Danielle takes the lead in Agri-tech education in Central Australia

Danielle Brown, Vocational Educational Trainer with the  Department of Education, has won a scholarship to develop her leadership in  Agri-Tech in regional Australia. The scholarship covers a twelve month program  that includes a two-day face-to-face symposium in Brisbane with Australia’s  leading Agri-tech researchers and professionals, and the development of a  teaching module relevant to her work in Central Australia. It was open to  female trainers or teachers across Australia who work in rural education.  Danielle was selected as one of 15  successful scholarship recipients from 68 applicants around Australia.

Danielle Brown, Vocational Educational Trainer with the Department of Education,

The aim of  the program is to boost the skills of the agricultural education sector to  inspire girls to get involved in Agri-tech careers. Agriculture industries  sadly lag behind other industries in female participation rates, with only 30%  of agricultural employees female, compared to 50% for all other industries.

The scholarship program is managed by Central Queensland  University and is funded by the Federal Department of Industry, Innovation and  Science. The Department of Primary Industry and Resources (DPIR) also supports  the scholarship program, and DPIR Director Plant Industries Dr Mila Bristow  will be one of the presenters at the Brisbane symposium.

“DPIR is keen  to generate stronger  participation from women to lead the future of agri-food industries in the Territory,” Dr Bristow said.

“I’m very excited to see Danielle, as one of our two  NT teachers winning this scholarship, join the national project and be trained  to engage and teach our next generation of ‘Women in Agri-tech’. They will join  teachers from around Australia to be introduced to learning resources in  agriculture and technology. I’m confident our NT teachers will return to their  classrooms inspired.”

Dr Mila Bristow from will be on of teh Agri-Tech leaders to contribute tot he development of Scholorship holders Australia wide

Above: Dr Mila Bristow from will be on of teh Agri-Tech leaders to contribute tot he development of Scholorship holders Australia wide.

Danielle trains 15-18  year olds from Yirara and Centralian Colleges towards their Certificate I in  Agrifood Operations or Certificate II in Rural Operations at the AZRI  horticultural block. Danielle has a passion for all things rural, having grown up  in the rural area around Darwin, and is a graduate of the rural course at  Taminmin College at Humpty Doo. She is particularly interested in the  technology surrounding cattle identification, like the National Livestock  Identification System for cattle tracking and remote management of stock  watering using telemetry – both extremely important to Central Australian  rangeland pastoral systems. It will take around 12 months to develop the module  for her students, and Danielle is hoping it will be rolled out to Certificate  III Rural Operations students at AZRI in 2020.

The NT will  also be represented by Natasha Burrows, Agriculture teacher at Taminmin  College, who will bring her learnings back to her students to increase the  participation of women and girls in STEM and entrepreneurship through an  Agri-food context.


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