longerenong college | agriculture | conservation | land management

Testimonials | Successful students

advanced diploma of agriculture | farm apprenticeship |
rural business management | older courses

Advanced Diploma of Agriculture

“This course was a fantastic opportunity to build many new friendships, and gain knowledge and experience in a range of agricultural areas. This has led to a great foundation for employment. The lecturers and staff of Longerenong College were a vital part of the success of our class. Their knowledge, assistance and support through the two years and beyond have been greatly appreciated by us as the students.

I’m looking forward to continually learning and facing the exciting challenges that agriculture brings as a whole. The importance of agriculture cannot be overemphasized, as it is the basis for the many things that are needed for everyday life.“

Joanna McKerrow, Dux of Course 2007

“I appreciate the way the courses are structured, which provides a great environment for learning. The wide network of students, who mainly live on campus, is supporting with both study and the social life.”

Tara Miller, 2007

“It was a good course because it provided practical experience as well as the industry knowledge that I needed for the job. The course gave me the added skills employers were looking for.”

Rebecca Barry, 2006

“After finishing school, I left Melbourne and headed to Outback Queensland. Over the course of three years working my way up the ranks on sheep and cattle stations, I realised that I needed higher education in order to advance further in the industry. I researched different courses across Australia, and the Advanced Diploma of Agriculture at Longerenong stood out because of its broad mix of subjects including business, cropping and livestock, which allowed me to keep my career options open. The balance between theory and practical experience on the College farm and within the animal enterprises also appealed because I was not interested in learning about agriculture at a city campus or entirely from a lecture theatre. Finally, the fact that the course was only two years duration meant that I could get back in the workplace sooner.

Twelve months on, the skills and experience I gained at Longerenong, particularly in business planning, management and marketing, have given me a sound foundation that I have built upon to establish my own company. Farm Test Australia Pty. Ltd. is a specialist provider of electrical testing and tagging services, helping farms and rural businesses fulfill their OH&S obligations in relation to electrical safety in the workplace. As proof of the diverse opportunities available to graduates, I am also working in the cattle feedlot industry, with thanks again to the skills gained at Longerenong and the contacts made whilst studying there.”

Sally Elmslie, 2005

Farm Apprenticeship

“Longerenong College offers broadacre agricultural training and education for young people. My son has just started his third year of his apprenticeship and Longerenong, and we know that Daniel will also gain relevant industry training by attending trade school over the next three years in the Wimmera.”

Mark Simmons

Rural Business Management

“I found the course worthwhile and believed that anyone who was willing to put into the course would gain a lot from it. The flexibility is good. There is quite a bit of work I could do at home when it suited me. The tutors were also very supportive and helpful.”

Vicki South, Dux of Course, 2005

Older Courses

“Great chance to meet others interested in agriculture, and an opportunity to develop friendships and industry networks.”

Cecilia Caris, 1986

“The first thing I would say about being a student at Longerenong, they were the best years of my life, away from home and making new friends, being involved in sport and social activities and learning about an industry I have a passion for – Agriculture. I grew up on a farm at Kaniva and had already learned a lot about the businesses we were involved in, cropping and sheep, but Longerenong broadened my view of the world, learning about engineering, beef cattle, fruit trees, vegetable production, economics and the basic tools of science in the areas of statistics, biology and systems. I even developed an interest in hydroponics, which led on to my first job, this was something I knew nothing of before Longerenong.

Longerenong was an opportunity for me to develop my passion, broaden my horizons. I have ended up in the field of plant breeding, a career I had never considered before I started my tertiary education. Longerenong gave the basis for developing a career, in an area I am proud to be involved.”

Dr Russell Eastwood, 1981

“I graduated from Longerenong with a Diploma in Agricultural Services in 1996 and articulated across to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science, Agriculture in 1999. I grew up on a family broadacre property at Donald and pursued agricultural research and science rather than going into the ag service industry or back to the family farm. I first worked with the DPI as a faba bean extension officer, from there became a TopCrop agronomist and now I’m involved with barley. Longerenong provides life skills as well as an acute awareness of the many layers of agriculture. There is camaraderie, and the opportunity to meet people from across Australia is invaluable.

College combines both hands-on work with academic business skills. Life is all about experiences and one of the important things is about Longy is that it provides an opportunity for people who might be reluctant to move from their comfort zones to explore their potential.”

Mary Raynes, Barley Industry Development Officer, DPI Horsham