Queensland grazier to establish youth training school
Published Tuesday, 3 July 2012 at 4:26pm
A Queensland grazier is lobbying to establish a rural training school.
A Queensland grazier's dream to establish a rural training facility is one step closer to becoming a reality after he received government support today (July 3).
Rural educator and cattle farmer Geoff Toomby has been lobbying for years to develop a training school on his property in the Townsville region.
Queensland minister for natural resources and mines Andrew Cripps showed his support for Mr Toomby's efforts to boost youth employment - and in particular indigenous jobs in Townsville - by giving his department's backing for the project.
He explained: "Mr Toomby has battled for many years with the former state government to have his lease conditions changed to allow him to formally establish a training facility for young people to prepare them for a career in the cattle industry."
Mr Toomby said over the years he had trained almost 30 indigenous youth in Queensland, launching them into cattle careers across the state, but now he was hoping to establish a formal facility.
"Since becoming minister, I have worked with the department to find a way through the obstacles put up by the former government to help make Mr Toomby's plan a reality, and at the same time improve the employment prospects for young locals, especially indigenous youth," Mr Cripps said.
The grazier has submitted an application for his training school which is the first step to obtaining a 30-year lease.
