At the heart of farming communities is a shared responsibility: keeping ourselves, our families, and our workplaces safe. That’s why events like Clued Up Kids are so valuable.
Hosted by the Waitaki District Council at the Rec Centre in Oamaru, this annual programme brings together a wide range of community groups, each delivering interactive workshops to local primary school children. The focus is simple but powerful — teaching kids about safety in different areas of their lives, whether that’s on the road, in the water, at home, or on the farm.
For the past four years, Five Forks Young Farmers has proudly delivered the farm bike safety module at the event. With the generous support of Oamaru Honda, who supply two brand-new bikes and helmets each year, we’ve been able to give students a hands-on learning experience.
Year 6 students from across the region get the chance to sit on a quad bike and a small two-wheeler. For many, it’s their first real encounter with machines of this size, and it doesn’t take long for the penny to drop — these are big, powerful vehicles. They’re exciting, but also dangerous when not used properly. That moment of realisation is exactly why this workshop matters.
"Being invited back each year is something our club doesn’t take for granted. In fact, our involvement grew out of one of our past members, who passed the opportunity on through her workplace. Since then, it’s become a highlight for us" says Five Forks Young Farmers past Chair Renata Burnett.
"Not only do we get to share vital safety messages, but our members also get a chance to step off the farm and connect with curious, enthusiastic kids. Their questions, often surprisingly insightful, remind us why farm safety isn’t just a box to tick. It’s a mindset, a culture, and a responsibility we carry every day".
A huge thank you to Tyla Bishop, Trudy McLeod, and Renata Burnett for volunteering their time to run the two-day module this year. And of course, thank you to Oamaru Honda for supplying the bikes that make this experience possible.
Clued Up Kids continues to show how powerful community-led education can be. By giving young people the chance to learn in a fun and interactive way, we’re helping to plant the seeds of safer habits that will carry through into the future of farming.
If you want to see more of what Five Forks Young Farmers is up to, check them out on Facebook or Instagram.