Disease outbreak ignites ag career

She vividly recalls being captivated by the effect of the disease, and the way animal movement was restricted afterwards.

"I just remember thinking 'wow' those diseases are fascinating," she said.

Today the 25 year-old is an animal health officer with the Victorian government, working with a team of four in Ballarat.

Her day-to-day responsibilities encompass animal welfare, livestock traceability and disease surveillance – working with cattle, sheep and pigs.

"Some days I am out doing welfare checks on farms or in the saleyards," Ms Stacey said.

"Other days I might be out blood-testing sheep if a producer has had issues."

The disease surveillance aspect of her job is largely about safeguarding market access, and includes checking for diseases Australia is currently free of.

"We also keep an eye out for various signs that might indicate foot and mouth disease; we are constantly on the lookout for exotic and emerging diseases," she said.

Her team covers a huge area, including the Grampians Shire, Ballarat Shire, Hepburn Shire, Moorabool Shire, Pyrenees and Golden Plains.

She's been in the gig for two years and has been enjoying working in the industry.

"I've found the welfare side of things challenging," she said.

"The most enjoyable aspect has been the disease surveillance side of things."

To date, Ms Stacey has not been involved in any disease outbreaks in her region.

"If there was, I would be involved from the emergency response side of things," she added.

"I might be working on properties, managing the livestock, quarantining and ensuring there weren't any stock movements between places," she said.

Ms Stacey said upholding biosecurity was crucial to Australia's agriculture sector, in terms of maintaining markets.

"It is important and could cost the industry a lot of money if a major outbreak was to occur," she said.

Before shifting to Ballarat, Ms Stacey grew up in north and north-west Queensland on large cattle stations.

"One of the stations was at Richmond, and it was 75,000 acres (30,351 hectares)," she said.

"We ran about 1000 head of breeder cattle there."

The nearest town was 70 kilometres from her home, and up until the age of 10 she completed distance education.

"It was challenging for mum and dad, but I loved it," she said.

"There were always opportunities to get ahead with school work, so we could go out in the paddock mustering…it was a great way to grow up."

Her family moved to another large station at Charters Towers when she was 10, and she was able to go to a traditional school.

Throughout her teenage years, Ms Stacey entertained thoughts of other careers aside from agriculture on and off, but never seriously considered doing anything else.

In 2012, Ms Stacey finished an applied science degree at the University of Queensland, majoring in animal science, as well as animal and plant biosecurity.

She was offered the role at Ballarat in 2013 and jumped at the opportunity.

The move to Victoria and the role was a huge learning curve – and still is.

"Victoria in general is different to what I am used to," she said.

"But it's been a great experience."

Longer-term, she admits travelling might be on the agenda.

"I am quite happy where I am for the next little while, but I love going to different places and seeing and experiencing different things," she said.

"I would like to experience agricultural industries overseas."

Recently she was awarded the Agribusiness Young Achiever of the Year at the Ballarat Rural Achiever Awards – and she is keen to stay in the agricultural industry in the long run.

"I would like to own my own property one day, but where that will be and on what scale, I am not quite sure," she said.

For the moment, she is happy to continue working in animal health.

While many people associate agriculture with being a farmer, Ms Stacey's role represents the diverse nature of the industry.

"There are so many different areas to work in," she added.

She said assisting farmers and dealing with animal losses after the Mickleham bushfires earlier this year had been one of the most challenging tasks of her job so far.

"It was just something I had never seen before," she said. "I've seen burnt country, but not like this and not to this extent."

She had experienced fires getting out of control in paddocks up in Queensland, but described the Mickleham fires as "raging".

"I just don't know what I was expecting to see at the time," she said.

As for career highlights, Ms Stacey said she worked with a great team.

"It's just nice to work with people that are so positive," she said.