More than 50 Board Members, staff, partners, stakeholders, and community members attended the North Central LLEN Annual General Meeting and stakeholder event at the Rex Theatre in Charlton.
With a focus on exploring vocational pathways to success, the evening featured a range of elements including the AGM itself, a facilitated panel of young people about their vocational career pathways, the introduction of a new program, launch of the 2023 Annual Report, and a video highlighting the work undertaken by the North Central LLEN in 2023.
Chairperson Cr. Dan Straub welcomed everyone to the meeting and ran through the usual procedural matters before launching the Annual Report documenting the projects and initiatives the LLEN had been involved in during 2023 and commending this to the membership.
Board Members
Two current Board Members were re-elected to the Board – Anthony Hogan (Donald) and Brooke Arnold (Boort), and one Board member was farewelled – Cheryl McKinnon (Pyramid Hill) with Dan thanking her for her contribution over many years.
After a short break to allow attendees to enjoy the drinks and nibbles on offer in the foyer, and network with others, everyone entered the theatre auditorium to the sounds of the didgeridoo by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Jason Kerr followed by a traditional welcome to country.
Panel
Thanking Jason, North Central LLEN CEO Jane Hosking then introduced Jacinta Sutton, the North Central LLEN’s Careers and Pathways Team Leader who facilitated a panel of four young people who have chosen a vocational career pathway.
Lilly Hocking
The youngest member of the panel, Lilly Hocking from East Loddon P-12 College is currently completing a School Based Apprenticeship (SBAT) as part of her VCE Vocational Major studies and loves the opportunity to spend time at both school and in the workplace, as well as get a head start on her chosen career in agriculture.
After completing work experience with a Stock Agent (Year 10), and in the Elders Wool Room (Year 11), Lilly commenced a school-based apprenticeship through the Head Start program in Year 11 with Mansbridge Pompapiel Company which will see her complete a Certificate III in Agriculture as part of her VCE Vocational Major.
Lilly was also East Loddon P-12’s inaugural recipient of a Nutrien Ag Scholarship facilitated across all North Central schools in 2023 as part of the Department of Education’s Secondary School Agriculture Fund.
During her two farm days Lilly works with cattle and sheep and helps with the cropping program, which she loves.
“I love getting out and learning new things every day and my employers are trusting and giving me responsibilities,” she said.
Braedon Niven
The second panel member, Braedon Niven, completed Year 12 at Boort District School in 2022 and is now undertaking a traineeship at the Wycheproof Early Learning Centre where he is well loved by all the children, parents and staff alike!
This follows a work experience and SWL placements in the sector as part of his Certificate III Community Services over the last two years which gave him the opportunity to clarify that early years was the career pathway for him.
Darby Fitzpatrick
The third panellist, Darby Fitzpatrick has turned his love for trucks into a vocational career pathway – too young to drive trucks when he was starting his apprenticeship, Darby considered working on them the next best thing.
In 2020, Darby completed work experience with Hendy’s Transport, and in 2021, he embarked on a School Based Apprenticeship (SBAT) as a heavy diesel mechanic with two days of working at Hendy’s in St Arnaud, three days of school, and attending week-long training blocks at SuniTAFE.
Upon completing year 12 at Charlton College in 2022, Darby transitioned into his apprenticeship full-time and is looking forward to one day running his family trucking business. Darby had no hesitation in advising all young people interested in a vocational career to “definitely complete an SBAT to take a year off your apprenticeship whilst you are finishing school”.
Tahlijia Sheahan
The fourth panellist was Tahlijia Sheahan, currently a Compliance Officer with Teys Australia based in Charlton, combined with a one day a week position teaching VET Agriculture at the North Central Trade Training Centre (NCTTC) in Charlton.
Tahlijia completed a Certificate II in Animal Studies in Year 11 and 12 and then went on to complete a Certificate III in Business, Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety and Certificate IV Trainer and Assessor.
She was always conflicted between going down an animal-related path or a health-related path and fell into the agriculture industry after school and it has become a constant in her life ever since.
“I have gone and tried other jobs – but agriculture is something I’ve always been drawn back to,” she said.
Questions
The panellists answered a series of questions ranging from what they wanted to be when they were younger (shearer, doctor, truck driver, and zoologist), to what they love about what they do, who helped them with their career planning, why they chose a trade over University, what their future looks like, and advice for others considering a vocational career pathway.
“Find Your Feet”
After thanking the panel members and presenting them with a small gift, Jacinta introduced a new program the North Central LLEN will be bringing to the region later this year in partnership with three other Loddon Campapse LLENs.
“Find Your Feet” is a reimagined careers experience for students and parents that leaves participants feeling inspired about their pathways, and more importantly a roadmap on how they will get there. Thank you to Agnico Eagle Community Partnerships and Bendigo Regional Tourism for their support to make this happen.
The evening concluded with a short video documenting the work of the North Central LLEN in 2023 in pictures.
To view a copy of the Annual Report and see photos from the evening, or find out more about the North Central LLEN, visit their website – www.ncllen.org.au