The Upper Hunter resident completed two Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, hospitality and primary industries, and was delighted to receive an Australian Vocational Student Prize.

“I was surprised because I didn’t know I’d been nominated for it,” she told the Hunter Valley News.

“It encouraged me to follow the more agricultural path.”

There were 2000 Australian Vocational Student Prizes awarded nation-wide for 2013 but only two in the entire Hunter region.

Miss Carter said while vocational course had small enrolments they still counted toward the Higher School Certificate and, upon completion, students were awarded a Certificate II.

The former St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen student graduated last year and has nothing but praise for her teachers.

“I’d like to thank Joey’s; they were a fantastic school to go to especially with agriculture, and my teachers Lisa Bright, Charles Mill and Kristy Wadwell,” she said.

“There is a big agriculture section; they’ve got heaps of kids interested.”

Miss Carter is the eighth generation on her family’s property.

She said it was a difficult industry in general, but even more so for women.

“There are not many women in the industry and farmers don’t really make the profit others do,” she said.

“It’s a hard industry to be in and there’s a lot of competition especially at the moment, because of the climate and drought we’re all struggling.

“For myself, it’s more than my profession; I’m very passionate about it and I can see me doing it for the rest of my life.”

Miss Carter’s positive experience with vocational education is the reason she wishes to urge others to have a go.

“I encourage people to do the VET courses; it gives a break from the serious study,” she said.

“At least try a Vet course – there are heaps to choose from.

“Primary industries is second nature [for me], and hospitality became a passion – that was just something I tried and loved.”

Miss Carter aspires to one day be a stock and station agent.