Contrary to previous years that publicly celebrated the achievements of their students, Queensland's last two agricultural colleges are ending their year and an era on a very subdued note.
The Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges communications spokeswoman Jade Hauser advised that, because of the smaller numbers of students involved, graduations had been taking place throughout the year as various courses concluded.
She said they had been doing it via cohorts.
According to the QATC website, the Longreach horsemanship and breeding course participants graduated back on June 21 while the 13 participants in the northern beef industries program that ran through the Emerald Agricultural College had their passing-out parade on September 27.
Emerald's year 12 access ag course is the only one still to graduate, on November 15, and Ms Hauser said that would be a celebration for graduates and their families only and was not open to the media.
Meanwhile, quiet speculation is rising that, as industry and communities continue to wait for the outcome of the consultation regarding the repurposing of the Emerald and Longreach campuses, it had been done for show.
As the final operational day on December 6 draws closer, advice on progress on the QATC website was not much further advanced than in early September.
The public was told then that the project management office "had met with shortlisted proponents and held group workshops in Longreach and Emerald to develop options for an operating model for each site".
The latest news is that the PMO has spoken with proponents of the shortlisted proposals for each campus, with the next meetings of the local community stakeholder committees to be held in Emerald and Longreach on November 20 and 21.
"Tailored operating models are being considered for each campus, with development of business cases underway," the site said. "The interest has centred on a multi-user model in both locations, to support the provision of vocational education, training, and research in agriculture and other industries, as well as commercial uses to underpin sustainability for the future."
Questions in parliament
The ongoing lack of any concrete announcement was the subject of a question without notice from opposition agriculture spokesman Tony Perrett in state parliament this week.
He said that nearly one year after the agricultural training colleges' closure was announced, there were still no answers on what program and courses will be available for school leavers looking for a career in agriculture, asking Agriculture Minister Mark Furner why regional Queenslanders' children's education was not a priority.
In responding, Mr Furner spoke about the community dialogue that had been taking place, commending former AgForce CEO Charles Burke for the way he was running the consultation process, saying he was pleased with the process at hand.
He reiterated the reasons behind the Palaszczuk government's closure of the colleges, saying it was thanks to the integrity and fortitude of the government that steps had been taken to "ensure not only the continuation of an operation for educational training for agriculture but also the sustainment of those communities in those particular areas".
He concluded his remarks by saying that only the Palaszczuk government supported farmers, which was why he got the title of 'Furner, the farmers' friend'.
Mr Perrett said it was disgraceful that nearly one year after Labor announced the colleges' closure, Minister Furner could not give Queenslanders a straight answer.
"No commitment on timeframes, no commitment on any outcomes or funding to deliver rural and regional Queenslanders the agriculture education they deserve," he said. "We cannot allow this culture of secrecy and arrogance to continue from the Palaszczuk government."
According to the QATC website, staff were accessing the employee assistance package, which was providing reskilling support and assistance with preparation for interviews.
It said a number of staff had already secured new employment roles, predominately in regional Queensland, and support for staff would continue throughout the transition process.
In some cases, other registered training organisations have expressed interest in offering courses previously offered by QATC, with the potential for some staff to continue providing training through these RTOs.
The Project Management Office publicly recognised the professionalism of QATC staff as they demonstrated their commitment to the students during the 'teach out' period.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
