One of Australia’s most progressive Merino breeding operations embraced 30 passionate young woolgrowers at training and mentoring weekend this month.
The 50,000 hectare Wyvern Station at Carrathool, in the Riverina, hosted workshops and mentoring sessions on February 9-10, an initiative of the Peter Westblade Scholarship committee.
Participants attended from all over NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Topics covered over the weekend included sheep selection, stockmanship, agribusiness skills, sheep and wool marketing, new technologies in agriculture and professional development.
Interactive workshops enabled sessions to be tailored to the participant’s area of interest and knowledge.
A select group from the Wyvern weekend will be encouraged to pursue the 2019 Peter Westblade Scholarship.
The scholarship provides education and mentoring opportunities over a 12 month period for young people aged 18 to 30 years wanting a career in the Australian sheep and wool industry.
Peter Westblade Scholarship chairman Craig Wilson said the committee was dedicated to delivering practical skills associated with the industry.
“This would not be possible without the generous ongoing support of TA Field Estates Pty Ltd, which provided the state of the art facilities at Wyvern Station to hold the event,” Mr Wilson said.
“Hay Incorporated ran a rural education program for 15 students for five days in the lead up to the PWS training weekend.
“The weekend would not have been possible without the generous support of Moses and Son, Craig Wilson and Associates, Sally Martin Consulting, Fox and Lillie, Landmark, Fletchers International, Paraway, Yarrawonga Merino Stud, Pastora Poll Merino Stud, Woodpark Poll Merino Stud, McGuiness Farms, Cannon Grazing, Plevna Poll Merino Stud and TA Field Estates Pty Ltd.
“The young people attending the weekend were impressive, super keen to educate themselves and make the most of the fantastic group of speakers leading the sessions.
“The network built from a weekend like this will provide the attendees with a group of mentors lasting their career. The weekend was a terrific success and planning has commenced for 2020.”