Boarding 

It was a pleasure to host our final Boarding House Formal Dinner for 2022 this week. In our 150th year, the dinner theme was connecting to our Old Collegians with the context of the Western District agriculture industry. Three impressive Old Collegians attended our dinner and presented their life-story from College to the present day.

Sam Winter Cooke is a local farmer and operations manager at the Murndal Pastoral, Tahara. Sam spoke of his time at University in Adelaide and the passion he has for an outside office! Sam encouraged boarders to be innovative in their practice, to try different approaches to their fields, and most of all, be a problem-solver when it comes to entering the agriculture sector.

James Pike also graduated Year 12 in 2011 and completed a Bachelor of Commerce at University in Adelaide. James stressed the importance of hard work whilst at school and that your attitude in having a go will set you apart from others. James’ story was an eye-opening experience for the boarders as he discussed the plethora of opportunities in the agricultural industry; from viticulture, goat farming, aquaculture, and hemp farming practices. He highlighted the future for the Australian industry, in particular the medical industry being supported by agriculture. As a livestock and real estate agent, James also gave the important advice to all boarders that they must be focused upon having good communication skills and social intelligence to survive in the real world.

Lachie Holcombe graduated in 2018 and is now a livestock agent with JM Ellis and Co, working alongside James Pike.  Lachie spoke of the importance of persevering through the tough times and to understand life is not always going to be smooth sailing. 

If you would like to listen to the podcast recording of the Term 4 Formal Dinner, or any of the Formal Dinner’s please go to: https://open.spotify.com/show/4URb9WBpakcDxxvFk7yQcR?si=2fe06ce2b35a4074

ANDREW MONK

Director of Boarding