Orange local and TAFE NSW student Billy Steer has won the 2022 Ivan Kingham Award at the Australian National Field Days in Borenore.

The Ivan Kingham award is presented annually at the Australian National Field Days to a student who has shown outstanding dedication and excelled in their Agribusiness course.

After studying a Certificate III and IV in Agriculture, Billy is now completing a Diploma of Viticulture at TAFE NSW.

It’s a great time to join the industry as NSW is Australia’s second-largest wine-producing state, accounting for 32 per cent of Australia’s $44 billion wine industry.[i]

Currently working as a Vineyard Supervisor for See Saw Wines in Orange, Billy said studying at TAFE NSW gives him the opportunity to apply his practical skills directly into the workplace.

“I first enrolled in a Certificate III in Agriculture at TAFE NSW, and that traineeship offered me an excellent entry to the agriculture sector as well as a qualification I could take with me wherever I decided to go.

“I have always had a passion for working with my hands as well as the outdoors, so agriculture offered me a great way to do both. After my first course was complete, I was having too much fun and decided to continue on to my Certificate IV.

“I’m currently studying a Diploma of Viticulture, and after this, I’ll do study a Certificate III in Irrigation Tech to learn how to design, install, and manage irrigation systems. Then I’ll head down to South Australia and work there managing a vineyard before I take the big leap into buying a farm of my own.”

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Agribusiness, Dubbo, Kerri Capill said “We are beyond proud of Billy winning the Ivan Kingham Award at this year’s National Fields Days”.

“TAFE NSW is supporting a pipeline of highly skilled and passionate industry professionals to support the growing wine industry in NSW and Thanks to his commitment to building practical skills, we know Billy has a bright future

Media contact: Callum Darby-Linfitt, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7921 1823 callum.darbylinfitt@tafensw.edu.au