THEY'RE bright red, shiny and hard to miss. At least, they were when they first arrived at Burnett Youth Learning Centre (BYLC) three months ago.
Now, the two brand-new Case IH tractors have their fair share of mud on their tyres and dust in the filters as they've been preparing ground and conducting tractor training.
These gleaming pieces of machinery represent more than simply the capacity for more farm work.
They show a commitment to young people in the Bundaberg region seeking to develop further skills and change their lives.
BYLC aims to provide learning opportunities and holistic care for youth experiencing barriers to learning.
Using the facilities of the former 28.3 hectare TAFE training property Elliott Farm, just outside of Bundaberg, the centre offers young people the chance to obtain hands-on experience and work towards nationally recognised certificates.
The tractors are the result of a grant from the federal government's Trades Skills Centres Program (Round 5) for equipment only.
The centre used the money to buy a Case IH Maxxum 100 cabin tractor, as well as a Case IH Farmall JX 75 ROPS tractor, which also has a Case IH Loader fitted, made by Challenge in Orange, NSW.
Along with the two tractors, the centre bought a Kline 2.5m Speedtiller, two GPS Ag 2cm RTK guidance systems, a five-tyne ripper and several other items.
The centre has grown in recent years, with several new buildings including a new metal and wood workshop, as well as a gym.
It also features a hospitality catering kitchen, art workshop and mechanical repairs workshop.
The centre currently boasts about 40 students.
BYLC goes beyond regular training facilities in various ways.
Apart from keeping in regular contact with parents and care givers, it also provides transport to and from the farm if needed; personal safety apparel, writing materials and consumables; basic breakfast and lunch for students; and access to youth workers and counsellors.
The farming operations include a commercial cattle herd, now marketed as ready-to-purchase Beef4U, macadamia nuts and sweet potatoes.
Many local farmers and local agribusinesses have embraced the opportunity to work with the centre, through leasing ground or the donation of equipment.
The purchase of the tractors is something of a milestone for the centre, taking its production and training capacity to a new level.
BYLC centre director Barry Reynolds said from the start of the funding application to receipt and spending took 18 months.
"The application had to support training in an area of employment need in the Bundaberg region, that is rural operations," he said.
The training will be delivered to BYLC students under a co-training agreement with Rural Training Queensland.
While it may have been a lengthy process, the outcome was worth the wait, according to Barry.
"The benefit to Burnett Youth Learning Centre is that the new equipment allows us to train within a wider scope of rural areas with industry standard equipment," he said.
"Areas such as farm equipment and implements, water management and irrigation, crop establishment, maintenance and harvest, agriculture and horticulture, nursery work, farm maintenance and repair.
"Our gratitude goes to the Commonwealth government for providing the opportunity to expand our training quality," Barrysaid.
"Also the local branch of Rural Training Queensland for providing the training package and resources and also local suppliers for looking after us in the provision of equipment."
Farm manager Andrew Lawrence said the tractors had opened up new doors.
"It's just such a blessing to be able to do what needs doing when it needs to be done," he said.
When it came to selecting the equipment to suit the centre's needs McDonald Murphy Machinery, Bundaberg manager Ross Cheshire provided advice.
"Andrew first approached me several months ago regarding what they were wanting to achieve and I was able to sit down with him and work out what would be best for there operation and budget," Ross said.
The company was proud to be associated with BYLC.
"They are a great cause helping youths who need a little extra guidance in life," Ross said.
The deal has created a working relationship between McDonald Murphy and BYLC with back-up services and advice becoming an ongoing dialogue.
