New Zealand alumni reunion dinner

Posted 16 October 2012

"About 30 students from the graduating class of 2010/11 have taken time to work and travel in Australia and New Zealand. This is a continuing trend, with graduates seeing the career opportunities and experience young people can gain, which is highly valued by employers both abroad and when they return back to the UK."

The Harper Adams Club New Zealand reunion on Saturday, October 13

Following successful events in Yorkshire, Cornwall, Ireland and Wales, the latest Harper Adams Club alumni reunion take place a little further afield – in New Zealand!

The Narrows Landing Hotel in Hamilton, North Island, played host to 27 former Harper Adams University College students and their guests on Saturday evening. Guests represented every decade from the 1950s up to current placement student Joe Williams.

Joe, 20, is in the third year of a BSc Agriculture degree at Harper Adams and is completing his year in industry at a sheep and beef farm in Tarata, in the Taranaki region of North Island. Joe, who was raised on a mixed farm in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, will return to the UK in September 2013.

Meanwhile, the oldest alumnus at the event was John McBride, originally from Northern Ireland. John said: “I was reared in Bangor and Belfast in Northern Ireland, attended Harper and the National Institute of Poultry Husbandry from 1959 to 61, and subsequently worked in the poultry industry in Northern Ireland and the UK until the Common Market drove many companies to the wall.

“I travelled to New Zealand in 1973 with my wife Elizabeth, from Portrush, Northern Ireland and three young boys, to a job with General Foods Poultry, now Tegel Foods Ltd, in New Plymouth. I am now semi-retired, but still do consultancy work for the poultry and pig industries.”

The dinner was hosted by Ros Barsley (HND Ag 1970) and Richard Barsley (HND Ag 1971-74) who were travelling in the area. Ros is a former alumni association president and works closely with the Harper Adams University College Development Trust. Ros said: “It was a very successful and enjoyable evening which might become an annual event.”

New Zealand and Australia are the most popular destinations for alumni wishing to live abroad. Harper Adams has more than 50 former students living and working in New Zealand. Several students go there on placement each year and many travel to Australasia upon graduation.

Maria Simpson, Careers Service Manager, said: “About 30 students from the graduating class of 2010/11 have taken time to work and travel in Australia and New Zealand. This is a continuing trend, with graduates seeing the career opportunities and experience young people can gain, which is highly valued by employers both abroad and when they return back to the UK.

“Harper Adams University College has hosted companies including Landpower Australia and Landpower Zealand, promoting the opportunities for graduates who wish to gain experience working abroad. Graduating students have gained experience in veterinary nursing, agriculture, animal management, machinery management, food and hospitality and land management, during time spent in Australia and New Zealand. Employers use the Harper Adams University College careers website to advertise and promote opportunities as well as attending careers and placement employer presentations whilst on visits to the UK.”

In the group photo (Larger in slideshow view below):

John McBride (ND Poultry 1959-61)

Ian Brown (ND Agriculture 1960-62)

Martin Hawke (NDA 1963-65)

Mrs Sue Clarke (NDP 1966-68)

Charlotte Short (HND Agriculture 1980-83)

Rob Edwards (HND Agriculture 1985-88)

Jacalyn Reynolds (BSc Agriculture 1985-89)

Chris Nottingham (BSc Agriculture 1987-91)

Jo Howes (BSc Rural Enterprise & Land Management 1992-96)

Emma Passey (BSc Rural Enterprise & Land Management 1992-96)

Rona Rorison (BSc Rural Enterprise & Land Management 1992-96)