finally competed in our very first Boccia state final games at Sydney Olympic Park Quay centre.

Our team of four students: Hudson, Arlia, Braxton and John, along with Mrs. Smith (coach) and Tania (team-assistant) and some great supportive parents, took on the day not knowing what was lying ahead of us.

We won our first five games and made it into the semi-finals, which we also won.

We finally played our final game of the day.

It was head-to head throughout the games and finally, in the last round, the opposition scored three points and we lost the game by two points.

We came second.

This meant that we are second in the state out of 517 schools and 30 Boccia rounds.

We couldn’t be prouder of our team and our school.

Our students showed perseverance, determination and great sportsmanship throughout the entire event. Well done!

For more Richmond Valley news, click here.