Chamber Projects

Ag Machinery Operator Training Course – May 2024

Overview

• Delivered in Ingham over four days from Monday May 27th to Thursday May 30th, 2024
• This course was achieved through a collaboration between industry stakeholders, including:
  • Mary Brown – Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc – Project Manager
  • Lawrence Di Bella – Tropical Agricultural Services/QCAR – Industry Expertise/ Project Technical Co-ordination/ Equipment Hire
  • Scott Robinson – Agforce Training PL – Registered Training Organisation/ Trainer/ Assessor
  • Mo Pederson – Agforce Training PL – Trainer
  • Robbie Lyon – Trainer/ Industry Expertise

Summary of Activity

Four days full time theoretical and practical training including the below skill deliveries:

• Tractor Driving
• Operation of Cane Haul Out Vehicle
• Undertake Operational Maintenance of Machinery
• Safe Work near Live Powerlines
• Cane Haul Out Operations on a Cane Siding
• Fire Awareness in Sugar Cane Harvest
• WH & S Requirements

Schedule of Activities

May 27 – Subjects Covered:

• Complete project paperwork
• Welcome to the Industry
• Introduction to the Australian Sugarcane Industry
• Meeting Workplace Occupational Health and Safety
• Mechanical Association introductory video
• Presentation by Police concerning legal requirements to work in the industry
• Generic siding induction – Wilmar
• Mandatory drug and alcohol testing
• Powerline Awareness
• Fire Awareness
• Familiarisation of tractors, haul outs, harvesters and pre-starts
• Daily wrap up and complete training assessments

May 28 – Students broken up into 2 groups

• Familiarisation of the tractor and haul out units and its components
• Operating a tractor (participants must drive a small tractor and trailer combination, progressing to a haul out)
• Familiarisation and operation of a tractor and haul out unit
• Daily wrap up and complete training assessments

May 29 – Review and Reinforcement of previous day

• Operating a haul out unit
• Operating a haul out unit (managing difficult terrain)
• Operating a haul out unit (working on the siding)
• Visiting a harvesting business with a John Deere Harvester
• Visiting a harvesting business with a Case Harvester
• At these visits, business owners discuss the company needs and requirements, view firsthand different machines used in the industry

May 30 – Review and Reinforcement of previous day – Managing biosecurity and harvesting losses

• The importance of biosecurity
• Managing harvesting losses
• Getting hands dirty – Operating a haul out unit (working on the siding)
• Time to show what you learnt!
• On the final day, sponsors, industry participants and employers were invited to a lunch with the candidates. This very well attended lunch provided an opportunity for candidates to be introduced to cane harvester operators and industry representatives, to acknowledge completion of the training course and to facilitate introductions to potential employers.

Summary of Key Outcomes of Course Deliverables

• 11 Candidates were offered positions on the course, following a candidate interview process undertaken by an industry panel
• 55% of candidates were under 35 years of age
• 55% of candidates relocated to the Hinchinbrook Shire for the training and were offered employment locally
• 11% of candidates had never worked in the sugar cane industry, and had transitioned from other industries

Summary of Employment Placements

• Employment in Harvesting/ Planting/ Farmwork Sector – 8 Candidates (72.73%)
• Employment in Support industries to Sugar Cane – 2 Candidates (18%)
• Employment in other local employment – 1 Candidate (9%)

Quotes from Participants

*After being in their roles for approximately 6 weeks*

Isaac – “I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity that this training has given me and the other guys. The best part of the job is actually going to work. I’ve met people with experience and they have taught me so much more about the industry and developing my skills.”

Demi – ” Things are going great. I am working for two contractors casually. The course was great and definitely gave me the basics to start, then build on that as I am working.”

Deb – “Secured season contract as second driver. So much of what you taught and shared experiences has helped me in my job and I wanted to say “thank you” again for your teachings.”

Who Was Involved?

• Windlab (Gawara Baya)
• Powerlink Queensland
• JK’s Delicatessen
• Back to Work Program
• Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc
• QCAR
• Agforce Training Pty Ltd
• Wilmar Sugar
• Herbert River Cane Productivity Services
• Sugar Research Australia
• Herbert River Canegrowers
• QITE
• Busy at Work

Markets at the Mosaic

For a number of years now, Chamber had identified a potential opportunity to grow the small business community, through support of emerging micro-businesses. It was with this strategy in mind, that Chamber embarked upon the management of Markets at the Mosaic, after being approached by a couple of artesian entrepreneurs who were keen to establish a “home-made, designed and grown” market opportunity locally, and believed Mercer Lane was the ideal central location.

With the collaboration of other like-minded home-based creatives, in a very short period of time Markets at the Mosaic was created, and so began the journey of supporting local entrepreneurs.

While 2024 saw a slower start for Markets at the Mosaic, the introduction of a dedicated market co-ordinator and marketing manager, has seen exponential growth in both stall holders and visitation to the CBD on the third Saturday of each month, when the markets are held. Increasing marketing promotion through social media sites, radio marketing, collaboration with Townsville Enterprise Limited to expand into tourism markets and inclusion into print media, through the launch of Hinchinbrook Life has seen outstanding results.

As 2024 draws to a close, demand from stall holders is now exceeding available space, however Chamber plans to explore options for expansion in 2025 to accommodate this growth and introduce a greater variety of products. The final Markets at the Mosaic for 2024 was held in conjunction with the Late-Night Shopping event held on Thursday 19 December 2024.

Markets at the Mosaic will commence again in 2025 in April and will remain every third Saturday of the month for the duration of 2025.

What: Markets at the Mosaic
When: Third Saturday of every month
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Mercers Lane, beside JK’s Deli

For more information, or if you’d like to have a stall at our Markets at the Mosaic in 2025, just send us an email at admin@hinchinbrookchamber.com.au

Regional Development Australia Townsville & North West Queensland – Jobs North Queensland

Through our valued partnerships with leading organisations including Townsville Enterprise Limited, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, Government Bodies and Regional Development Australia Townsville & North West Queensland, we have been given the opportunity to collaborate on a state-wide employment campaign.

Jobs North Queensland, Regional Development Australia, and Live North Queensland offer simultaneously connected online portals, that allow business owners the chance to advertise their employment opportunities online at no cost. Likewise, it offers job seekers up-to-date local job availabilities, allowing resumes to be uploaded, and connections to be formed with potential employers.

Jobs North Queensland: www.jobsnorthqueensland.com.au
Regional Development Australia Townsville & North West Queensland: https://www.rdanwq.org.au
Live North Queensland: https://www.livetownsvillenorthqueensland.com.au

To register your Employment Opportunity for FREE on Jobs North Queensland!:

Alternatively, jobs can also be uploaded under “Employer Dashboard”.