Wodonga Institute of TAFE -
Certificate II in Rural Operations
Wodonga TAFE designs and delivers a course to meet Jessica’s needs
Hello, my name is Jessica Goodall and I’m a Rural Operations trainee enrolled at Wodonga Institute of TAFE. My employer is Mitchell Secondary College where I work at their Murray Grey Stud undertaking the farming jobs and also the grounds maintenance at the College.
I am the only child in my close-knit family so without the company of siblings I had to learn how to occupy myself. I’ve lived in Wodonga, a rural city in the North East of Victoria, situated on the New South Wales/ Victorian border from birth with my parents Kathy and Adrian. I am still living in the same house to this day.
I did my first 7 years of schooling at Wodonga Primary School them I went to Mitchell Secondary College for my final 6 years of schooling. From a very young age I’ve enjoyed camping, fishing, horse riding, showing orchids and chickens at local shows with my family.
I was hoping I would be able to do a cabinet making apprenticeship after doing VCE but found it very hard to crack into a male dominated work place. Employers kept saying to me you are too small to do this type of heavy work. All I wanted was to be given a fair go. Little did they or I know I would be a farm hand undertaking studies in Rural Operations with Wodonga Institute of TAFE.
My parents have been a great inspiration to me…..they have supported and guided me throughout my life with an attitude you can do what ever you want if you set your mind to it. “Hard work won’t hurt anyone,” is the motto I have lived by. My parents have also said so long as you know you’ve tried to work and study to the best of your ability….an honest days work for a honest days pay. Life is what you make it, we all must have a go - if you don’t you’ll never know if you could have achieved your dreams.
As an animal lover and a fan of orchids, it seemed appropriate to study agriculture and horticulture from year 9. The subjects I studied at school included maths, woodwork, metal, computers, English and a TAFE course –Certificate II in Retail. While finishing my last 3 years of schooling I was employed with Clint’s Crazy Bargains as a casual.
Job
I am a Rural Operations trainee at the Mitchell College, Murray Grey Beef Cattle Stud. My daily tasks involve feeding the horses and cattle, checking the water troughs to see that they are working checking the fences and controlling weeds. I regularly ride an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) to transport the maintenance equipment, check the cattle in the paddocks and make sure the electric fences are working. Watering the young trees and fixing water pipes, washing and brushing the horses, drenching cattle, erecting fences and maintaining them, cleaning horse stables and yards, keeping all sheds clean and tidy is also my job. Maintaining all headstalls and show gear for parading the cattle at local shows and other jobs as they crop up keeps me very busy.
I have undertaken the majority of my studies on the job and am regularly visited by the TAFE staff who conduct training and assessment of my competencies. I also go to Wodonga TAFE for studies in specialist areas such as Computer Operations, Plant Propagation, OH & S and Machinery and Equipment Operations.
While doing Rural Operations at Wodonga TAFE I’ve also done an extra course in Equine Massage, massaging horses.
This course and my job are fantastic. I can recommend it. “You will never know if you don’t have a go” Jessica commented enthusiastically. “I am hopeful my employer will keep me on after the completion of my traineeship”.
For more information on Rural Operations qualifications offered by Wodonga TAFE contact:
Julie de Hennin
Manager
Agriculture/Horticulture
Department
Wodonga Institute of TAFE
Phone: 02 6055 6644
Fax: 02 6055 6335
E-mail:
jdehennin@wodonga.tafe.edu.au