Why one high level livestock leader takes time out at school

It’s back to school for one of the state’s top players in the livestock industry — and she couldn’t be happier about it.

Never work with children and animals was clearly a message that Jordan Hoban chose to ignore.

Each weekend and sometimes after work, she does exactly that in a Wodonga school where Jordan has established a cattle club and now a goat club for primary school students, to help them develop a love of animals as great as her own.

As her day job, Jordan has the huge responsibility as program manager for livestock traceability and product integrity for Agriculture Victoria.

It’s the pinnacle of her career to date, yet this quiet achiever finds time to give back to an industry that she said had given so much to her.

Jordan Hoban, St Francis of Alessia School, Baranduda, with Lucy Godbolt, 10. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

As a child growing up on a commercial cattle property, Jordan was encouraged by others, first to show cattle, then to prepare or “fit” them for showing.

While studying animal science at Charles Sturt University, her attention turned to meat judging where mentors again shaped her knowledge.

Awards litter her resume, but she won’t divulge exactly how many.

Jordan is more forthcoming on the cattle and goats that run on the St Francis of Alessia School ground near Wodonga.

The pride she takes in the growth of her charges – both human and four-legged – is clear as she explains the benefits are mutual.

“I see students who have never been near a farm animal learn and grow and are confidently washing and leading cattle,” Jordan said.

“Just because you live in a country town does not mean you have a link to the land and what’s happening with the cattle and the goat clubs allows that link to be established.”

The hectic showing program over the next few months should see a few ribbons as rewards, but back in the paddocks, something special is happening too.

“Sometimes I come in to check the cattle or goats and there could be a couple of kids in there just cuddling a goat,” Jordan said.

“If something has gone wrong or the students are upset, they are able to come down and spend time here with the animals and the teachers tell me that this time to chill out is really helpful.

“The livestock industry has been good to me and this is one way I can give back.”