Mustering cattle in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia might be far removed from feeding dairy cows in south-west Victoria, but it’s all adding to the agricultural experience for Olivia Whiting.
Olivia, 18, is working as a station hand in the West Kimberley’s during her gap year after completing Year 12 last year at Timboon P-12.
“I’m on a property that runs about 28,000 head of red Brahman cattle which we mainly work with horses,” she said. “I have always wanted to give working up North a go and being able to muster on horses was definitely an appeal.
“I have learnt to walk large mobs of cattle and work them in the yards which was a bit of a change to the dairy cattle I have grown up with on my parents’ dairy farm in Simpson.”
Olivia has received a Powell Legacy Fund scholarship administered by DemoDAIRY Foundation but has deferred for the year. She has also been able to defer the scholarship.
The WA experience came about after a chance meeting. “I was fortunate enough to get the job by meeting someone at a Corangamite Rural Women’s Day who had contact with the owner of the station,” Olivia said.
“This opportunity will be a great lead in to the Bachelor of Agriculture that I’m planning to do with the help of the Powell Legacy Fund and DemoDAIRY Foundation,” she added.
“I have enjoyed seeing a different side of the agricultural industry and am keen to be a part of it with the help of my Bachelor of Agriculture.”
DemoDAIRY Foundation and Powell Legacy Fund applications for 2025 scholarships are now open and close November 15.
DDF administers the Powell Legacy Fund (PLF) which honours the memory of the late Ross Powell and Andrew Powell and their passion for volunteering, education and agriculture.
DDF school scholarships are open to students living in and studying at secondary schools in the Shires of Colac-Otway, Moyne and Glenelg plus the City of Warrnambool. Only students from Corangamite Shire can apply for PLF school scholarships.
Visit https://www.demodairy.com.au/scholarships-and-grants/ for more information or contact secretary Ian Teese on 0427 358987 or info@demodairy.com.au