Yan Yean

Northern Lodge

Koorie Services Centre

Aquaculture Training & Applied Research Centre

Primary Industries Production & Training Centre

Youth Unit

International Horizons

Vocational Degrees

Memories Of A Hero - Lou Richards

An Old Boy Reflects - Ron Barassi

A Sporting Life - Bill Lawry Hits A Six

NORTHERN LODGE

The 'covering' of a stallion and a mare (the mating ritual - in the presence of a vet) is just one of the life experiences in thoroughbred breeding that NMIT students observe at Northern Lodge. They also learn about the intricate physiology of the horse as well as complex genetics in order to fully understand and know about the breeding of thoroughbreds. This is just one of NMIT's Agriculture & Animal Science Department equine courses offered at Northern Lodge, bought in 1994 by NMIT as a wild and unkempt 60-hectare paddock with serious gully erosion and no internal fencing. It was transformed by NMIT into a modern, functional thoroughbred stud with three stallions from New Zealand - Super Fiesta , Command Post and Flying Gulch and about 30 mares. There can be between 20-30 additional mares when other studs use the stallions for mating.

Located at Eden Park in the Plenty Valley where the vineyard fringes the property, facilities at Northern Lodge include a covering barn, menage, a horse walker to build muscles and body strength and a sand roll for working horses. There is a stable complex and a manager's residence on site. Recently, NMIT acquired a 260-hectare property that adjoins Northern Lodge and incorporates a 1400-metre racing/training track and agistment facilities.

As a normal working 60- hectare stud, Northern Lodge operates as an educational and practical training facility as well as a commercial enterprise, selling foals and yearlings and also charging service fees for the use of its stallions. The top priority of the stud is its focus on education offering certificate courses and a diploma in Horse Studies (Breeding). It also offers a certificate in stablehand/trackriding as well as Certificate IV and a Diploma in Racing for prospective horse trainers, introduced in 2001 at the request of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). It is the only TAFE institute in Metropolitan Melbourne to offer the certificate and diploma.

In the Horse Studies (Breeding) programs, the range of studies are diverse and include stable management, property stud management, horse handling, horse health, grooming, equipment use, and the legal requirements in breeding. This year, the stud achieved the remarkable feat of ranking second on the Super Vobis (Victorian Owners and Breeders Incentive Scheme) premiership for the 2001/2002 racing season. Over 6000 horses a season compete in the Super Vobis premiership around Victoria, which was introduced by Racing Victoria in 1987 to promote racing excellence and enhance the financial viability of racing. Northern Lodge, a relatively small stud, joined Super Vobis in 1995 and has had 13 placegetters and winners this racing season. This includes six winners, five seconds and two thirds. NMIT does not itself race horses, but rather breeds the thoroughbreds for sale at selected yearling sales.

In the racing trainers' program, students learn not just how to manage a training and racing program but also about providing workplace leadership and managing workplace relations. About 60 students aged from 17 to 55 years are enrolled in the Certificates and Diploma of Horse Studies (Breeding) with studies available part-time. There are 25 full-time and 18 part-time students in the racing certificate and diploma programs. Thoroughbred breeding and racing, like most traditional equine pursuits used to be male-dominated, but over the past seven years the equine industry is changing its emphasis with more women coming into it in a diversity of fields.

While horse studies' students get hands-on practical training at the stud, they are also released for 16-weeks of practical placements at other thoroughbred studs which involves eight weeks of breeding and eight weeks of yearling preparation. This enriches and enhances their experience, helping to expand their opportunities by meeting other people in the industry. They also participate in sales and the commercial operation of Northern Lodge which can assist them in obtaining employment.

Perhaps one of the least appreciated aspects of the racing industry by those outside it is farriery. This three-year apprenticeship course started in 1996 and NMIT is the only educational provider to offer farriery in Victoria. The process of shoeing a horse dates back to 2000BC when papyrus leaves were used by the Egyptians to protect the horses' hooves. Today, it is a complex and creative art demanding hard work and expertise, where students learn not just to nail a bit of metal on to the horses hooves, but also to recognise hoof and leg problems and design and manufacture the appropriate shoes. With thoroughbreds, minor ailments can be common and the farrier works with the vet to make shoes that correct the problems. As humans need podiatrists, so too do horses, and NMIT now has 20 apprentices studying farriery. They work with employers and do a three day block of study at NMIT every month.

One of the strengths of Northern Lodge and its breeding and racing programs is its close working relationship with the VRC. Indeed, the VRC has an apprentice farriery supervisor who delivers lessons and spends time assessing, advising and assisting the NMIT apprentices. NMIT has recognised that the VRC is an extremely influential and powerful body in the industry and its close links ensure NMIT's educational and training programs meet the needs of the industry and its changing demands.

Such is the success of NMIT's breeding and racing programs that in 1997 it won an international tender as a training provider for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). The tender which beat Australian institutes and universities as well as those in America and Britain developed modules for a Certificate in Racehorse Management to be delivered by Hong Kong teachers after training was provided on-site by an NMIT staff member. Modules of study include business studies, leadership, health care and stable routine and management.

The certificate course was highly successful in Hong Kong and in 1999, the HKJC asked NMIT to write modules for an Advanced Diploma in Racehorse Management for students wishing to become assistant trainers. These modules will be introduced in 2002 and will be accompanied by teachers' resource notes. The relationship with the club is testimony to the international reputation of NMIT and establishes it as one of the best training and educational providers in the world in racehorse management and breeding.