Time flies swiftly, doesn’t it? The industry is gradually transitioning out of the vibrant buzz and excitement of the sales period. It’s wonderful when the community comes together and can reconnect face-to-face during the sales. Autumn has swiftly moved into winter and studs are gearing up for the upcoming breeding season, where it all starts again.
The beginning of our next champions…
Launch of the Silverdale Academy – Equine Leadership Program
Accredited 3 day training for industry staff currently in leadership roles, or those looking to progress into leadership.
Expressions of interest open
As mentioned in our previous newsletters, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes crafting a Leadership Program tailored specifically for the horse industry. Collaborating with the team at TAFE NSW, we’ve designed this course to cater to individuals stepping into early leadership roles within the industry.
This program presents an opportunity for those recently promoted within their workplace. It offers accredited essential team leadership skills that may have been previously overlooked. Participants will delve into crucial areas such as effective communication, leadership strategies, navigating difficult conversations, and gaining insights into ethics and culture.
Our Leadership Workshop Program will unfold over three immersive days at Silverdale Farm and Warwick Farm Racecourse, with plans to extend to other venues across Sydney later. These workshops promise an interactive experience, featuring real-life industry case studies, engaging role plays, and enjoyable activities. Limiting the usual theory-based PowerPoint presentations, we prioritize dynamic learning experiences.
Adding to the richness of our program, we’re thrilled to announce guest interviews with esteemed figures Tommy Berry and Lindsay Murphy, who will share invaluable insights based on their experiences in the industry.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Megan Tippet, Ciaron Maher Racing, and Bec Stepetz of Annabel Neasham Racing for their invaluable contributions in contextualising content on behalf of the racing industry. Their input has been instrumental in shaping a program to cultivate the next generation of industry leaders.
Our first program is fully subscribed, but you can register your interest for the following August program here: (add link to the TAFE NSW brochure link to register).
Further details can be requested via dtiller@silverdalefarm.com.au
SILVERDALE AUTUMN INTERN PROGRAM
March to May 2024 – interns have now graduated!
The Silverdale Academy have just completed their next cohort of eager Autumn interns who commenced their theory study in March. We had an exceptional class of 12 interns who came away with amazing skills and clarity in where they want their careers to progress. Thank you to TAFE NSW Moss Vale Campus once again for facilitating a highly professional program. On 6 May, interns completed their week of horse handling assessment work at Silverdale Farm, completing important skills such as;
– Leading
– Catching and release
– Loading on and off the float
– Fit restraints
– Tie up
– Cleaning of feet
– Applying floating boots
– Tail bandaging
– Temperature check
– Skin folds
The Autumn program was packed with learning outcomes gathered from the two days of off-site tours:
– A half-day spent at Kembla Grange Racecourse for track and jockey room tours as well as visits to Mitch Beer Racing. We greatly appreciate the support of Kembla Grange Racecourse, in particular, Race Track Manager – David Anderson and CEO – Steven Keene. They always look forward to hosting our visits and appreciate how important education is for newcomers to the industry.
– A visit to Ciaron Maher’s Bong Bong Moss Vale property, where interns had the opportunity to further their horse-handling work and learn about track riding.
– In addition to their experiences at Silverdale Farm, the interns gained insight into further breeding experience at Milburn Creek.
– A final visit ensued to Thenford Farm, where the interns learnt from the great horseman himself – Greg Bennett, who demonstrated all aspects on training and the early education of horses.
WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS
Thanks to our education programs, Silverdale Farm has earned a reputation as the ‘work placement of choice’ for numerous schools, not just in the Southern Highlands but also in Sydney. We’re proud to host a cohort of impressive students engaged in Primary Industry and animal studies as part of their HSC curriculum. This provides them with invaluable hands-on experience and industry knowledge, setting them on a solid path for further education and career opportunities post-Year 12.
At Silverdale Academy, we envision a future where Horse Breeding becomes an integral part of the TVET schools’ program, facilitated by TAFE NSW. To realize this vision, we are committed to collaborating with government bodies to advocate for this inclusion.
We extend a warm invitation to schools to reach out to us and explore the
opportunities for school-based work placements. We’re eager to support and mentor the next generation of industry leaders.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR OUR STAFF
Silverdale Farm stands as a steadfast advocate for ongoing learning and
professional development within the workplace. We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Danielle Tiller, our General Manager at Silverdale Academy, for her recent achievement in securing a position in the prestigious AICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors) course, “Foundations of Directorship” with AgriFutures.
With her solid background in Corporate Governance and affiliation with The Governance Institute of Australia, Danielle’s acceptance into the Foundations of Directorship program is a testament to her dedication and expertise in the field. This accomplishment has been made possible through the generous support and proactive initiative of AgriFutures Australia.
Our thanks go to AgriFutures Australia for their commitment to providing valuable opportunities like this within our industry.
If you are interested in being a part of next year’s intake – read more in the button below.
SILVERDALE ACADEMY IN THE OUTBACK MAGAZINE
Journalist Mandy McKeesick has written a wonderful feature story on the Silverdale Academy. Read about it in the link below.
PARTNER WITH US
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.
Horses love to run! They are prey animals, so they take flight as a form of protection; this is how they avoid being eaten in the wild. However, because it’s natural for a horse to run, this isn’t something a trainer has to teach them. One study showed that in the wild, horses covered an average of 15.9km per day, and went an average of 2.67 days between watering!
Read more here:
Kick Up – Are horses forced to run?
August Leadership Program
Dates TBC
Silverdale Farm
Expressions of interest are open now.
Spring Internship Program
October/November
Silverdale Farm
Registrations are open now.
Summer Internship Program
December/February
Warwick Farm (Inglis Classic Yearling Sale)
Expressions of interest are open now.
