Liz Ellis might be best known as an Australian netball legend, but she also has a connection to dairy farming.
Liz was guest speaker at the Great South West Ladies’ Luncheon in Warrnambool on August 15 and could reflect on her own farming journey, along with her notable sporting achievements.
“Apart from being big milk drinkers, my father-in-law was a dairy farmer and my husband grew up on a dairy,” she said.
“He’s a beef farmer today, so I have a bit of insight into the farming industry and a first-hand view about how much of a gamble farming is.
“With farming, you never know where the next bushfires, figuratively speaking, can start.”
Liz enjoys the farming environment.
“We travelled through this area a couple of years ago and were blown away by the beauty and lushness of the dairy country,” she said.
“We live near Byron Bay, which used to be a big dairying region, but the industry there seems to be under a bit of pressure at the moment.”
She told the crowd of 320 about the benefits of playing sport.
“Being involved in sport is so great physically and for your mental health,” she said.
And it can also contribute to self-confidence.
“It was interesting listening to the panel this morning about how to get started in the industry.
The big thing was that it’s not a lack of skills, it’s belief in yourself.
“I like to speak a bit about believing in yourself and that finding someone who believes in you can be equally as powerful.
“The great thing about a lunch like this is that you will find someone who believes in you.”
Liz is regarded by many as one the greatest defenders to play netball, winning three world titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, four national league titles and MVP awards with the Sydney Swifts.
She became the national captain in 2004 and remains the most capped player in Australian netball history.
Since retiring in 2007, she has forged a successful career in the media and as a coach.