The recent annual general meeting of GippsDairy saw changes in the board of management, discussion about financial accountability and encouraging young dairy farmers into governance roles and the announcement of an urgently-needed Q fever vaccination program.
The Macalister Irrigation District in Gippsland is ground zero for high incidences of Q fever, in comparison to other dairy regions.
In 2023, Gippsland comprised 36.3 per cent of all diagnosed Q fever cases in Victoria, but accounted for only four per cent of the state’s population.
At this year’s Dairy Muster, the board of GippsDairy announced it was lobbying for a government-supported Q fever vaccination program in Gippsland.
GippsDairy board chair Sarah O’Brien said financial support had been committed and vaccination dates were in the process of being confirmed with local medical clinics.
Vaccination dates will be publicised through GippsDairy’s online and direct communications with dairy farmers.
At its annual general meeting on October 16, the board of GippsDairy was confirmed with a mix of continuing, returned and new directors.
Continuing farmer directors are Mick Hughes (Inverloch), Sarah O’Brien (Dennison), Aaron Thomas (Won Wron) and Lisa Broad (Wonthaggi). Continuing specialist director is Tony Platt, representing Rabobank.
Returning farm director is Ken Lawrence, whose dairy farm is at Jindivick, and returning specialist directors are Burra Foods milk supply manager Peter Fort and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority chief executive officer Martin Fuller.
Stratford’s Jessica Knight had completed her three-year term as a farmer director and was farewelled with appreciation for her contribution. Upper Maffra West dairy farmer Raelene Hanratty was elected into this vacant position.
Sarah was re-elected chair of the board, Ken was re-elected deputy chair and Mick was re-elected secretary and public officer.
The board endorsed a recommendation for an associate member status, with non-voting rights.
“We want to attract young dairy farmers into representative and governance roles, and we’ve decided this is one way we can do that,” Sarah said.
“They will be mentored and able to learn governance skills that they can take into other roles.”
It is also part of succession planning for the board.
“As a board director of GippsDairy, they will also be paid for the time they contribute,” Sarah said.
“We want them to feel valued.”
GippsDairy will open an expression of interest process to facilitate appointment.
Sarah also acknowledged the strictures of a tightening budget on the delivery of extension and support services by GippsDairy staff.
Base funding for the organisation from Dairy Australia is based on the number of dairy farms and milk production in Gippsland. The funding model is also affected by funding commitments to Ellinbank Research Station in West Gippsland.
“Karen McLennan (executive officer of GippsDairy) and her staff have done a stellar job of work and extension in Gippsland,” Sarah said.
“Our budget within Gippsland – and of course across all the dairy regions of Australia – has been in decline.
“It has been difficult to make choices around what we can do, what we would like to do and what we actually can do.
“So there’s been a lot of vigorous conversation around the board table this past year. That has encouraged the board to think really long and hard.
“Karen and her team have done an amazing job of securing $506,000 in grants and sponsorship, to add to our bottom line, to deliver programs and offer resources to farmers in Gippsland in this past year.
“I appreciate that our service providers recognise the vision and what we’re trying to do here in GippsDairy and put their money behind what we’re doing.
“They have joined us to do some amazing events through Gippsland.”
Sarah said the board’s expectation was that core funding would remain tight going forward.
With funding support from Latrobe Valley Authority, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Gardiner Foundation, in October GippsDairy facilitated a series of strategy workshops with farmers and service providers across Gippsland and online.
“We’re developing a whole of industry strategy that’s looking at pre and post-farmgate, involving farmers, advocacy bodies, dairy industry leadership groups and service providers,” Sarah said.
In the next 12 months, GippsDairy’s program delivery will shift in focus to supporting on-farm profitability, a change that has already become apparent.