While the staff at RuralBiz have scraped through the COVID-19 pandemic relatively unscathed, the year hasn't been without challenges for its students.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The online agricultural training program, based in Dubbo, services a huge number of students every year, with the most recent graduating cohort set to receive their diplomas in an online setting, with one special guest.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack will be in attendance at the RuralBiz facility in Armidale, and will conference in with students from all over the country as they take the next step on their journey.
CEO Kathy Sims says the scale is a little daunting, but not at all surprising for the organisation.
"We have students from every state in Australia, even if there were no COVID right now, we still wouldn't be able to have everyone and do face to face graduations," Ms Sims said.
"We'll have both Mr McCormack and Mark Coulton in attendance in some fashion, Mr Coulton actually arranged to have the Deputy Prime Minister involved, which is very good of him, we really appreciate it and I'm sure the students will too."
The ceremony will be held in recognition of the 'incredible effort' shown this year.
"Many study with us part time, so they're running their own business or farms already and they take the time to study with us and through sheer hard work and determination, they now have the qualifications to go with it," Ms Sims said.
The event will be held on September 17 and will feature a tribute to Adam Fitzpatrick, a student who sadly passed away after completing his advanced diploma.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
