As the year concludes for 2023, we reflect on an amazing year for the Silverdale Academy. When we look back at the data collected on the outcomes of our graduates since inception, it’s a truly humbling achievement. Over 200 graduates from our schools and intern programs, with many having now started careers in the industry and/or going on with further study.
Profile of the Month: Linda Molloy, TAFE NSW
We could not finish the year off without singing the praises of our incredible teacher and master facilitator of our programs – Linda Molloy. You will find no one more passionate and invested in the education of our students. Every graduate that goes on to further study or into employment, is testament to Linda’s incredible teaching abilities and ensuring our graduates have the best possible start, gaining as much knowledge as possible so as to support the start of their careers. The preparation that goes into our programs is extremely detailed. Linda has been instrumental in their execution.
Linda has an innate passion for the work she does. She works well into the evenings and up early in the mornings and has a wonderful repour with her students. Not only does Linda commit to her role as a teacher for TAFE NSW, she and her husband run a very busy sheep breeding farm in Bathurst.
Linda has worked extensively in the horse industry including commercial breeding, competing at eventing and in recent years dressage. She currently breeds and rides her own horses in her limited spare time and has a keen interest in the racing industry.
Linda has held a long career with TAFE NSW for over 15 years, initially as a part time teacher delivering Equine Online courses for TAFE NSW. She is now a full time teacher/facilitator of the horse care and breeding online courses at TAFE NSW Goulburn and Moss Vale campuses.
Finally, we also express our thanks for the amazing support received from Linda’s colleagues, Jillian Atkinson – Head Teacher, Michelle Pontello – TAFE NSW Services Coordinator (Moss Vale), Dave Harrison, Teacher TAFE NSW (Taree Campus). Together we all make a wonderful team bringing change to the education of the next generation.
Coming Up in 2024
Our Summer Intern program has now closed and we have our next 12 students commencing their online study next week. Their practical assessment work will be held during the Inglis Sales in February. One of our most popular programs.
We are now taking registrations for our Autumn program which commences in March.
Details as follows:
5 weeks online learning starts 25 March 2024
1 week practical Silverdale Farm 6 – 10 May 2024
- Incredible opportunity to gain behind the scenes exposure to Inglis Classic Sales.
- Learn what buyers look for in a champion racehorse.
- Experience the excitement and buzz of the sales arena.
- See how horses are prepared in the stables prior to parading.
- Learn important hands-on fundamental horse handling skills with Warwick Farm’s Clerk of the Course Horses.
- Spend time working in Ciaron Maher stables and learn the roles and what it takes working for a world leading trainer.
- Take an excursion to state-of-the-art REC Equine Veterinary Facility at Horsley park.
- Experience work on a leading Thoroughbred Breeding Farm at Silverdale Farm.
- Meet industry leaders as they engage you with career chats – bloodstock agents, corporate management, marketing and media experts, jockeys, judges, plus so many more.
- Experience Barrier Trials right behind the barriers and meet barrier attendants.
- Take a Warwick Farm track tour and meet all the people behind the scenes and the different roles.
| Nationally Recognised Qualifications include: ACMEQU212: Handle horses safely ACMEQU217: Load and unload horses ACMEQU313: Work safely in equine wokplaces ACMGAS202: Participate in workplace communication |
| Register and Learn More |
DID YOU KNOW?
1. Horses have the largest eyes of animal mammals on the planet.
2. Horses lock their legs to avoid collapsing when sleeping standing up.
3. Horses will not all lie down at the same time, at least one horse will stay standing to act as a look-out for potential danger.
Take home message from the Interns
During the programs, our interns collect valuable take home messages that they review at the end of their week. We hope that some of these stick with them during their careers. Such valuable learning words.
New leadership program to be launched in 2024
The Silverdale Academy have been busy developing a unique Leadership and Management Program specific to the Thoroughbred Industry. The course will be fully accredited with nationally recognised qualifications. When developing our program we want to ensure that topics such as Ethics, Governance, Leadership and Critical decision making and analysis of situations are at the forefront of the education of our future leaders. Our Pilot program will commence with a Statement of Attainment in Equine Leadership. Where graduates can later build to a full diploma qualification.
Feedback from industry leaders has identified a gap in staff development within our front-line leaders. We want to equip the industry with appropriately skilled staff to lead effectively, be empowered with communication skills and have the ability to manage and promote diversity and wellbeing in the workplace. Investing in the training of staff is an investment in the industry which is necessary for staff empowerment and retention.
We are anticipating our Pilot Program to commence early 2024 and will be taking expressions of interest from the industry soon. If you are a trainer or thoroughbred breeding farm and would like to encourage your staff to become future leaders, we would highly recommend you looking further at our program. Full details will be provided as we finalise the course structure.
We welcome input from industry. If you would like to contribute your suggestions, please email dtiller@silverdalefarm.com.au
Would you like to partner with the Silverdale Academy?
If you would like to get involved with supporting the Silverdale Academy in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Without the support of industry, we would not be making the impact we are in developing our next generation and filling the employment gap.
Please don’t hesitate to connect with us Dtiller@silverdalefarm.com.au
Testimonial
“Words cannot even begin to show my gratitude for you putting this together. The learning and people I met will never compare to anything else. The support and teaching from everyone was comforting and made me feel like I can succeed in this industry. I would like to especially thank Steve who paid for this and so is the reason I had this opportunity in the first place. I truly and deeply appreciate it. As well as Rob and Helen who supported us and showed us the day to day running of the farm. They are an inspiration to me and I can’t wait to see them again. Again, thank You so so much I really appreciate it and don’t know that I would have had to confidence to proceed if it wasn’t for this academy. “ – Charlotte (Schools Internship November 2023)
Special Final Thanks
We would like to especially thank the following
- The Australian Turf Club for assisting us with providing access to their staff, facilities and horses at Warwick Farm Racecourse. In particular we thank the Warwick Farm ATC team who ensure our programs run smoothly.
- Ciaron Maher Racing for supporting us behind the scenes and opening up their stables to us.
- Inglis for providing accommodation to our teachers at Warwick Farm and opening the sales arena and providing interns with behind the scenes access during sales at Warwick Farm.
- A humble thank you to Steve Grant, Silverdale Farm for having the vision, determination and passion to support our young generation and future proofing this great industry with the Silverdale Academy.
- Special thanks to REC – Randwick Equine Centre, Horsley Park for opening their practice to provide incredible insight into a State-of-the-Art Equine Veterinary Clinic. Several of our interns and students have a desire to work in an Equine Practice and this helps cement their knowledge they have chosen the right career path. Thank you to Dr’s Leanne Begg and Chris O’Sullivan, Tania Rouse and Shauna Nolan for making this incredible opportunity happen.
We thank everyone for their incredible support during 2023 as we could not achieve what we have without you. The Academy receive no funding for programs apart from the NSW Government Course fees which are covered for our students. We rely on our industry volunteers giving up their time and providing us with access to their facilities so that we can provide our graduates with the best hands on experience possible.
From all of us at Silverdale Academy, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year. We can’t wait to be back leading the reins next year for an even bigger year ahead.
Coming Up!
Special Announcement
Silverdale Academy is currently working on their Equine Leadership Program, whis is a new and exciting program to be launched in 2024. Stay tuned for further details.
Next Internship Program:
Autumn Internship Program:
Where: Five weeks online learning and one week at Silverdale Farm
Online Learning: 25 March – 31 March 2024
Practical Learning: 6 – 10 March 2024
Registrations: Open Now!
