Siale Pitson awarded Bendigo Rotary Scholarship

After beginning work at the Bendigo sale yards at just 14, Siale Pitson has her sights set on a career in the agriculture industry.

Siale Pitson was one of two recipients of the Bendigo Rotary Agriculture Scholarship this year.

Growing up surrounded by cross-bred ewes and lambs at home on the family farm, a career in agriculture was always on the cards for Siale Pitson.

The 19-year-old from Bagshot, just outside Bendigo, has been working with livestock for six years already.

“I started working at the saleyards when I was 14, just doing the droving for one of the contractors,” she said.

“Then when I was close to finishing high school, I approached Elders to be part of their livestock team, and began working at their sale yards in Bendigo, before also doing some part-time work at Echuca, Kyneton, and Euroa.”

After studying Agriculture Certificate IV at Bendigo TAFE in 2023, Siale is now furthering her studies at Longerenong Agricultural College just outside of Horsham, undertaking an Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management and a Diploma of Applied Agronomy.

“Seeing the different relationships with the agricultural industry, and seeing how everyone is involved … I’m absolutely loving it at the moment,” Siale said.

As part of her studies, Siale is hoping to spend a four-week period in Western Australia in May and June to further her knowledge of livestock and broadacre farming.

Siale was one of two recipients of an agricultural scholarship from Bendigo Rotary this year, and plans to use her $2000 grant to fund her experience in WA.

“I’ve never been there and I thought I may as well give it a red hot crack now while I’ve got the opportunity, and while I’ve got nothing holding me back,” she said.

While it’s still early days for Siale to decide exactly what her career will look like, Siale’s love of livestock is holding her in good stead.

“I’d love to be full-time with Elders, probably down the livestock path because that’s what I love, but then with a view to maybe take over the family farm.”