A public high school on the NSW Central Coast - not exactly a hotbed of farming activity - has such a strong livestock education program that it has attracted funding support from the Bendigo Bank.
The Ettalong Beach branch of Bendigo Bank has announced its first local partnership by supplying a new cattle truck and crate to Brisbane Water Secondary College which has around 1500 students on campuses at Umina (junior) and Woy Woy (senior).
A 2017 Hino 300 series 917 from Adtrans Hino, Gosford, will replace the college’s worn-out old truck.
College principal, Paul Gilmore, said the donation had saved the college from a dilemma which was threatening the future of its show teams because the school didn’t have the funds for a replacement vehicle.
“We didn’t know where we were going,” he said. “We really wouldn’t have any other way of funding this need within the existing school budget without this partnership (with Bendigo Bank),” Mr Gilmore said.
“There was a critical need within our school for this cattle truck and crate to be replaced. Our previous truck had been a great workhorse for the college community but it had seen out its life.
“On more than one occasion the old truck had broken down along the road needing mechanical assistance before it could continue the journey.
“Thanks to this partnership, our new cattle truck will see cattle, students and staff all travelling safely and securely to future shows.”
The Brisbane Water Secondary College campuses sit on a pensinsula south of Gosford surrounded by water and beaches.
But Mr Gilmore said agriculture had become such a tradition at the college that community volunteers, groups like Rotary, and ex-students were only too willing to preserve it.
The school also had strong support from livestock breeders who provided animals and came to the school to help teach students how to feed and handle them.
Chairman of Ettalong Community Bank, Mick Gage, said his branch was proud to help Brisbane Water Secondary College.
“Working within our local community, we identified the need for a replacement truck and crate and we’re looking forward to seeing this donation play a role in the school’s highly successful agricultural program,” he said.
After 23 years of competition and many awards, 2017 saw the college take home the Sydney Royal Easter Show’s Grand Champion Purebred Steer award.