Over the last month, Silverdale Academy has been out in force with the Winter Internship Program well underway, Workplace Learning Placement on farm and the Royal Ag Society event – AgVision.
Read more about what’s been happening at Silverdale…
Silverdale Academy Intern Program
With our Winter Internship Program in full swing with outstanding feedback, we are now taking interest for our Spring Internship Program.
The Internship Program will be delivered via online learning for five weeks plus a one-week practical horse handling assessment at Warwick Farm Racecourse.
If you want to learn more and register you interest, click on the button below.
Nationally Recognised Qualifications include:
ACMEQU212: Handle horses safely
ACMEQU217: Load and unload horses
AHCWHS301: Contribute to work health and safety processes
ACMGAS202: Participate in workplace communication
Randwick Equine Centre joins Silverdale Academy
We recently confirmed that the Randwick Equine Centre (REC) are joining the Internship Program support system and opening their doors for guided tours for the Silverdale Academy Internship Program to allow students a behind-the-scenes look at a specialty equine hospital.
The first cohort of students to experience this is the current Winter Intern Program, followed by the RIEP Schools career tours for Western Sydney students in August.
Everyone at the Silverdale Academy would like to thank all the staff at REC Equine Center for this incredible and important opportunity for students.
In particular, we would like to thank Dr Leanne Begg, registered specialist in internal medicine and Dr Chris O’Sullivan, registered specialist in equine surgery, for their valuable contribution and making this happen.
REC Equine Center also has their own externship program for vet students, nurses, nursing students and visiting veterinarians. Students from around the world visit the clinic for practical experience, with year-round placements offered.
If you would like to know more about the REC internships, or to get in touch, visit the link below.
Work Experience – Jenna Moule
We recently welcomed Jenna Moule from Moss Vale High School for a week-long work placement at Silverdale Farm.
The workplacement is a structured course under the Workplace Learning: Illawarra and Southern Highlands program – fully funded by the NSW Government, which is tailored for students who are undertaking Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses that form part of the HSC.
Within this they must undertake a week-long placement within the industry that directly relates to their course of study. On completion, they gain an industry qualification along with their HSC.
During the week, Jenna was taken under the wing of Silverdale Farm stable hand Sally Barton. Together, they participated in daily feeds, grooming and ongoing mentorship from the experienced staff at Silverdale Farm.
We are thrilled to have Jenna coming back later in the year to complete her second week and experience our busier time of year when sales prep and breeding are in full swing.
Silverdale Academy Graduate Spotlight
Harrison Edwards graduated from the Silverdale Academy Internship Summer Program back in February this year.
We recently caught up with Harrison to hear where he is at now, and how the Internship Program helped him along his journey.
Currently working at the Australian Turf Club, Harrison is in a multi-faceted role with both raceday and office work, across all four of the ATC tracks – Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, Warwick Farm and Canterbury Park. On race days, Harrison can usually be found in his position as chief of the jockey rooms, or as a judge at the barrier trials.
Within the office, Harrison is responsible for merchandising, wagering requirements, liaison with bookmakers, race day setup, and helping with putting together race fields. He compliments this position in the sales season, acting as a bid spotter for Inglis as well.
Harrison recalls that some of his main highlights from his internship were meeting some of the world’s best jockey’s such as James McDonald, Tim Clark, and Brett Prebble. Alongside this, he has had a few race day judging shifts which is a huge highlight (attached is an image below of one of the photo finishes he had to judge!).
Harrison’s goal is to further his knowledge in the positions he is in currently, and he hopes to end up on a course like Godolphin Flying Start to explore even more opportunities that are available to him in the industry.
How did the Silverdale Academy Internship Program help you?
“For me, it helped with my knowledge of the horse. Understanding the idiosyncrasies of the animal and how to read a horse has been the main takeaway. I also developed my contacts in the industry, which got me the job at Inglis Bloodstock, and gave me so much confidence that I can do whatever I put my mind to.”
Who has inspired you?
“There are so many inspirations. The first one that springs to mind is my father, who introduced me to racing and when I was growing up was involved in the industry, and still is with horse ownership. Steve Grant is also inspiring to me; with the confidence to back himself, being able to build relationships and create a vision for the future. James Ross, who is the Head of Racing and Wagering at the Australian Turf Club, is another one who encourages me to be a better version of myself. Also, the chief Sydney race caller Darren Flindell, who always provides some entertainment in a conversation or race call, has inspired me to improve my race calling with some great advice. But there are so many, and lots of different ways that they all inspire me.”
With Joao Moreiera
Royal Ag Society – AgVision
The Silverdale Academy was proud to have been invited to attend the Royal Agricultural Society’s AgVision Career Expo.
Special thanks to Linda Molloy from TAFE NSW and Australian Turf Club Clerk of the Course Owen Buik and David Jessat, who were so kind to bring along the amazing Cracker and Ozzie for the day.
We had the opportunity to present six workshops to 100 agricultural students from schools all around NSW, showcasing the career opportunities in the thoroughbred Industry. Our workshops were structured as mini introductions to the importance of safety and the fundamentals of working with a horse. All students were trained in leading a horse and had the opportunity to lead one of our two horses – Cracker and Ozzie.
It was incredibly encouraging to hear the passion from students who want to pursue a career in the industry and the desire to further the knowledge they already have. The Silverdale Academy was able to provide them with information on the various study and career pathways available, allowing them to explore their passions within the thoroughbred industry.
“Thank you Silverdale Farm, Avoca for your engaging and popular activation for the students…they all came away with a true understanding thanks to your hands on approach!!!!” – Duncan Kendall, Head of Education at Royal Agricultural Society.
Expression of thanks
Owen Buik, Head Clerk of the Course, Australian Turf Club
One of our favourite educators with the Silverdale Academy is Owen Buik. Owen has worked with the ATC for 10 years and is responsible for the wellbeing, education, maintenance and diet of the Grey horses which you see at the races each week. He is responsible for preparing the horses for race days and trial days across Randwick, Canterbury, Warwick Farm and Rosehill.
We were so incredibly fortunate when we partnered with the ATC to run our programs out of Warwick Farm that we had the opportunity to have Owen support us in providing his knowledge and horse handling skills with our students. The Clerk of the Course horses are extremely gentle and placid and perfect for the students to gain their hands on practical assessment work. They learn to lead and handle horses safely. Owen has a real affinity with the students and ensures that safety is paramount. He delivers easy to understand introductory basics on how to be at one with your horse, build trust and a bonding relationship. He has a wicked sense of humour also which provides the students with some great laughs too.
Owen is also a movie star icon! He has been involved in many movies over the past 20 years as a horse wrangler – another example of a career you can aim for when you follow your passion in the horse industry.
We are truly grateful for Owens contribution and always look forward to working him.
Feedback from our interns – ‘Who inspired you?’;
“Owen Buik, his practicality and utilitarian style resonated with me and I greatly enjoyed hearing his stories – every one is a practical learning experience.”
“Handling the horses with Owen and developing on the practical skills.”
Profile of the Month
We have so many incredible supporters from the industry who step in to volunteer their time and inspire our students and interns.
This week we would like to express our thanks to Kembla Grange Racecourse, Illawarra Turf Club. Both our Illawarra School careers tour and Intern Programs are grateful for the support of Kembla Grange Racecourse.
David Anderson, Racecourse Manager, ensures he makes himself available to provide informative education to our students on a day in the life working at a racetrack. The students gain access to the track, jockey’s rooms, and have the opportunity to meet trainers such as Price Racing and Markwell Racing. This gives students a well-rounded overview of the thoroughbred breeding and racing industries.
Our special thanks go to David Anderson, Racecourse Manager, Peter De Vries, CEO, and Lindsay Murphy, Chairman.
Did you know?
The Australian thoroughbred industry provides employment for more than 75,000 people, with around 80% of these jobs being in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. More than 45% of this employment is directly related to racing activities, whilst the remainder is created within industries that support racing.
There are more than 6,770 active breeders in Australia, supported by more than 12,700 staff and volunteers. More than 67% of all breeders reside or operate in regional parts of Australia.
Coming Up!
REIP School Careers Day
Next month will be a busy one for the Silverdale Academy. We are running two school careers programs – one for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven area at Silverdale farm, and another at Warwick Farm for our Western Sydney region schools. Our RIEP careers tours provide school students years 10-12 an overview of the possibilities of working in the horse industry. They have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders with career chats, beginner-level horse handling safety and are provided with information on the various pathways to further study and careers.
If your school is interested in participating, please get in touch with your school’s career advisor and local RIEP representative.
We are now in the early stages of formulating a schools program to be run out of Randwick Racecourse later in the year for our Sydney city based students. More information coming up.
Silverdale Academy Internship Program
Next Internship Program:
11 September to 27 October
(Practical at Warwick Farm Racecourse)
