Early in March, our students went on an extended domestic study tour which saw them travelling around Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Study tours play an important part of the education program at Marcus Oldham with students seeing theory put into practice and giving them the chance to learn from experienced managers and industry leaders.
FM1 visited Boortmalt in Delacombe, Hay Australia at Bridgewater, Teys Feedlot at Yeungroon East, Coolabah Turf Farm in Echuca and Sawyers Farms near Boort. A highlight was hearing from Guest Speaker Brett Findlay MAgri’22 about his role as Commonwealth Bank Manager in Shepparton.
Toby Nixon FM1 said, “Obviously, the tour was an awesome experience. I really enjoyed seeing the profit drivers in each business, and the reasons why people choose the enterprises they specialise in. What I got out of it most was the importance of cash flow in a business and the ways of ensuring business’ have an income for the majority of the year.”
FM3 travelled to Gilmac at Goornong, Cobram Estate Olives at Boundary Bend, Aquna Murray Cod at Bilbul, Kagome Australia in Echuca, Casella Family Brands at Yenda, Hell’s Gate station at Balranald, ECS Botanics and Southern Cotton Gin and Voyager Craft Malt at Darlington Point along with Kooba Ag’s almond plantation. Glenn Lok, General Manager was on hand to show them around.
Henry Fowler FM3 enjoyed the unique itinerary.
“Each business we visited was very engaging and different from the last. The Riverina tour taught me that to set yourself up to excel as someone in Agriculture you need to be dynamic and surround yourself with people/staff who are smarter than yourself. I learnt a vast amount from hearing about small businesses achieve rapid growth from being risk tolerant and using different avenues of funding like joint ventures or going public on the ASX.”
AG1 visited Green Eggs at Great Western, JBS Meatworks at Bordertown, Smartgroup properties at Keith, DiGiorgio Wines in the Coonawarra, Donovan’s Dairy near Mt Gambier and Kurra-Wirra, at Culla, a family operated Merino and cattle stud breeding approximately 200 Red Angus and Senegas composite bulls each year. They were hosted by Michael Close DipAgri’18.
Cody Dobbin AG1 had a great experience.
“Exploring the various regions of Western Victoria and South Australia allowed me to witness diverse countryside and gain valuable insights from industry experts on the operations of various enterprises that I would have never otherwise experienced such as dairy farming, abattoirs, wine production and even an abalone business.”
AG2 visited Velisha Farms in Werribee, McIvor Farms in Tooborac, Koala Cherries at Yarck, HG Turf at Alexandra, Lawson Angus at Yea, Holbrook Paddock Eggs and Lambpro at Holbrook, Rennylea Pastoral Company at Culcairn, Agriprove at Albury, Gundowring Fine Foods, Feathertop Winery at Porepunkah and Mainstream Aquaculture, the barramundi farm in Werribee.
Mitchell Lollback AG2 found the tour offered great insight into industry options.
“To see several businesses that have successfully implemented technology and other new practices from all areas within the sector was refreshing and it excites me knowing that, as a Marcus graduate there will be so many opportunities accessible to make a positive impact on the industry.”
EM1 toured to Inglis Bloodstock Auctioneers at Oaklands Junction, Living Legends at Greenvale, Ellanbrae Park at Macedon, Future Farms Australia in Bolinda, Karasi Park in Bass, Ladbrokes Park in Springvale, scholarship sponsor The Victorian Wakeful Club, Racing Hearts at Balnarring, Ciaron Maher in Cranbourne, Sky Park Rugs at Pakenham., Equine Sports Breeding in Euroa, Darley Stud in Seymour and Macedon Lodge, a solarium for horses. One of the top racehorse-training establishments in the world – which has produced no fewer than five Melbourne Cup winners.
Shannah Mudge EM1 said, “It was an incredible opportunity to hear from people in the industry and explore some of the different pathways that can be opened through being a student here at Marcus as well as becoming aware of so many other pathways that I never knew existed.”
