The Archibull Prize Update

The Archibull Prize students are still going strong. Since our last update, we have received an extension until Term 2 next year which will give us plenty of time to continue our research and art installation, Mary Moo-Killop.

Our Young Farming Champion, Franny Earp has been hard at work organising our second Women in Agriculture Forum which occurred on 12th October via Zoom. Once again, we gathered virtually to meet more women who are making a huge impact in the world of agriculture; Chloe Dutschke and Katherine Bain.

Chloe is passionate about wool. She grew up in Clare in South Australia before getting a degree in Animal Science from The University of Adelaide. Chloe has travelled to Indonesia to investigate the live export trade, and to Hong Kong to learn about wool’s final destination in the fashion market.

Katherine is a fifth generation sheep farmer. She grew up on the family farm at Stockyard Hill, Victoria, Katherine received her Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness) from Marcus Oldham College.

She has experience working for Paraway Pastoral Company and is now a farm hand at St Enochs Pastoral. At the age of 14, Katherine had established the St Enoch Coopworth Stud.

Both women spoke extensively about their pathways through education and the workforce including the ups and downs and all the changes that have occurred between what they thought they wanted to do and their agricultural work. It was great to hear their stories about travelling and working in places like Japan, South Africa and Laos as well as working with different animals including sharks, sheep and buffalo. They showed us the different opportunities available to women in agriculture.

These two women also emphasised the importance of not trying to be one of the boys even though they work in a male-dominated industry. They instead said we need to focus on what skills we bring to a situation and how our unique perspectives can make a difference and add more.