Name: Fiona
Role Title: University Student ( Bachelor of Applied Science/Bachelor of Commerce )
Location: The University of Melbourne

BACKGROUND:
Grew up where?
Fiona has always had a strong attachment with rural Australia and the varied issues associated with it. Her family owns a property "Allendale" situated in NSW, north of Goodnight, a small vineyard settlement on the Murray River. The property covers approximately 5000 acres and supports both cereal cropping and a merino sheep enterprise.

Course(s) studied:
Tertiary /post secondary:
Fiona attended Tooleybuc Central School, a small school that operated an agricultural farm of five acres on the banks of the Murray River. Fiona was able to study agriculture from Years 7 to 12, therefore with this background, she has a sound base for a future career in the agricultural industry. After completing Year 12 in 1996 Fiona was offered a place at the University of Melbourne to study a combined degree of a Bachelor of Applied Science/Bachelor of Commerce. She is currently a forth year student.

Work experience:
Fiona has completed work experience at various locations. While at secondary school she worked at Elders Pty Ltd in Swan Hill, where she was able to witness the everyday running of their operations and gain experience in pre-stock sale preparations and merchandising. While at University Fiona has worked for an Agricultural marketing and research company based in South Melbourne, where she developed skills in data collection, chemical use and storage practices. During the harvest period Fiona worked for Vicgrain Ltd, based in a grain laboratory at Marong, Victoria. For the last two years she has worked as a laboratory assistant in the canola laboratory. This work involved testing samples from bulk loads taken at silos from around Victoria. During the 99/2000 harvest period Fiona was promoted to the position of supervisor of the protein laboratory. This laboratory is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of protein and moisture measuring machines at all the Vicgrain silos around Victoria. It involved liaising with territory managers and advising them of bias adjustments necessary at particular sites based on results from the laboratory. Over the last few years Fiona has also worked on an horticultural farm north of Swan Hill, picking stone fruit for both the domestic and export markets as well as being active on her family farm with all areas of production and management.

OPPORTUNITIES:
Further study:
As well as her other qualifications Fiona hopes to complete a Diploma of Education in the future, because she believes that there is a shortage of qualified agricultural teachers. In the immediate future, however, Fiona is working hard to finish her degrees with honours.

Travel, etc.
Fiona hopes to work in the grains industry, in the area of marketing and international trade which provide opportunities to travel.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW:
students up to Year 10
Fiona's advice to younger people is to think of agriculture as more than farming. She believes it is important to understand that to be involved in Australian agriculture incorporates every moment along the production line, from the farm gate to the end product. Fiona wishes to encourage students to read rural news and familiarise themselves with the current issues. She believes that the subjects undertaken at Year 10 level are not critical in pursuing further studies in agriculture, however relevant subjects would be helpful.

VCE students
At this level subject selection is very important. Most agricultural degrees will involve Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics and it is of definite benefit at university level to have some grounding in such areas. Fiona says students should start researching different tertiary courses and other options in Year 11. Once decided on an area of study, more research into individual courses offered by the different universities and their core subjects and structure is useful as universities vary in choice of electives and areas of specialisation. Fiona also suggests that students attend appropriate Open Days Fiona advises students to make sure they understand the university selection process and important dates for submitting course applications.