From two calves in a Gippsland classroom to a national program reaching more than 15,000 students a year, Cows Create Careers has spent 21 years inspiring young Australians to learn where their food comes from and explore careers in dairy.
Started in 2004 by the Lions Club of Strzelecki, with early seed funding from the Gardiner Foundation, the idea was simple: bring calves into schools and build hands-on learning around caring for them. Founders John and Deanne Hutchinson saw the impact immediately, and the program expanded across Victoria and then nationally. Today, Jaydee Events coordinates the program across 23 dairying regions and 240 schools.
Students feed, weigh and care for calves while discovering the science and technology behind modern dairy farming. Teachers say the program makes learning real and shows how agriculture links to everyday life. It also highlights the breadth of career opportunities from veterinary science and engineering to environmental management and food innovation.
The program is now embedded in the Victorian curriculum and continues to evolve, including a 2024 pilot at Fulham Correctional Centre that builds practical and employable skills.
For John and Deanne, the most rewarding part is seeing former students return as teachers running the program in their own classrooms.
With support from local farmers, schools and Gardiner, Cows Create Careers has grown from a local idea into a national movement that builds knowledge, confidence and community.
Watch the Cows Create Careers story to see how a local Lions Club idea, backed by Gardiner, grew into a national movement inspiring the next generation of dairy leaders.