Northern Mallee LLEN

🍊🌳 Another great day out with the Northern Mallee Horticulture Immersion Program! 🌳🍊

This week our students visited Southern Cross Farms in Nangiloc, where they put their observation skills to the test with a citrus orchard challenge.

Students worked their way through the farm to find and record:
✅ Young and mature citrus trees
✅ Irrigation components
✅ Soil and fertiliser management practices
✅ Signs of pest and disease risks
✅ Fruit at different stages of development
✅ Farm machinery and equipment
✅ Workplace safety features
✅ Steps involved in preparing fruit for harvest

The visit provided a fantastic opportunity to learn how citrus is grown and managed, while also gaining a better understanding of the many career opportunities available across the horticulture industry.

We were also thrilled to receive our brand-new hi-vis vests, proudly sponsored by Mildura Fruit Company (MFC). Thank you to MFC for helping keep our students safe and visible during their industry experiences.

A huge thank you to Southern Cross Farms for welcoming us onto the property and sharing their knowledge and expertise with our students. (And for Lunch).

🍊🌱🚜 Thank you for supporting the future of our local horticulture industry!



Photo caption:
Students proudly wearing their new MFC-sponsored hi-vis vests during their visit to Southern Cross Farms, Nangiloc. 🍊🦺🌱

🌟 Northern Mallee LLEN was proud to attend the Clontarf Employment Day at the Sporting Precinct yesterday.

It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout, with 13 local employers and organisations attending and more than 40 young men participating in what was the largest Clontarf Employment Day held to date.

The day provided valuable opportunities for students to connect with employers, explore career pathways, and engage in meaningful conversations about their future aspirations. The positive atmosphere throughout the event was a reflection of the commitment shared by our local community to support young people as they transition from education to employment.

Northern Mallee LLEN values the partnerships that make events like this possible and appreciates the ongoing commitment of employers who continue to invest in the next generation.

💙 Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities. 💙

As part of Foster Care Week 2026, Mallee Accommodation and Support Program MASP is inviting our community to come together for an inspiring evening of conversation, connection and advocacy.

Friday 18 September for a special panel discussion exploring the life-changing impact of foster care and the important role communities play in supporting children and young people to thrive.

🎤 Hear from an outstanding panel including:
• Josh Jenkins, former AFL footballer who grew up in foster care in Swan Hill
• Jade Benham MP, Member for Mildura and Victorian Shadow Minister for Disability, Ageing, Carers and Volunteers
• Sheree Gee, Manager - Kinship and Foster Care, Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
• A local former foster carer sharing their lived experience

Together, they'll share personal stories, insights and perspectives on this year's Foster Care Week theme: Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities.

📅 Friday 18 September 2026
🕠 From 5.30pm
📍 Imperial Football Netball Club, Sarah Oval, Mildura

Following the panel discussion, guests are invited to stay for networking and light refreshments and connect with community leaders, service providers, foster care advocates and others passionate about supporting children and families.

This event is part of MASP's Fostering Friday celebrations, which will also include a free family-friendly community event from 2.00pm to 4.30pm at Sarah Oval.

🎟️ Book your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gkypDwNE

🐾 Do you love animals and want to turn your passion into a career?

Expressions of Interest are now open for the Certificate II in Animal Care, available to students in 2027. This exciting VET pathway provides students with the opportunity to develop practical skills in animal handling, animal health, hygiene, nutrition and welfare while exploring careers in the animal care industry.

Throughout the program, students will gain hands-on experience caring for a range of animals, learn basic animal first aid, explore animal behaviour and wellbeing, and build the skills needed for further study or employment in the industry. The course also provides a strong pathway towards veterinary nursing and other animal care qualifications.

📅 Expressions of Interest close 1 September 2026
To learn more and access the course guide, visit the Northern Mallee LLEN website.

www.nmllen.com.au

At Northern Mallee LLEN, we're committed to supporting young people to explore career pathways and build connections between education, training and employment.

🌏 Love travel, tourism and meeting new people?

Expressions of Interest are now open for the SIT20322 Certificate II in Tourism, commencing in 2027. This exciting two-year VET program gives students the opportunity to develop practical skills in tourism, hospitality, customer service and communication while gaining valuable hands-on industry experience.

Students will explore pathways into tourism, travel, visitor services, hospitality and related industries, with opportunities to participate in live restaurant service, industry visits and guest speaker sessions.

📅 Expressions of Interest close 1 September 2026
To learn more and access the course guide, visit the NMLLEN website.

www.nmllen.com.au

At Northern Mallee LLEN, we're committed to supporting young people to explore career pathways and build connections between education, training and employment.

🚀 What a week for Northern Mallee LLEN!

This week was all about helping young people explore pathways, connect with industry and build their understanding of future career opportunities.

✅ Three industry visits with Indie School students: 🍊 SuniTAFE, Sunraysia Institute Of TAFE🧃 Mildura Furit Juices Australia (MFJA) 🌻 Sunbeam Foods

✅ Delivered six Year 8 VIC VICE sessions with St Joseph's College, supporting students to explore career pathways and develop their understanding of future opportunities.

✅ Attended the SuniTAFE, Sunraysia Institute Of TAFE Open Day, connecting with students, educators and industry representatives while showcasing the many training options available across our region.

✅ Went head-to-head with students from the NMHI Program in the SuniTAFE, Sunraysia Institute Of TAFE Smart Farm Digital Orienteering Challenge. There was plenty of learning, teamwork and friendly competition involved!

We are proud to work alongside schools, training providers and industry partners to strengthen pathways for young people across the Northern Mallee.

A busy week, but a rewarding one.

Come see us at the SuniTAFE, Sunraysia Institute Of TAFE open day!

VIC VICE & Victorian LLENs

📢 Only 21 Days Left to Submit Your Expression of Interest for the 2027 VDSS Program!

Students interested in participating in the 2027 Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VDSS) Program are encouraged to start planning now, with Expressions of Interest closing in just 21 days.

The VDSS program provides valuable opportunities for students to gain practical skills, explore career pathways, and build connections between education, training and future employment.

📖 View the 2027 VDSS Course Guide:https://nmllen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2027-VDSS-Course-Guide-NM-VET-Cluster-1.pdf

✅ To submit an EOI, students must speak with their school's VET Coordinator. Your VET Coordinator will guide you through the application process and submit your Expression of Interest.

⏰ EOIs close in 21 days. Don't miss out!

nmllen.com.au

🌱 NMHI Program - Day 3 🌱
Our students enjoyed another fantastic day of learning as part of the Northern Mallee Horticulture Immersion Program!

The day began with a visit from SuniTAFE, Sunraysia Institute Of TAFE, where students learned about VET courses, training opportunities, and the many pathways available after school. It was a great opportunity to explore how TAFE can support students in building skills, gaining qualifications, and achieving their future career goals.

Students then headed to Agromillora Australia to learn more about nursery production and plant health. They observed grafted nursery trees, identified the scion and rootstock, and discovered how grafting helps improve tree strength, growth, and fruit production.
Students also:

✅Watched a grafting demonstration
✅ Used EC meters to test nutrient levels in plant samples
✅ Compared healthy and nutrient-deficient plants
✅ Learned how plant nutrition influences growth and crop performance

A big thank you to SuniTAFE, Sunraysia Institute Of TAFE and Agromillora Australia for providing such valuable learning experiences and helping our students connect classroom learning with real industry opportunities.

Chaffey Secondary College
Merbein P-10 College
Mildura Specialist School

🌿