(07) 47-888-222
Monday to Friday 9AM to 4PM
gandvtoomby@bigpond.com
(07) 47-888-222
Monday to Friday 9AM to 4PM
gandvtoomby@bigpond.com
Toomby Horsemanship Ultimate Rural Training Centre delivers flexible industry training and skills development programs that focus on practical experience and may include nationally accredited training provided through a delivery partnership with our Registered Training Organisation.
BACKGROUND
Inspired by their own career experiences, and many stories shared throughout the industry, Geoff & Vicki acquired Wonderland Station with the dream of creating a working cattle property where they could help young people to learn and develop the skills and knowledge needed to safely commence working in the industry. 20 years later, in 2012, Geoff & Vicki received the appropriate approvals to turn Wonderland Station into a training centre, opening the gates to their first group of rural training students.
With the top-end’s annual wet season on their doorstep, Geoff & Vicki purchased and installed a set of 7 demountable buildings, in December 2013. These buildings were officially opened in April of the following year and became the Toomby Horsemanship Ultimate Rural Training Centre, our training facilities with on-site accommodation for participants.
Over the years, when time and finances permit, our Ultimate Rural Training Centre’s facilities are continually being improved and transforming. The biggest improvement occurred in 2017, thanks to the generosity and support received from the Members of our local Rotary Club of Sunrise Townsville who, with the help from some participants residing on-site, constructed the new multi-purpose outdoor area. This area is being well-used for training and recreational activities.
ACCOMMODATION & FARM STAY EXPERIENCE
Our Rural Training Centre’s accommodation buildings includes, 3 buildings housing 5 private single accommodation rooms allowing for up to 15 people to live-in, a separate amenities block located to the back that includes 4 en-suite style bathrooms and a laundry room, an industrial kitchen with its own separate cold room and outdoor multi-purpose area, as well as the administration building.
Each of the 15 accommodation rooms are private and lockable, they are all air-conditioned for the warmer months and are furnished with a single bed, built in desk and hanging space/ shelving, plus most also have a small fridge. We provide the linen, however in the colder months we encourage those intending to reside on-site to bring blankets as unfortunately these are in limited supply.
RURAL TRAINING PROGRAMS
Toomby Horsemanship Ultimate Rural Training Centre provides industry-based Rural Training Programs that focuses on practical experience, in a supported learning environment. These Programs include the nationally accredited qualification, Certificate III in Rural Operations – AHC32816, and are delivered in partnership with our Registered Training Organisation.
The qualification reflects the role of employees such as station hands on a cattle station who perform tasks including safe rural procedures. It is an opportunity to gain some hands-on experience whilst forming an understanding of industry expectations, as well as a few tricks handed down from Ringers and stockmen of yesteryear. Learning outcomes include training in specialised livestock management techniques and procedures that are used in the industry, legal compliance requirements, risk management systems and continuous improvement processes.
While many of the large cattle properties may use motorbikes, vehicles and helicopters for mustering and have their own safety awareness training for these, mustering by horseback continues to be the preferred industry practice. To ensure the students learning experience is inclusive of these current industry practices, we deliver some of the skills development training from our Horsemanship Clinics as part of these programs.
The duration of these programs may vary and includes the Farm-Stay Experience, further adding to the participants overall learning experience as they prepare for the life of living and working on remote rural cattle property.
More about our Rural Training Programs
SKILLS4LIFE PROGRAM
Each week we respond to messages and take calls from parents, guardians and supporting organisations seeking alternate programs for young people who may not meet the eligibility requirements for government-funded programs or may have completed other programs and are seeking an opportunity to develop their skills for life in a practical work experience based program.
Through our Skills4Life Program we provide participants the opportunity to work as part of the team completing everyday tasks on a working cattle property as we help them to understand and develop the critical skills they’ll need to make better choices and be more successful in all areas of their lives, based on our guiding principles of mutual understanding and respect.
The duration of these programs will vary to meet the individual or group needs of participants and allows for commencements to best fit the needs of the individual or group.
More about our Skills4Life Programs
ULTIMATE RURAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Geoff & Vicki, along with long-time supporters and friends, have established the Ultimate Rural Community Foundation with hopes of gaining the much needed financial assistance of Government and Community Grants, as well as community donations, so they can continue delivering their programs and supporting young people.
More about our Ultimate Rural Community Foundation.
We acknowledge our nation’s First People and the Traditional Land Owners of the area Wonderland Station is located, the Bindal and Wulgurukaba People, and pay respect to their cultures, their ancestors and to the Elders past, present and future generations.