Carl Chirgwin is presented with his award by NSWAAT treasurer and retired ag teacher Graham Quintal. Photo: Supplied.
Murrumbidgee Regional High School (MRHS) educator Carl Chirgwin has received the prestigious JA Sutherland award, which honours those who show outstanding dedication to the field of agricultural teaching.
The 43-year-old accepted the honour on behalf of membership body the NSW Association of Agricultural Teachers (NSWAAT), after being nominated by former recipients Graeme Harris, a retired teacher, and Robyn O’Leary, who continues working at Finley High School.
“Carl is the most enthusiastic and persuasive individual who always fights for agricultural education, and he provides powerful advocacy for students, teachers and schools,” their nomination stated.
“This is reflected in his interactions with all teachers, answering questions, sharing resources and seeking answers.
“In his school community, he ensures that every student he teaches is known and cared for and receives learning tasks that enable them to access the content or practical skills being learnt. In particular, his determination to assist students who have poor literacy and numeracy due to their cultural background is outstanding, particularly with students of Pacific Islander heritage.”
Mr Chirgwin grew up in Coleambally, launched his career in Broken Hill and has spent the past two decades teaching the subjects agriculture and primary industries in Griffith. He says he has a simple pitch to Year Seven students who are deciding whether to study farming.
“I was once asked at a conference, ‘Would you rather be naked and hungry or well fed and full as a bull?’. Without agriculture, you can’t be fed or clothed. That’s how important the industry is; that’s what I now tell students,” he said.
Carl with celebrity gardener Costa Georgiadis when he visited Griffith. Photo: Facebook.
He said he was immensely proud to accept a gong named after a pioneer in his field.
“JA Sutherland wrote the book called Introduction to Agriculture, which is like the Bible for our profession,” he said.
“I’d like to thank all my colleagues at MRHS and the students who give me the inspiration to come to school every day.”
Mr Chirgwin is the Riverina representative of the NSWAAT, a body for which he has previously held executive roles such as president, secretary and treasurer.
He says this organisation is incredibly important for his profession.
“Most ag teachers in a school are on their own. Unlike say English teachers, we don’t have others to bounce ideas off. The NSWAAT gives us a network. I don’t mind getting calls in the morning to share my thoughts with another teacher.
“I really want to get more teachers into our profession. I pay their membership for our NSW association, that gets them into a network of support and a Google drive of resources, which gives them tools to help them in education.
“It’s not just an electronic network; it’s a physical one. We have a national conference where you get to meet others and make connections.”
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