The Graduation of Australian Racing and Equine Academy

 

수업 마지막날 Australian Racing and Equine Academy

 

오늘은 마지막으로 Richmond TAFE에서 수업을 하고 과정을 마무리하였다.

사실 수업이라기 보다는 주어진 Unit에 대해 자습을 하고 Mentor인 Luke Millington에게 평가를 받는 과정이었다.

Steward Certificate 4에 필요한 필수Unit과 선택 Unit을 모두 수료하였다.

내 과정이 이곳 학교에서도 처음이었고, 영어가 네이티브가 아닌 외국학생도 처음이어서 교육자나 피교육자 모두 어려운 과정이었다.

하지만 무사히 과정을 끝낼 수 있어서 참 기분이 좋았고 그동안 도와준 학교 관계자들에게도 감사드린다.

 

아래글은 Phillip이 나에게 인터뷰하여 다음 달 Racing NSW Magazine에 기사로 실릴 내용이다.

내가 이곳에 왔을 당시에도 기사가 나갔는데 졸업하고 나서도 기사를 실어준다고 한다. 나로서는 영광이다.

이 블로그도 호주연수를 내용으로 하는 글은 이게 마지막일듯 싶다.

한국에 돌아가 경마와 Steward에 관련된 블로그를 다시 시작하고 싶다.

 

Eric Lee (Young Yoo Lee) has become the first International student to graduate from the Australian Racing and Equine Academy’s Stewards program.

The Korean native last month completed a 12-month stint in Australia under the ‘AREA’ training program, achieving a Certificate IV Steward Qualification.

Lee is potentially the first of many Internationals to undertake the program.

“I am honoured to be the first International student to graduate with the Certificate 4 Stewards Qualification,” Lee declared.

“I enjoyed my time in Australia and I am looking forward to utilizing my new skills with the Korean Racing Authority.”

The qualification was delivered to Lee in partnership between the Racing NSW Stewards Department and the ‘AREA’ team.

Heading the training delivered by Racing Stewards was Marc Van Gestel who, along with other Stewards, made Lee ‘feel right at home’.

“Eric impressed us from the start of his training with his willingness to learn,” Van Gestel said.

Face-to-face delivery for Lee was managed by Cadet and Stipendiary Stewards Program Co-ordinator Luke Millington, who is a former Steward in his own right.

Classroom delivery was rolled out at the Academy’s Canterbury Park classroom and, at its head office at Richmond College.

Work experienced also proved to be invaluable and Lee received on-the-job training from the Racing NSW Stewards at a lot of race meetings and early morning trackwork.

“The training course was extremely successful, even more so given that it was a pilot program,” Millington said.

Lee was enrolled in the course by the Korean Racing Authority, aimed to enhance the Korean horse racing industry.

With no such educational programs available in Korea, Lee was introduced and recommended to study under the Australian Racing and Equine Academy.

“In several years Korea plans to host International racing. I’m sure if the Korean Racing Authority thinks that my training program is a success they could send more cadets and current stewards to Australia to benefit from the training,” Lee said.

Millington is confident that other International students will follow suit.

“I am confident to say that other potential International Stewards will undertake this course offered by AREA to take advantage of the training offered by the partnership in junction with our expert panel of Stewards who are held in such high regard worldwide and to utilise our first class resources and training program,” Millington said.

“I thank Ray Murrihy, Greg Rudolph and in particular, Marc Van Gestel for their efforts in welcoming Eric onto the Metropolitan Stewards Panel and for the time and effort invested in developing and enhancing Eric's knowledge and practical skills.”

Lee, who is also a University Veterinarian graduate, was supported during his Australia visit by his wife, Dong Hwa Shin and infant son Sang Won Lee. Lee also feels very happy for having 2nd baby in Australia. "Another baby made in Australia will come out in November."