Western District Dairy Youth Camp returns for 2024

More than 40 farmers of the future took part in a recent holiday camp to learn about the basics of dairy. See what they got up to.

Through the generations, many youngsters have made friends for life through fun, festivities and fireside chats at summer camps.

But there’s a twist to the usual holiday friendship tale at the Western District Dairy Youth Camp, according to organising committee member Bryan Dickson.

“The kids have such a great time at the camp that we get requests to take the calves home as pets,” he laughs. “That’s not possible but it goes to show that they have a great time over the course of the three days.”

His daughters Leah and Anna Dickson prepare the calves for the early-January event, held at the Noorat Showgrounds, a short drive north of Terang.

More than 40 young people from across Victoria and South Australia often get their first taste of life in the dairy industry through the annual training tradition.

WestVic Dairy camps participant Evelyn Baroke and farm friend Mely. Photo: Nicole Cleary

Participants range in age from 8 to 16 and learn about the basics of animal husbandry and showing cattle from some of the best in the business.

“We had a few young ones from Melbourne who had never been on a farm before and by the end of it, they had a real passion for dairy and farming generally,” Bryan says.

“We have plenty that participate that already have a farming background but it gives them an opportunity to learn about different aspects of dairy that they may not have worked with day-to-day with their mum and dad on their own farm.”

WestVic Dairy camp participant Damian McGuire with bovine buddy Spice Junior. Photo: Nicole Cleary

WestVic Dairy camp participants Domonic McGuire and Noah Pegg at Noorat Showgrounds last week. Photo: Nicole Cleary

Co-ordinated by Holstein Australia, the camp received support from a range of industry bodies including sponsors such as the DemoDAIRY Foundation, Genetics Australia and Jefo.