Student Stories

Ben - Certificate III in Agriculture Graduate

“I’m deeply connected to agriculture, living on my family’s sheep and crop farm in Lake Bolac. I work on the farm year-round every day when I’m not at school. I’m outside with the dogs, doing sheep work, fencing, on the excavator, or in the tractor. Farming is a big part of my life”.
 
– Ben

Jack - Certificate IV in Agriculture Student

“My father, Rob, who has extensive industry knowledge to share and is great to discuss ideas with, inspires me.”
 
– Jack
 
 

Katy - Certificate III in Agriculture Graduate & Jeremy Upton Scholarship Recipient

“Working in Agriculture is something I’ll do for the rest of my life”
 
 – Katy McMahon

Jacob - Certificate III in Agriculture Student

 
“Immerse yourself in the industry, push through the tough times, and surround yourself with knowledgeable people. Their expertise will be incredibly valuable.”
 
– Jacob

Kerry - Certificate IV in Agriculture

Meet Kerry Leigh, a 40-year-old Mum of three, Certificate IV in Agriculture Student and full-time dairy farmer at Aurora Dairies in Hamilton.

RIST Alumni Shine Bright at South West Dairy Awards

South West Dairy Awards, Held in Warrnambool on May 16th, proved to be a fantastic event and opportunity to shine a light on and celebrate those in the South-West Victorian dairy industry who are excelling in the Industry!

Graduate as Class of 2025

Graduate as Class of 2025!

We are now welcoming mid – year enrolments (July 2024 start date) for a range of our Agricultural Courses.

Kiarah - Certificate III in Agriculture Student

Meet Kiarah and her Border Collie Boots

Student Stories

At RIST, we’re passionate about creating pathways to successful careers in Agriculture for all our students.

 

We have an incredible community of students at RIST. All possessing different skills, interests and ambitions, and each representing the faces, passion and talent of the current and next generation of Agriculture.

Their stories reflect the heart of RIST – a commitment to growth, innovation and lifelong learning, Enjoy the read, You’re sure to be inspired!

Student in the Spotlight

Rachael, Diploma of Agriculture graduate

Rachael McGrath is a established leader in the Australian dairy industry while playing a vital role in the operation of her family’s dairy farm in Orford, South West Victoria.

Now at  29 years old, working alongside her father and uncle, both aged in their 70s, she has embraced managing their full Jersey herd and innovative farming practices, alongside leadership roles that have opened up for her within the industry.

 

Her deep connection to the land and her passion for the dairy industry are evident in every aspect of her work.

Read Rachael's Story

Student in the Spotlight

Chloe, Certificate II in Shearing Graduate

Chloe Dann fell into shearing after a job opportunity lead her to a RIST shearing school in 2017.

 

Today, Chloe is a small mob shearing contractor with a passion for educating and supporting the peri-urban and hobby farmer community on managing sheep health and welfare.
 
As she reflects on her journey, Chloe offers a gentle reminder to anyone feeling stuck in a job or life they dislike,
 
“It’s never ever too late to find what sets you on fire.” For her, that fire is shearing—a passion she continues to nurture and share with others. 
 

Read more from Chloe’s journey into shearing…

Chloe's Journey into Shearing

Student in the Spotlight

Jake, Certificate III in Agriculture Graduate

“I do believe that it takes a lot of work to be a farmer, and anyone that is brave enough to take the career on and succeed, is aspirational in their own respect”
– Jake
 
Jake Tonissen has grown up on the land and is based at Byaduk, Vic and at 18, he is currently completing his final term of schooling in Hamilton. When he is not in the classroom, he is a dedicated member of his family’s maternal and terminal sheep enterprise, Chrome Sheep Studs. 
 
In August this year, Jake graduated with a Certificate III in Agriculture, where he was awarded the graduating class Leadership Award.
 

Read more about Jake’s passion for Agriculture …

Jake's story

Student in the Spotlight

Kiarah, Certificate III in Agriculture Student

In early September, we introduced you to RIST student Kiarah and her amazing Border Collie Boots.

We shared Kiarah’s fantastic video featuring her working dog skills alongside “Boots”, with the video offering a snippet of insight into what students and their dogs have been learning and applying recently as part of their Certificate III in Agriculture, Care for and Train Working Dogs Unit.

Since the video was shared across our social media channels, it has been viewed (organically) over a whopping 6,700 times!

We thought it’d be great to get to know Kiarah a little more through a Student in The Spotlight feature…

Get to know more about Kiarah & Boots

More Student Stories

Ollie Baker

Certificate II in Agriculture student, DemoDAIRY Foundation Scholarship recipient

Katy McMahon

Certificate III in Agriculture Graduate & Jeremy Upton Foundation Scholarship recipient.

Jacquelien Pol

Certificate IV in Agriculture Student & DemoDAIRY Foundation Scholarship recipient.
Image sourced DemoDairy.com
 
 
 
 

Dylan Light

Diploma of Agriculture Graduate and DemoDAIRY Foundation Scholarship recipient.

Image sourced DemoDairy.com