North-West Victoria was the destination for the recent Unit 2 AgHort Animal Handling Camp.
The camp, attended by 25 Year 11 students, provided students with the opportunity to gain practical skills in a real-world context.
Students enjoyed being out of the virtual classroom and having practical experience at Toland Poll Merino farm. Here, they performed a range of activities including moving and drafting sheep and identifying genetic data.
The camp also included a tour of the Dookie College robotic dairy facilities, offering a glimpse into cutting-edge agricultural technology. Students learned wool classing, explored Indigenous Foods research plots, and visited cereal crop research trials. They tested milk for fat content and protein, tried their hand at cheese making, and attended a valuable careers talk to broaden their horizons.
For the students, the camp was an unforgettable experience.
A number of students commented on how much they enjoyed meeting other students, learning with them and making new friendships.
Assistant Principal, Human Resources, Terri Runciman said it was fantastic to watch the students have a go at sorting and drenching sheep.
‘There were some with lots of experience and some with none, and it was great to see them all get stuck in and give it a try,’ she enthused.
