Graduations grow
A crowded Putaruru Plaza was the venue for the first formal Waikato Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre early this month.
Family, friends, farmers, staff, sponsors and supporters celebrated the graduation of 64 students.
Taratahi’s regional development manager Annie Waterworth said the graduation ceremony for the Putarurubased students was very different from last year.
‘‘Last year we had a barbecue for each graduating group with much smaller numbers.’’
But the feeling of support was very much the same, she said.
‘‘Just like last year it’s really heart- warming to see all the students and their families come together to celebrate.’’
Westpac sponsored all of the trophies and STIHL Putaruru donated a chainsaw for the overall top student, Sophie Osborne from Ohaupo.
‘‘Sophie has proved herself a very capable, hard- working student and we’re very excited to see what the future has in store for her, she’s extremely talented,’’ Waterworth said.
Osborne said she was thrilled with her time studying the National Certificate in Farming (Work Ready) Level 3 and the Taratahi Certificate in Agricultural ( General Farm Skills), Level 3.
‘‘I’m incredibly grateful to my tutors who always went that extra mile.