Students from across the Murrumbidgee region in Years 9-11 will be given the opportunity to participate in a 6-7 day AG Inspirations camp showcasing the Food & Fibre industry within our region, and the extensive range of career pathways and opportunities spanning Agriculture. “The Primary Business of Production” on-farm field day will set the scene for the week’s activities. Students will get a primary overview of where it all begins, including a good look at a substantial storage dam, and grounded information about the importance of water, our irrigation system, cropping, soil nutrition, technology, livestock, and the scale of agri-business that mixed farming is - and that’s aside from the other surprises in store! It will be followed with several more days of site visits to our region’s leading food and fibre producing businesses, which cannot fail to open students’ minds to the endless possibilities of careers in Agriculture, and assist business to connect with, and influence the future workforce. MIA AG Inspirations will help to address those things highlighted in the Pratley Review, such as student’s lack of awareness about food and fibre; their perceptions of agriculture and the opportunities; allowing industry to engage with students early, and ultimately attract them to an Agricultural career pathway, whilst supporting quality information and education.

1. R AEA
Education Alliance
Riverina Agricultural
MIA AG Inspirations
Camp
Monday - Thursday 13th -16th Oct
2014

2. Our Gravity-fed Irrigation System
- the life-blood of the MIA
, its efficiency, and it's importance to our economy
and the food chain is the
,
as does the first, being
The other disciplines being showcased to students are:
○
○
○
○
2

3. MIA AG Inspirations
A program providing the opportunity for students across the MIA to be inspired by the industry
in our region, the people driving those industries, and the career pathways emanating from
the food and fibre industries. It is based on 3 specific insights to identify students strengths,
passions and abilities, and to create awareness of the food and fibre sectors through
observations and conversations.
It is an Employer-led ‘industry specific’ cluster-model based on the national Work Inspirations
program and tailored to showcase industries in our region
Aims
MIA AG Inspirations will inspire students to engage in careers in, and emanating from Food
and Fibre industries, particularly those in our region. This will assist to address the emerging
national skills shortage in Agriculture, and help Education to engage more with the Food and
Fibre industries.
Addressing several factors as identified in the Pratley Review, it will assist Agriculture to
ultimately attract young people, overcome some perceptions, and allow Industry to engage
with students early.
Steering Committee Made up of Industry and Education representatives
Dates
Monday, October 13Ǧǚ - Thurs 16Ǧǚ (Tuppal option on 17Ǧǚ if funding allows)
Preliminary day 8/10/14 - up to 16 schools via Access Video Conference
Wrap/Presentation day - date TBC
Program
Preliminary day - Inductions, Industry videos, Personality Profiling, Careers Happen Industry
talks
Monday 13/10/14 - Farm Field Day at Binya - The Primary Business of Production
Tue-Thur 14-16Ǧǚ - Industry visits to sites in Griffith and Leeton areas
Presentation Day - students report to Industry
Disciplines Covered The Importance of Irrigation Water and our gravity-fed system to Agri-Business, Plant,
Animal, Food Processing, and Mechanical, Structural and Technical systems and practices
No of Students Up to 100 students from 16 regional (cross-sectoral) high schools
Accommodation Preference to camp students at Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre (Murrumbidgee College)
and the immediate vicinity, if funding allows.
Transport 5 x 20 seater buses
5 x rotational on-site visits to various host employers daily
Funding
Industry sponsorship much needed and welcome - tax deductible
Some funding received; more funding required - camping is the major cost; buses next.
Student fee: $100/head
Meals Breakfast and Evening meals included in Accommodation cost
Lunches - some employers hosting lunch/BBQ; offers welcome (and tax deductible)
Risk Assessments DPI/Tocal (working in conjunction with industry to ensure all compliance issues covered) will
do Risk Assessments and deliver Induction on behalf of all host employers
Industry Workshop Businesses invited to an Industry Workshop which explains AG Inspirations program -
structured for Consistency in Diversity; Employer Workbooks provided
Feedback & Evaluation Built-in evaluations for Students, Schools and Employers; will use ARS if students all at Yanco
3

4. MIA AG Inspirations Camp
Monday - Thursday 13th -16th October, 2014
Summary
Students from across the Murrumbidgee region in Years 9-11 will be given the opportunity to participate
in a 6-7 day AG Inspirations camp showcasing the Food & Fibre industry within our region, and the
extensive range of career pathways and opportunities spanning Agriculture.
TheMIA AG Inspirations Steering Committee hope to camp 100 students from 16 high schools across this
region, which is to be held under the Riverina Agricultural Educational Alliance (RAEA) banner¹. RAEA
seeks to address the emerging national skills shortage in Agriculture, support a more collaborative and
integrated approach between schools and industry, and highlight career opportunities in the Food and
Fibre sectors and their associated industries. Students will access this through a competitive process²,
and will be required to pay a fee of $100.
Based on the Ag Inspirations model piloted in Queensland in 2013, each “camp” involves students
exploring the three Work Inspiration (WI)© Insights:
Insight 1 – All about Me Exploring skills, discovering passions and abilities, and guiding future
¹ See RAEA brochure p 10-11
² See Student Application Form p 9
choices
Students complete a personality profile, and at some stage through the
camp/action days, they get a one-on-one 15 minute interview with
people from industry, who will discuss/interview them on the basis of
their interests; what their personality profile was, and what pathways
would be available to suit that person's interest/skill-set/personality in
their industry
Insight 2 – Behind the Scenes Researching the industry including site visits, observations,
demonstrations and conversations
Students will be exposed to what happens in different industries, and
inspired to contemplate careers they hadn’t previously thought of
Insight 3 – Careers Happen Researching industry related careers and working with industry
professionals to grasp the range of pathways
Industry people will give a run-down to students on their career
pathway, so that students understand that careers are not just a single,
straight-forward path.
4

5. A video of the AG Inspirations national pilot program run in Qld last year may be viewed at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqCrkbVJp3k (12 mins); and the national Work Inspirations pilot video (12
mins) can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-AgGJAJ3kQ
Schools Involved
High school students from schools in the GetSet footprint have been invited. This includes students from
schools in the following towns:
▪ Griffith (3) ▪ Tullibigeal ▪ Barellan
▪ Hillston ▪ West Wyalong ▪ Narrandera
▪ Lake Cargelligo ▪ Ardlethan ▪ Coleambally
▪ Ungarie ▪ (Ariah Park) ▪ Leeton (3)
This encompases 16 High Schools, which includes two students from Ariah Park. Technically it isn’t in
our footprint, but they’re students who are in the same Central School Ag Science cluster class.
The Camp Outline
There will be one preliminary day set aside on Oct 8Ǧǚ for inductions, research, completing a personality
test, some industry video-clips, and some Career Conversations with industry people. It will be a
video-conference linkup with all schools/students on this day, rather than students presenting at a
central place.
▪ This will be followed by 4 intensive days of industry site visits (Oct 13-16Ǧǚ), beginning with a
Field day - The Primary Business of Production - on a Binya mixed farming property.
▪ If funding allows, we may take the students to the Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival on Friday 17Ǧǚ,
as it would be a fitting finale to the previous four days. The Tuppal committee are keen to have
students involved, and as a result, they have waived admittance fees for students and
accompanying adults. (The Murray Ag Inspirations camp (2 days) also concludes at Tuppal.)
▪ Finally, there will be a “wrap” day a week or two later, where students present their
reports/projects (the project is a requirement), and receive their participation certificates. (The
nature of this is yet to be decided on by the Steering Committee.)
The Steering Committee feels strongly that students should be made aware of the importance of Water
and the Irrigation System feeding the MIA. Water is extremely important to our regional economy; our
towns and industry have been structured accordingly, and have grown and prospered because of the
foresight of an earlier generation, which resulted in the gravity-fed scheme which delivers our precious
water today.
5

6. Themed Disciplines
Consequently, in order to give students a thoroughly inspiring overview of as many food and fibre
industries as possible in such a short time (without them having to choose something specific), we
have broken down the areas which are important to understand both in isolation and interactively.
Whilst not yet fully decided, it is likely that the projects the students will need to complete will relate
to Water and it’s importance to one or more of the following disciplinary groups.
A disection of the Themed Disciplinary Groups for MIA AG Inspirations is attached, but in brief:
WATER, its efficiencies in use and delivery, and it's importance to our economy and the food
chain is the over-riding theme of the camp, and flows through all other protocols, as does
the first, being Agri-Business. The other disciplines being showcased to students are:
Animal Practice
Plant Practice
Food Products and Processing
Mechanical, Structural and Technical Systems
The Camp Structure
The program has been planned, but not yet finalised.
An extensive program for the camp is currently being firmed up and will include industry
visits, interactive activities, and networking with local professionals and industry experts.
So far, business/industry people who have been approached have been very enthusiastic
and prepared to be most accommodating. In light of the Pratley Review¹, this is
encouraging, as it needs to be a partnership between Education and Industry in order to
accommodate a balanced view of careers in the food and fibre industries, and to inspire
students to make decisions to become part of a rewarding and worthwhile industry group.
It is hoped to camp students at Murrumbidgee College, or Murrumbidgee Rural Studies
Centre (MRSC), Yanco. Preferably, we would like to camp all of the students together or
in the same vicinity so that we can get feedback from the students each evening, and to
enable students to socialise and enjoy interacting about the day’s activities.
Students will also be paying $100 each to participate, will need to apply², and sign a
small “contract”, as part of the Agri-Business protocol.
¹ Prof J Pratley: Review into Agricultural Education & Training in NSW - July 2013
² See Student Application Form p 9
6

7. The Primary Business of Production - Field Day
The Field Day at Binya - the Primary Business of
Production - will set the scene for the rest of the week,
showing where it all begins: on a farm. Students will
understand some of the complexities of running a farm
business, and the cutting edge technology which is
available and being used now. They will get an insight
into the role irrigated water plays, understand how a
storage dam is environmentally and fiscally
advantageous, talk about stock and cropping, genetics,
soil nutrition, veterinary pathways, and a host of other
agriculturally relevant issues pertaining to whole farm
management. We have some great surprises in store,
which will impact students and ensure the day is a
memorable one.
2014 Taste Riverina Festival
MIA AG Inspirations is registered as
an event with Taste Riverina, under
both the Educational and
Inspirational sections.
RAEA - Riverina Agricultural Education
Alliance
RAEA is a strategic partnership promoting Agricultural
Educational and Career pathways. RAEA supports a more
collaborative approach between schools and industry in
the delivery of agricultural programs, and aims to
address the emerging national skills shortage in
Agriculture. The aims are consistent with addressing
many issues highlighted in the Pratley Review.
The particular issue was concern about the
inability of the agricultural sector to attract
new people, particularly young people.
This required the Review to look more
closely at the community perceptions of
agriculture, the career advice to school
students and the workforce agenda across
all aspects of the sector.
Several factors became key components of
the Review:
○ The lack of awareness by students about
food and fibre
○ The perceptions about agriculture and
the opportunities therein
○ The importance of early engagement with
students about key issues
○ Concerns about the teaching of science
and therefore agriculture in the primary
schools and the lack of agriculture in
about two-thirds of secondary schools
○ The need for provision of quality teach-ing
and learning materials to schools
○ The need for industry support in ensuring
quality education and training occurs
Prof J Pratley
Exec Summary, Review into Agricultural Education & Training
in NSW (July 2013)
7

8. What’s So Inspiring?
Notwithstanding the absolutely inspiring line-up of activities, there are some extra-special surprises in the
pipeline, although some are being kept secret.
However, the Primary Business of Production on-farm field day will set the scene for the week’s activities.
Students will get a primary overview of where it all begins, including a good look at a substantial storage
dam, and grounded information about the importance of water, our irrigation system, cropping, soil
nutrition, technology, livestock, and the scale of agri-business that mixed farming is - and that’s aside from
the other surprises in store!
It will be followed with several more days of site visits to our region’s leading food and fibre producing
businesses, which cannot fail to open students minds to the endless possibilities of careers in Agriculture,
and assist business to connect with, and influence the future workforce. MIA AG Inspirations will help to
address those things highlighted in the Pratley Review¹, such as student’s lack of awareness about food and
fibre; their perceptions of agriculture and the opportunities; allowing industry to engage with students
early, and ultimately attract them to an Agricultural career pathway, whilst supporting quality information
and education.
I am so thankful to be working with such a “can-do” committee, and feel certain our MIA AG Inspirations
program will be a success; and something that is such a positive influence on students that they remember
it for a good many years. It is a wonderful opportunity for industry to showcase the food and fibre industry,
and the Steering Committee and I would certainly welcome it if you too, have a similar vision, and wish to
actively participate.
Jeanine Bird
Partnership Broker,
GetSet Inc
On behalf of the
MIA AG Inspirations Steering Committee
¹ Exec Summary, Review into Agricultural Education & Training in NSW (July 2013)
Prof Jim Pratley: Recommendations
Review into Agricultural Education and Training in NSW (July 2013)
GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDATION 16
The NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Research
Centres establish an annual forum with regional agriculture
teachers to explore and plan activities to enrich the teach-ing
of agriculture and primary industries in regional schools
and vocational education and training settings.
GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDATION 17
Where opportunities exist, schools move over time to
offer Certificate III in Primary Industries for those
students seeking employment in agriculture.
8

9. R AEA
Education Alliance
Riverina Ag ricultural
Student Application Form
MIA AG Inspirations Camp: Monday - Thursday 13th -16th Oct
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Year: ___________ School: ______________________________________________________________
Why do you wish to be included in this program?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have an existing interest in a career in Agriculture? o Yes o No
Please give further details for your answer
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
I am interested in a career that will allow me to do the following (tick all that apply):
Work in Agri-Business Work with Animals Work with Plants/Cropping/Horticulture
Work with Technology Work in Water/Irrigation Industry Work in Agricultural Research
Improve the Environment Work on a Farm Work Inside Work Outside
Work by Myself Work in a Team Work in an Industry somehow associated with Agriculture
Please indicate your interest in the following subjects with an “x”: (if you don’t study the subject, please cross it out)
I really enjoy it I like it It’s OK I guess
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Science
Business
Agriculture
Maths
English
IT
9

10. 10

11. 11