RIST in the NT
Host: Charles Darwin University, Katherine Rural Campus
Written by Alison Haines – VET Lecturer, Charles Darwin University.
Each year, Sally and Ian Aldridge bring Rural Industries Skills Training Students from Victoria to experience three weeks living and working in the Northern Territory. The program combines two weeks on-station work experience and one week working with the Charles Darwin University Katherine Rural Campus Show Cattle team.
Here’s what they had to say in 2017:
Angelique Dinges – RIST Student:
The past three weeks I have spent up here in the Northern Territory has been nothing but amazing. I have seen and experienced so much, bringing back memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime.
After spending two weeks at LaBelle Downs Station I can easily say there was not one moment I did not enjoy. It’s almost impossible to write down on paper or explain how unreal it was. Working with the other station hands and manager taught me so much, in such little time. It gave me a great insight of what life is like as a jillaroo. The scenery, temperature, people, and lifestyle are just a few things which made it such an unforgettable experience.
The last week we learnt how to prepare and show Brahman cattle. It was an enjoyable experience and a great way to see and participate in the Katherine Show.
Overall, I would recommend a trip like this to anyone who is interested in working on a station one day. I can’t thank the guys at Labelle enough, as now I would fully consider coming back up here and giving it a crack.
Angelique Dinges meets Rural College Martha on the Monday morning before Katherine Show cattle judging on Thursday.
Emily McMahon – RIST Student:
The three weeks I spent in the Northern Territory was an excellent experience. Working on a station gave me an insight into the life of a jillaroo and an opportunity to learn new skills. Labelle Downs was an amazing station and allowed me to see so many new things. The week I spent at the college helping prepare the cattle for the show was an enjoyable experience where I got to learn many new things. Overall this trip and the memories I have made is something I will always remember.
Emily McMahon with Rural College Kara on the Monday morning before Katherine Show cattle judging on Thursday.
Brad Petersen – RIST Student:
The three weeks I had in the Northern Territory was one of the best things I’ve done. Spending the first two weeks at Labelle Downs Station was a great experience, met some great people, and saw some great things from the air and on foot. Mainly, the work side of things was the best. Processing 2000 head in three days was good to see how things are done up here and being able to know what it’s like if I was to move up. We spent the last week showing cattle at the Katherine Show.
Brad Petersen With Rural College Kara at the 2017 Katherine Show.
Angelique Dinges with Rural College Martha at the 2017 Katherine Show
(L-R) Rural Industries Skills Training Students Emily McMahon, Angelique Dinges, and Brad Petersen.