Agribusiness collaboration

BY MICHAEL SCALZO

The Wimmera’s agribusiness stocks are set for a boost with two of the region’s premier education institutions pairing up to shorten the study path of future Wimmera entrepreneurs.

Longerenong College alumni with course experience in agricultural and agribusiness learning will be fasttracked through Federation University’s Bachelor of Business degree, thanks to a new partnership between the two tertiary schools.

Longerenong College head of campus Avril Hogan said she expected the new agreement to shorten a student’s typical business bachelor at Federation University by a year.

She said the partnership would also provide another pathway for agricultural and agribusiness graduates to pursue extended tertiary qualifications.

“Employability for Longerenong graduates is not an issue, with more than a 95 percent employment rate immediately after graduation,” she said.

“This agreement will provide a long-term benefit for graduates working in industry, and allow them pathways into a higher-level tertiary qualification.

“The Bachelor of Business will recognise the agriculture and agribusiness units, and credit 65 or 75 points towards a 360-credit degree. This will reduce the three-year full-time degree to just over two years.”

Mrs Hogan said relationships between Longerenong College and the region’s other tertiary-education provider remained key to maximising student learning.

“We are all committed to providing quality education across a broad geographic area, and a wide range of programs, to support students and the industries who require the graduates,” she said.

“We have such wonderful facilities within the Wimmera, such as Longerenong College and Federation University and we want to maximise their use and draw as many students as possible.”

Commitment

Federation University Wimmera campus director Christine Brown said she looked forward to developing greater cross-institution and cross-industry relationships, as the university embraced its ‘commitment’ to the Wimmera.

“Federation University has a strong commitment to supporting the Wimmera and helping people upskill or reskill to meet the region’s job needs,” she said.

“This is just one of the exciting collaborations and partnerships Federation University has established in recent months and we look forward to developing further opportunities where students, the community and industry all benefit.”

CELEBRATION: Horsham’s Harvest Church will celebrate a 40-year milestone this weekend. Current senior pastors Andrew and Rachel Cartledge, pictured far left and far right, will lead a service on Sunday from 10.30am. The service will celebrate the church’s life and ministry throughout four decades, including honouring pastors John and Cherylene Martin, centre, who led the congregation for 17 years. Morning tea and coffee will be provided. The church is in Florence Street, Horsham. People wanting more information can go to www.harvestchurch.org.au

New recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination

All Australian adults who have not had a COVID-19 vaccine booster or a confirmed case of the virus in the previous six months will be able to receive another booster dose from Monday.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, ATAGI, advised the Federal Government of the new recommendation to give adults additional protection against severe illness from COVID-19.

ATAGI recommends everyone at risk of severe illness – that is, everyone aged 65 years and older as well as younger adults who have medical comorbidities, disability or complex health, needs a 2023 booster dose. The ATAGI also advised otherwise healthy children and teenagers do not need a booster at this time.

Health minister Mark Butler said the government had secured ‘millions of doses’ of Omicron-specific boosters, with millions more arriving this month.

“From February 20, all adults who have not had a booster or an infection in the past six months can go out and get a booster shot, to give themselves additional protection against severe illness from COVID-19,” Mr Butler said.

“Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells and I will be writing to aged care providers to encourage them to bring pharmacists and GPs into their facilities to administer the additional booster doses.”

In all instances, the recommendation for a booster is for people whose most recent COVID-19 vaccine or infection was six months or more ago, irrespective of how many prior doses that person has received.

People can visit www.covid-vaccine. healthdirect.gov.au/booking to book an appointment.