Rebecca Dickson

• During my time at Smedley (January 2024 - currently), I have learned how to operate different types of machinery and farm equipment confidently. Including tractor work, such as feeding out, mowing, disking, and using a post rammer. I can confidently operate quad bikes, side-by-sides, and I am confident being around horses and riding them. I have learned good stockmanship skills at Smedley, and I handle stock with patience and care. I have learned the correct and most up-to-date animal health practices at Smedley, and I always do them to the best of my ability. Smedley has improved my communication skills and teamwork throughout my time here. I also had the opportunity to break in a horse this year, which was a really great skill to learn.

Previously, before Smedley, I worked most weekends for two years at Big Time Racing Kennels (July 2021 - November 2023). This included the day-to-day care of greyhounds, which involved feeding and running every morning and evening, and training throughout the day, as well as taking dogs to races on race days. I learned a lot at this job, including time management, the importance of communication, and working with many different types of people.

I also spent some school holidays docking around various farms in Manawatu and worked a summer job at Auraki Station, 35 minutes out of Whanganui. Throughout the summer, I helped muster on horseback, wean lambs, dip & drench lambs, and dag/crutch ewes and lambs.