22 | Smedley Station opens its gates in June Cadets come out of the two year course carrying NZQA-accredited Certificates in Agriculture Level 3 or 4. Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Smedley Station When you consider that the first cadet training programme unrolled in 1931, there’s got to be a wealth of history residing between the boundary fences of Smedley Station’s 5,600 hectares. It’s a pleasure to speak again with long-serving manager Rob Evans, ahead of this year’s Open Day in June. Rob is not alone as a former cadet, now serving among the staff of the sprawling sheep, beef and deer station and cadet training farm, located some 14km west of Tikokino in Hawke’s Bay. Each year 13 cadets are selected from upward of 80 who apply for a place among the cohort of 17 and 18 year olds. Rob says selecting 13 from such a number isn’t an easy task, but they are clear on what they are looking for in the aspiring young men and women who apply. “They have to be able to work in a team and that means having the flexibility to adapt to other personalities, points of view and to be willing to do their bit as part of a team,” says Rob. The cadet programme extends over a two-year period, with the focus in year one being the general skills needed to contribute well on a farm. Fencing, building, some engineering work, horsemanship and operating tractors, to name a few are covered off, while the second year focusses more on stock work. “It’s also a time when cadets begin to see what it is they are most keenly interested in pursuing.” Each year in June Smedley Station opens its gates to an Open Day, giving prospective cadets an opportunity to see some of the property and understand how the programme is experienced. This is the first encounter often for the students prior to formally applying for a position in the training programme. As cadets approach the ‘business end’ of their two year course Rob says a focus is to support them to find gainful employment after the course finishes. “By the time we’ve got to September in the second year, almost every cadet, if not every cadet, has found a position on a farm, or chosen to pursue further academic training.” Cadets come out of the two year course carrying NZQA-accredited Certificates in Agriculture Level 3 or 4, often enabling them to pivot to more study. Recently cadets completed building a new wool-shed on the Parks Peak block, replacing the old shed that burnt down. Cadets milled the timber and worked together to build it from the ground up. “That was a really great experience for them to practically contribute their skills and labour to build a really great wool-shed. It was good to apply their learning into such a worthwhile project,” Rob says. “This was a major undertaking that demonstrates the hands-on skills our cadets are developing. They have created a valuable asset that will stand for years to come.” Rob is especially proud of the long-service of many of the staff involved in delivering the learning. “I had a new guy come in in September replacing a staff member who has been here for 23 years. He’s an ex-cadet himself and as far as the rest of the team is concerned, everyone has been here a minimum of six years.” This longevity gives the cadet programme a really solid sense to its purpose and direction, as our Aerial Requirements For All Y Certified Air Operators · Thistle/Brushweed Spraying · Solid/Liquid/Bulk/Fertiliser · Fine Particle Application · Specialist Agricultural Applicators with DGPS · Fire Fighting/Fire lighting · Frost protection · General Charter & Scenic Flights · Fishing & Hunting Excursions General inquiries +64 (0)6 879 9242 Bruce Allen 021 808 849 Jim Guerin 021 673 426 For more information www.helicoptershawkesbay.co.nz info@helihb.co.nz Helicopters Hawkes Bay is proud to support Smedley Station Servicing Hawke’s Bay with locations in Waipukurau and Hastings 06 858 8983 and 06 878 3289 RCYCLES BAY M OUR COMMUNITY, OUR ANIMALS m 06 858 9060 K www.vshb.co.nz Vet Services are proud to work closely alongside many sheep farms with a shared goal of improving animal health & performance. Our sheep conveyor allows us to provide additional vet technician and sheep handling services to clients across Hawkes Bay, Get in touch if you would like to find out more or to make a booking. WAVE200784 CELEBRATING RURAL LEADERS WWW.AFFCO.CO.NZ | 0800 233 2669 new thinking and technologies are introduced to the teaching programme. “We have a really good relationship with EIT. Courses are carefully moderated each year to ensure the teaching methodologies and standards are maintained.” This year’s Open Day is scheduled for June 7th and 8th, which last year attracted a record number of attendees. For more information, visit smedley.ac.nz/
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