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Duncan Brown
With more than 25 years working in fruit production management, GOTAFE welcomes Duncan Brown to their horticulture division at the William Orr Campus, Shepparton.
Duncan joins GOTAFE as the new Horticulture Trainer and says he looking forward to his new role.
“I have worked as everything from a farm hand to a farm manager, but this position will be a completely new challenge for me,” he said.
“I have worked in the Goulburn Valley region in fruit production management so I know the industry well and understand the challenges farmers face.
“I also remember what it was like starting out in the industry as an eager teenager, this knowledge will be invaluable in my role as an educational trainer.”
Most recently Duncan was an Orchard Manager on a 200 hectare property in Cobram with responsibilities ranging from planting to picking, as well as engagement with industry groups.
Duncan has had a continuous 32 year career in both fruit and vegetable production from the Garden of England in Kent, through vegetable growing in Sri Lanka and continues working today in Australia.
GOTAFE are offering Traineeships in Production Horticulture as a work placed based traineeship which can lead into a number of exciting careers within the Production Horticulture Industry.
The horticultural manufacturing industry is Victoria’s fourth largest food sector, with a gross of $1.8 billion per annum and Duncan says it is little wonder there has been strong demand and growth in the industry from an education perspective.
“Production Horticulture is essentially growing things, but the roles and career pathways can very diverse,” Duncan said.
“You might work in the field; picking, pruning and undertaking pest control, but you could oversee packing operations or even run your own business.
“The industry employs 43,000 full-time workers, people in the industry are always in demand.
“The best thing about Production Horticulture is that at the end of the day you can actually see what you have done and it is really rewarding.
