Glencore scholarship student swaps classroom for cattle yards
Media statement
Hunter Valley, Australia
Hunter Valley student Sofia Kennedy has swapped the classroom for the cattle yards, completing her first off-campus placement at Landsborough Station in Nebo, Queensland.
Now in her second year of a Certificate IV in Agriculture at Tocal College, Sofia is also one of eight students awarded a Glencore Community Investment scholarship in 2025. With the help of the financial scholarship, Sofia has been able to continue her studies and take confident steps toward her future in agriculture.
Reflecting on her time at Landsborough Station, Sofia described it as an unforgettable first step into station life.
“The team at Landsborough were incredibly welcoming and I learned something new every day. From mustering on horseback to helping with backburning and cattle work, it was hands-on from the moment I arrived. It gave me a real sense of what life on a station is like in Queensland,” Sofia said.
“It was also really special to do my first placement at Landsborough Station, which is managed by Colinta Holdings, Glencore’s pastoral business. As one of the recipients of this year’s Glencore scholarship at Tocal, it felt like everything connected. The support for my study and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience came together in such a positive way.”
Lakin Agnew, Tocal College Student Welfare and Support, said Sofia’s achievements showed the impact of combining study support with industry placements.
“Placements like Sofia’s at Landsborough Station show how valuable it is for students to step into real-world environments. With the added support of a scholarship, students can focus on learning and building their confidence for the future.”
The partnership between Tocal College, Colinta Holdings and Glencore is helping to create those opportunities, with Colinta opening doors for students to build practical skills.
Glencore Community Investment Coordinator, Tracey Snedden, said Sofia’s story is an example of how these programs set young people up for success.
“We’re proud to support young people like Sofia as they take the next steps in their education. By offering both scholarships and placements, we can help create opportunities that develop the next generation of skilled agricultural professionals.”
For Sofia, the combination of study support and industry experience has not only strengthened her skills but also built her confidence for a future in agriculture.
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Smith
m: +61 497 504 420
e: Jessica Smith
Laura Reilly
m: +61 419 949 254
e: Laura Reilly
Notes for editors
About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 20 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including concentrators, smelters and refineries.
We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.
We employ 17,420 people in Australia and in 2024 contributed almost $19.6 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $13.5 billion with 6,810 businesses, as well as $3.6 billion in government tax and royalty payments.
We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.
We will support the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through our efforts to decarbonise our own operational footprint. We believe that we should take a holistic approach and have considered our commitment through the lens of our global industrial emissions. For more information see our 2024-2026 Climate Action Transition Plan.
Learn more about Glencore Australia.
About Colinta Holdings
Colinta Holdings Pty Ltd is the pastoral business of Glencore in Australia. As about 75% of Glencore’s managed land area is used for agriculture, Colinta Holdings manages more than 1.2 million hectares across Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Established in 1978, Colinta manages up to 60,000 head of cattle across extensive grazing properties and runs breeding programs that supply high-quality beef to domestic and international markets.
Colinta directly employs about 60 people across 12 stations, many drawn from local communities.