Kingaroy based DFMC supplier Jason Tessmann has been selected to participate in the Proud To Be A Dairy Farmer program and is heading to Melbourne for an intensive three day event squarely focused on our industry.  The goal of the program is to attract, support and retain better informed people within the dairy industry.  It focuses on a broad range of relevant topics with guest speakers, farm visits, milk processing facility tours and a formal dinner with industry leaders.

Immediately following the formalities of the AGM over 150 DFMC members and people from across the Darling Downs came together for the Grassroots to Greatness lunch with Queensland Rugby League great Wayne Bennett.  As some may be aware, Bega sponsor the Dolphin NRL team and so we were able to use connections to secure Wayne for the event and partner with the Toowoomba Metropolitan Rotary Club to raise funds for the Rotary District Drought Appeal’s Community Support Card – a unique ‘credit card’ concept delivered to farmers struggling in drought conditions via independent rural financial counsellors.  These cards help to make sure that the funds raised locally (across southern Queensland) are kept in local communities.

Wayne Bennett spoke on his early years developing his career in coaching, the value of leadership and the importance of creating a strong team environment and culture to ensure the highest level of outcomes.

The event generated significant interest on the Downs with three television channels turning up to cover the event.

Following 12 years on the DFMC board, including 6 as chair, Andrew Burnett has decided to stand down to devote more time to his family and farm.  At the recent AGM in Toowoomba Andrew was presented with a gift on behalf of all members and a couple of attendees took the opportunity to publicly thank Andrew for his time on the board and as chair.  Des Trevor, a member who drove to Toowoomba for the event from Far North Queensland with his wife Cheryl, rose to address attendees thanking Andrew for his time on the board representing farmers.  Deputy chair Trevor Middlebrook also addressed the AGM, sharing Des’ sentiments and empathising with Andrew’s reasons having stood down himself after an earlier stint on the board with similar motivations.

At a brief board meeting, held immediately after each AGM, Trevor Middlebrook was elected as chair.  As Trevor was deputy chair the directors voted Andrew Wilson from Victoria to fill the role.

As Andrew is no longer a director and no other members nominated for the position of Director for Region 2, South-East Queensland, Ross McInnes has offered to fill the casual vacancy.  Ross has vast experience “beyond the farmgate” with significant stints on the Sub-Tropical Dairy and QDO boards.

Independent director John Maher has unfortunately also had to resign his position.  John sits on several other boards and has been asked to take on some significant extra responsibilities that make it too difficult to contribute to the DFMC board as well.  The board will nominate Michael Scales, who has significant commercial experience including in the agribusiness sector.  Michael attended the AGM as an observer and members will now have information and ballot instructions for return on January 10, 2024.