In the last term of last school year, Gloucester High School year 11 and 12 primary industries students undertook a week-long course at Taree TAFE to gain skills in tractor and ATV (all terrain vehicle) driving.
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Completing core skills in their HSC primary industry course, these students are now well equipped to use the tractors and ATVs in a safe and professional manner.
The students are now able to drive a variety of different model tractors, both old and new, to equip them with the ability to use different tractors that they may face out in the real farming community.
During a dinner one night, we discussed how difficult it was for schools to prepare animals for steer shows on limited school budgets.
Geoff Turner, the head teacher of the agricultural department at Taree TAFE, and Laurie Gallagher, the agricultural teacher, offered 10 bales of silage to GHS. The silage was loaded by Matty Johnson who kindly came over to load it onto a Denell Transport truck and kindly offered to cart it back to Gloucester.
The students are now able to feed the steers that they are preparing for the Wingham Beef Week which is in May 2019.
Preparing steers for local hoof and hook competitions requires many hours of preparation, feed for stock, transport of both feed and stock and dedication from the students.
Through community support the school is able to continue this program for the students at Gloucester High.
The students love preparing animals for shows and the donations of steers is very much appreciated by everyone involved in the program.