Ag careers on offer at expo

AN exhibitor at this weekend’s Golden Plains Careers Expo will be championing the agriculture industry, and jobs available within the Shire’s borders.

Western Plains Pork will be represented by its CEO Judy Croagh, who said she is keen to be part of the first-time event.

“Even though we’re local, sometimes people don’t know we exist, so this just gives the business the opportunity to be presented,” she said.

“Golden Plains Shire has a lot of farms, that’s its base, and we love to give people the chance to work locally.

“Where most people would leave the Shire during the day to work somewhere else, there are opportunities in agriculture here, and the community shouldn’t lose sight of that.”

The business’ staff work on site at their farm in Mount Mercer, whether they’re in admin, or a technician.

“We have approximately 47 people here,” Ms Croagh said. “We have farmhands, stock people, admin people, tractor drivers, farm technicians, mechanics, and general maintenance people.

“We have a broad, diverse range of jobs here, which are not limited to working with the pigs.

“For anyone interested in agriculture, there is always opportunity here. They’ll love the animals, the good group of people, and being part of a good culture.

“No day is ever the same.”

Based in the centre of Golden Plains, the farm is one of many in the area which attract workers from the north towards Ballarat, and from the south towards Geelong.

“We’re in a really good location, so it takes half an hour from a number of different areas to get to the farm,” Ms Croagh said.

“We have employees from places including Rokewood, Inverleigh, Buninyong, and Sebastopol.”

The Golden Plains Careers Expo is to be held at Bannockburn Cultural Centre on Saturday 24 June from 10am to 3pm.