Grace Calder’s passion for sheep, and agriculture more broadly, was sparked by a sheep stud at her high school.
Grace, 23, grew up on the Mornington Peninsula and had no family connection to agriculture.
Her first foray into sheep was showing Corriedales at Woodleigh School, Langwarrin South. Some breeders donated sheep when she was in Year 7 and Grace was involved with the stud’s formation, which captured her imagination and heart. From then on, she knew she wanted a career in agriculture.
In Year 12, Grace studied Agricultural and Horticultural studies, which required her to start a business.
Hers was the Kinatura Corriedale stud, and although some of her peers let their businesses close once the subject ended, she said she always intended to keep hers going.
“It was really important for me once I left school to continue showing because it had been such a strong part of my life,” Grace said.
“Showing gives you the opportunity to create an objective of the type of sheep you want to breed, work to achieve that and then be externally evaluated.
“You might not always agree with the judge’s decision on the day because everyone has their own view on the ‘best’ sheep but it’s good to get different perspectives on what you’ve achieved.
“And just as important are the people I’ve met through showing and the opportunities I’ve had through those networks.”
Those opportunities have included overseas travel, for example a six-week trip to the US to spend time on a Corriedale stud and on an Angus stud in 2012; and a two-week trip to New Zealand as part of being awarded the National Young Corriedale Ambassador at last year’s Australian Sheep & Wool Show.
Grace has maintained her stud, although she has had to keep numbers small as she has had to relocate every three to six months as part of her work commitments.
She currently has enough for a small show team, and when she settles somewhere she’d like to significantly expand the flock.
Grace did a double degree of Agricultural Science and Business at Latrobe University. She said because she wasn’t from an agricultural background she felt she needed the technical skills and opportunity to do work experience, as well as an understanding of business which was critical for her to be effective in advisory roles.
She is taking part in the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Science Graduate Program as a Lamb Industry Development Officer.
She started the two-year program in February 2015, and is quick to sing its praises.
“I think I will be involved in agriculture for a very long time; I work with some amazing people with a huge wealth of knowledge and enjoy working with farmers,” she said.
“I love learning new things and then being able to share them with farmers to help them make positive changes in their businesses.”
She said a lack of agricultural experience was not an insurmountable hurdle.
“As long as you’re committed and hard working and know what you want to achieve, an urban background won’t stop you making a valuable contribution.”
