Senior Farm Hand - Dairy Heifer Block

Candidates without full long term Australian working rights will not be considered for this role, including those on working holiday visas.

Aurora Dairies is committed to a long-term investment in the Australian Dairy Industry and operates a portfolio of 56 dairy farms, 49 across south-eastern Australia, as well as 7 dairy farms in New Zealand.

Aurora relies on local expertise to operate and improve the productivity of its dairy farms by employing and developing great people, investing in technology, farm development strategies, and supporting infrastructure. Aurora’s operating culture prioritises the health and safety of its employees - inclusive of a strong work-life balance, animal welfare and seeks to positively contribute to the environment and communities in which Aurora operates.

Aurora Dairies has a long-term lease on an 1,100-hectare property in Victoria Point, 30km from Hamilton in the southern Grampians. We are hiring a Senior Farm Hand to assist with the day-to-day tasks around the farm to ensure successful weight gain targets on the dairy heifers, whilst ensuring pasture utilisation is optimised and the property is soundly maintained. 

This is a part time role for 3x eight hour days per week (48 hours per fortnight) with the requirement to work every second weekend (some flexibility available where required).

Your role will be assisting with overseeing the 1,600 dairy heifers on a day-to-day basis, including water checks, stock movement, weighing, husbandry, fence maintenance, feeding out and general farm-related duties. Safety will be at the forefront of everything you do.

Reporting to the Farm Manager, you will:

• Ensure safe operations across the property through our Safety Management System and company policies
• Exhibit sound and accurate judgement to ensure the highest standards of animal health and welfare
• Complete a variety of tasks including stock handling, feeding out hay, fencing – you will need to be an experienced tractor driver
• Be a reliable, self starter with the ability to prioritize and use initiative as you will be working alone some days
• Implement stock rotations and contribute to plans for future feed budgets
• Feed management to support achievement of target liveweight gains
• Monitor and maintain water and fencing
• Maintain accurate stock, treatment, and feeding records
• Operate and maintain plant and equipment.

What Aurora Dairies can offer you

This is an excellent career opportunity offering:

• A part time contract, with the requirement to work every second weekend (some flexibility available where required)
• Being part of a large scale dairy business that values all of its people, animals and the environment
• Close proximity to the Southern Grampians and local outdoor activities (sporting clubs, fishing, Dunkeld races, rock climbing, canoeing, etc)
• Working in a beautiful part of country Victoria
• Support to pursue training and education opportunities
• A negotiable remuneration package (based on level of relevant skills and experience)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program for you and your family
• Other Employee Wellbeing initiatives.

You will be an energetic, and self-motivated individual who is keen to get stuck in and get the job done. You can work well on your own but equally works in very well amongst a team.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience working with dairy youngstock or experience in a large-scale livestock operation
• Demonstrated experience in the management and handling of livestock
• Demonstrated ability to lead and direct peers and work as a valuable team member
• Side by Side and tractor operation skills
• Initiative to complete operational tasks that contribute to the team
• Ability to support and implement safe work procedures
• Willingness to learn new systems of work.

What makes Aurora Dairies unique?

• A true safety focus across the entire company. Safety first, what’s the rush. Aurora Dairies was the WorkSafe Victoria 2021 winner of the Commitment to Workplace Health and Safety on a Farm Award.
• A strong focus on fatigue management and work hours. We pride ourselves on work-life balance.
• Opportunities to grow your career both on the farm or with broader horizons through professional development and other training opportunities. Learning and development of our people is a strong focus at all levels of the organisation.
• An organisation that has made commitments to sustainability and is putting that into action.
• Being part of an organisation of which integrity, trust and collaboration are their core values.

If you have a passion for dairy and/or agriculture and are looking for your next step in a progressive dairy company, please submit your updated resume and cover letter. For further information, please contact us at [email protected] or you can contact Mick Platt (Farm Manager) on 0475 038 376.

Please note, we may only make contact with you if your profile is suitable to the requirements of this position. Candidates without Australian working rights will not be considered for this role.