PUBLISHED March 5, 2024
Thomas Foods International is getting behind the next generation of industry leaders, partnering with Westminster School to create a world-class agricultural education facility.
The nation’s largest 100% family-owned red meat processor is supporting the new facility due to open later this year for students from Early Learning to Year 12.
Forming part of the re-development of Westminster School’s Sturt Grove Farm, the Thomas Foods Centre for Agriculture will include new multidisciplinary classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, produce processing and food tech areas, well equipped wet-labs, shearing facilities, a wash-down zone, and a community Farm Shop, which will sell produce grown at the farm, as well as Thomas Foods products.
Westminster School’s Chair of Council, Craig Need, welcomes the benefits a state-of-the art facility of this nature will provide to Westminster students.
“The investment being made in the Thomas Foods Centre for Agriculture at Westminster will provide exceptional opportunities and industry connections for students and staff when it opens for learning in August 2024,” Craig said.
TFI General Manager Tom Davies was present at the school to meet with Westminster leadership, staff and students.
“Thomas Foods International is pleased to build on its long association with Westminster,” Tom said.
“Our Managing Director Darren Thomas is a Westminster old scholar and TFI has been a proud supporter of the school for many years. We were pleased to extend our support to this amazing new education centre.
“Australia’s food industry is growing on the global stage and the next generation are coming in at a very exciting time. It’s encouraging to see such talented students looking to future careers in the agricultural and food industry. Our industry is going to need people with a variety of skills and an eye for innovation to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
“We look forward to helping prepare these students for their lives beyond school and showcasing the range of career opportunities – from livestock handling to sales and marketing as well as high-tech roles working with the latest automation and robotics.”
The partnership builds on TFI’s existing involvement in the School’s rural pathways program, which includes hosted tours of key agricultural operations across SA including TFI’s new processing facility at Murray Bridge. The Thomas Scholarship is also awarded to new secondary students.