Dairying has given Tyson Gilbert a chance to turn his life around.
Tyson Gilbert wants to be an inspiration for other people.
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He is on parole and recently passed his first six months working full time on a dairy farm in Gippsland, Victoria.
“I wasted my 20s in prison. I’m now in my 30s and I want to make the most of opportunities,” Tyson told Dairy News Australia.
To help him achieve that goal, he is supported by several Gippsland dairy farmers.
Tyson began learning about the dairy industry when he was selected to participate in the Nalu program at Fulham Correctional Centre, near Sale, in Victoria. Nalu is the minimum-security part of Fulham Correctional Centre.
“You have to be on very good behaviour to be accepted into Nalu,” Tyson said.
That acceptance opened up an opportunity for Tyson to join Fulham’s dairy education program, delivered by an arrangement between GippsDairy and Jaydee Events and funded by Gardiner Dairy Foundation.
Garry Cook and Colleen Laws have stepped outside their comfort zone supporting prisoners in Fulham’s dairy education program.
Photo by
Jeanette Severs
Fulham’s dairy education program is based on the school-based Cows Create Careers program, with the addition of some Dairy Australia practical courses including cups on cups off, identifying mastitis and nutrition fundamentals.
Tyson was one of six inmates selected to rear three calves, over a three-week period, and participated in classroom and on-farm learning activities.
“I enjoyed learning about dairy farming and looking after the calves, they’re so small and cute,” Tyson said.
“I put my hand up for the dairy education course. I’ve always liked animals, and I liked the idea of working with animals.
“I’d been doing so well at Fulham, keeping out of trouble.”
At the time he started the dairy education course, in 2024, Tyson had spent seven years in and out of the prison system, including maximum security prisons.
He had also tried to participate in other courses, but said his ADHD made it difficult to be in classroom-based education. Being moved between prisons also affected his education.
“I found it hard at school and left in year nine,” Tyson said.
“After an hour or two in the classroom, I find it hard to cope. It’s easier to do practical learning.
“I tried to learn a horticulture course, but got moved from that prison, and it wasn’t offered where I went next.
“I got 80 per cent through a Certificate III in Baking; then I got moved from that prison, and again it wasn’t offered where I went next.”
When he undertook the practical day of the cups on cups off course at the farm of Colleen Laws and Garry Cook, Tyson impressed Colleen; and she offered him an ongoing opportunity to work on the farm for one day every two months – in a supervised day-release situation.
“There was something about Tyson that appealed to me,” Colleen told Dairy News Australia.
Colleen and Garry manage a dairy farm in the Macalister Irrigation District, that they lease in partnership with Benn and Peta Thexton.
They milk 500 cows in a 44-unit rotary dairy, with automatic cups on and cups off technology.
Colleen began her involvement in Fulham’s dairy education program by offering to host day-release prisoners so they could learn about working on a dairy farm, working alongside herself.
“When Tyson completed the practical day, when we had six prisoners on the farm, I admit I was anxious leading up to that day,” Colleen said.
“But the moment they arrived, that anxiety went. It was a pretty relaxed day.
“They were easy to talk to and they were there because they wanted to better their life.
“Having them on the farm for the day, and working in the rotary dairy, inspired me to be more involved.
“There was one guy, in particular, that I thought we could make a change in his life. After discussions with the management of Fulham Prison, we decided to sponsor Tyson.”
What followed was nearly a year of supervised day-release – with Tyson working on the farm one day every two months – and regular monthly phone conversations between Tyson and Colleen and Garry.
“It took a bit to get to the point where we got Tyson out every second month, but he put in the hard work for good behaviour and got permission,” Colleen said.
The dairy education program at Fulham includes classroom and practical learning. Tyson said his ADHD affected how he learned in classroom activities.
“He had no farming experience at all, but the first time he milked, he did the whole herd on his own. He did a really good job.
“Each time he came out to the farm on day-release, he’d help feed grain to calves and hay to cows, he’d set up fences and move cows around, and he’d milk cows.
“Over time he clearly articulated he’d like to work here when he’s released.”
Colleen and Garry initiated a discussion with Fulham’s prison management and Tyson about what parole looked like and how they could support his release with ongoing work.
“We talked about transition to work and Tyson was fully aware he didn’t have a good work history,” Colleen said.
There were other complexities.
Tyson had to have secure accommodation, which was difficult without a tenancy history. Colleen and Garry were unable to offer him accommodation on the farm, and the terms of Tyson’s release dictated his accommodation had to be separate to his workplace.
He also lacked a car license, and needed to rely on public transport and Colleen’s generosity to travel to and from work.
Prisoners on parole also have a curfew, and this meant Tyson couldn’t start work before 6am.
Fortunately, all the hurdles were overcome. Corrections Victoria owns some rental properties and one of those was offered to Tyson.
His work shift on the farm is mid-morning to the end of afternoon milking.
Tyson travelled by train or bus to Sale; and Colleen would drive in and out of Sale twice a day to meet his train or bus.
Tyson began working on the farm more than six months ago, and has since gained his car license and recently bought a car.
He has ambition to achieve more, including learning to drive a tractor.
“Tyson started working for us 10 days after his release from prison, and he’s been working with us for six months, which is great,” Colleen said.
“I think his attitude really plays a big part. He’s been given an opportunity, and he’s grabbed that with both hands.
“He’s got his license, he’s bought himself a car, he’s holding down a job.
“He does the afternoon milking on his own, he brings in the cows, he’s responsible for hygiene in the dairy, and he maintains and services the cup removers.
“He sprays weeds and fixes fences.
“We tell him what needs to be done during his shift and he prioritises his tasks.”
Tyson said learning to become a dairy farmer was about turning his life around. He said he wanted to be an example to other prisoners about what they could do to improve their lives.
“Doing the course, and this opportunity with Colleen and Garry, I think it’s setting me up for the rest of my life,” Tyson said.
“It makes me feel good, that I’m doing something with my life now.”
Tyson is also being mentored by Aaron Thomas, a dairy farmer in Gippsland, who is regularly in face-to-face and phone contact.
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