A flag designed by a Telford student is now flying proudly above the Balclutha campus, symbolising both the institution’s rich rural heritage and the future pathways it creates for the next generation of New Zealand’s agricultural workforce.
Olivene de Jong, who is studying the New Zealand Certificate in Rural Animal Healthcare Assistance (Level 4) at Telford, was recently announced as the winner of a competition open to students to design a new campus flag.
Originally from Matamata, Olivene chose to study at Telford because of its practical, hands-on approach to learning and the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience through work placements and on-farm training.
She first discovered Telford through her high school careers adviser, who encouraged her to attend a Telford Taster Camp in July 2025. “After attending the camp, I knew that Telford was somewhere I could see myself studying, and it gave me a good idea of what the hands-on learning environment would be like,” she said.
Inspired by Telford’s long history of agricultural education, Olivene set out to create a design that reflected both the campus and the wide range of opportunities it offers students.
“When designing the flag, I wanted to create something that represented Telford’s history, its agricultural roots and the different areas of education that make Telford unique, while still looking simple and meaningful,” she said.
The design features the iconic Telford stone house, representing the place where students come together to learn and begin their careers. Nugget Point is instantly recognisable as a feature of the surrounding South Otago landscape, while a pathway leading out from the building reflects the journeys students take as they develop skills and move into rural industries.
Agricultural and animal elements are also incorporated into the design, recognising the breadth of programmes offered at Telford and the industries they support.
“I wanted the overall design to reflect both Telford’s heritage and its future, showing how the institute continues to prepare students for careers in the agricultural industry,” Olivene said.
Although the competition marked her first flag design, creativity has long been one of Olivene’s passions. She originally painted the design freehand on acrylic paper using watercolours, art pens and paint before it was adapted for production.
When the winner of the competition was announced the result came as a surprise.
“When I found out that my design had been chosen, I was honestly shocked and really excited. I didn’t expect my design to be selected, so it was a really special moment to find out that something I had created would become part of Telford,” she said.
The new flag made its first public appearance during Telford’s sod-turning ceremony on 8 September, marking the beginning of a major campus refurbishment project.
Olivene joined Telford Campus Manager Allan Roxburgh in raising the flag during the event, attended by Minister for Tertiary Education Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture Hon Mark Patterson, SIT Council Chair Rex Chapman and Deputy Chair Maree Howden, SIT Chief Executive Officer Bharat Guha, members of the Telford Farm Board, staff, students, local stakeholders and community supporters.
For Olivene, seeing her design flying above the campus was a proud and memorable moment.
“Telford has become an important part of my journey, and I’m proud that I have been able to contribute something creative and meaningful to the place where I am studying. It’s really special knowing that the flag represents Telford and its students, and that I will be able to look back on it as a part of my time here.”
Telford is a campus of the Southern Institute of Technology