Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) alumna Dr Elle Moyle always wanted to forge a successful career in the agriculture industry, and now the dedicated veterinarian and farmer is one of the three finalists in the 2020 Zanda McDonald Award.

Dr Moyle was selected from more than 90 applicants to land a position as one of the six shortlisted candidates for the award, which aims to recognise future leaders in the Australian and New Zealand beef industry and help them to progress their careers.

All of the applicants for the award had to submit a short video, and then the six shortlisted candidates travelled to Wellington, New Zealand, to be interviewed by the award’s board members.

Dr Moyle (pictured), who works as a district veterinarian with Agriculture Victoria (the Victorian Government’s agricultural department) and runs her own sheep and cattle farm, was chosen as one of the three finalists as a result of the Wellington interview.

“The award had a record number of applications this year, so I feel lucky to have made it through,” she said.

“I am incredibly honoured to be named a finalist in this award. Zanda McDonald is an icon in the cattle industry and his work in agricultural research and generosity in developing young people had been inspiring for me,” she said.

Although the Charles Sturt alumna has been surrounded by the beef industry her entire life, having grown up on her family’s sheep and beef properties, it was during high school she set her sights on becoming a large animal vet.

“Once I heard about Charles Sturt University and the veterinary science program, there was no other university I wanted to attend,” Dr Moyle said.

“I loved my time at the University. I have great memories of living on campus and I made lifelong friendships during my five years there.

“Since uni I have enjoyed working as a vet; the job is interesting and diverse.

“I am faced with a variety of big and small problems daily and although not everything can be fixed, it’s rewarding to walk away having helped both the animals and the people involved.”

“I also love working in the Australian agriculture industry. The people I meet and work with are some of the best, most down-to-earth and resilient people.”

Since graduating in 2014, Dr Moyle has already embarked on a diverse career. Her first graduate roles were in private mixed practice veterinary clinics in rural South Australia and north Queensland.

“My studies at Charles Sturt University gave me a lot of practical experience, which helped me in those critical first six months of being in the workforce,” she said.

“It was also favourable when applying for jobs as many employers prefer the Charles Sturt University graduates.

“During my first few years, I enjoyed my time working in private clinics and learnt a lot, but ultimately I decided owning and running a private vet practice wasn’t for me.”

Dr Moyle left the private practice to take up a veterinary career with Agriculture Victoria in Hamilton in south-west Victoria.

“My current role involves working with local livestock producers and stakeholders to investigate on-farm animal disease, improve animal welfare and regulate livestock traceability,” she said.

“I also have a role in response for animal emergencies such as fires, floods or disease outbreaks.

“Within a year of starting my current role and moving home, I bought my first farm. I continue to work full-time as a vet while running 900 composite ewes and 30 Angus cows and renovating the property on weekends.

“Although the farm isn’t big, it is in a high rainfall area with good soil fertility which has provided security to run higher stocking rates on improved pastures.”

Now that Dr Moyle has found her feet in the industry and established her own farm, she has a number of goals and aspirations for where she sees the future of the industry.

She hopes the recognition and networking from the Zanda McDonald Awards will help her to achieve them.

“This award has given me the opportunity to network with some of the most influential people in the Australian and New Zealand agricultural sector and learn from the other candidates who are doing amazing things,” she said.

“I want to contribute to the industry through using my training and position to research, promote and implement ‘gold standard’ livestock health, animal welfare and on-farm biosecurity practices.

“I believe all of these issues are important for the livestock industries going forward.”

The winners of the Zanda McDonald Award will be announced in New Zealand in April 2020.